The 2nd Annual Green Drinks/LoaTree Lounge:

Please join LoaTree Presents as we host the 2nd Annual Green Drinks/LoaTree Lounge at SOhO Restaurant and Music Venue in a benefit for the Community Environmental Council’s annual Earth Day Celebration!

For more information and to buy tix, please click here!

Join the LoaTree’s Green Drinks crew for another evening of networking and interaction with eco-professionals, community advocates and influencers from around the region.

Our guest for the evening is Kasey Kersnowski, the Managing Editor of E-Media for Ventura-based outdoor clothing company, Patagonia. With 13 years under his belt, Kasey’s current responsibilities include managing Patagonia.com, email marketing and social media, including the care and maintenance of Patagonia’s blog, ‘The Cleanest Line.’

Come find out how Patagonia uses social media and e-tools to continuously promote their brand, their product, and corporate responsibility.

Adama Vegan Cuisine has again offered to graciously host our event. Bring a friend and an appetite!

We’re stoked.

Just this week we surrounded ourselves with friends, clients and some of our local movers and shakers to appreciate and acknowledge the work that is being done collectively along the Central Coast and beyond.

As Margaret Mead stated long ago, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world…” Indeed. Well, on the night of our little Gratitude Party, a small group of thoughtful, artistic and happy citizens painted a 7 foot tall Gratitude painting, courtesy of our friend Whitney. Executive directors, children, foundation presidents, activists, foodies and others all took their shot. It was a beautiful thing.

And it goes to show that amidst the craziness and high stakes games many of us are involved in as we build a better world, we can’t forget the simple things like color, laughter, fun and…painting.

Want some live party painting in your life?  Let us know!

We threw ourselves into the ‘event’ business to connect with people and spread the LoaTree vibe. Santa Barbara Earth Day, the SOL Food Festival, the Quivira Coalition Conference and the monthly Green Drinks are all significant projects of LoaTree on an annual basis. These are wonderful opportunities to work with diverse and talented team members, to connect with a wide variety of businesses and organizations and to throw big community celebrations with real educational and personal value. At the end of the day, all of these events create invaluable connections and chemistry between people, germination happens and new shoots and ideas arise. THIS is why we build community because when we lean on each other a bit, when we leverage each other’s inspirations then we create that elusive ‘magic’…that chemistry…and we need more of this during these challenging times.

2012′s LoaTree events are going to be good. Join us monthly at Green Drinks if you want to keep in the know or simply join us every once in a while for the best eco-parties in town.

2012 is going to ROCK!

When we all came together 3 years ago, Earth Day was in a bit of a transition. It was located at the Santa Barbara Courthouse and about 12k – 15k people attending. Fast forward to 3 years down the road and we are now at Alameda Park, the Festival is 2 days long, and last year we almost hit 40,000 people.

Most important, we are becoming more effective at reaching festival goers with tangible actions, examples and messages to inspire more sustainable living. This year’s Earth Day is on April 21 and 22nd and the theme is “Mobilize for the Earth.”

We are PUMPED to be working on this again with such an outstanding team. Stay tuned for more details.

Keep up to date on all the action by following Santa Barbara Earth Day on Facebook and Twitter.

LOCAL OFFICIALS AND ADVOCATES PROMOTE PLASTIC BAG BAN
UCSB Students Join Forces to Reduce Plastic Consumption

UC Santa Barbara, Ca.- A campus-wide campaign focused on reducing plastic use is underway, as students seek to promote policies and lifestyles that reduce plastic use on and around campus. In addition to campus-based efforts, UCSB organizations are joining forces with community groups and leaders who are also looking to reduce plastic use in the greater Santa Barbara region.

WHAT: Press Conference- Student groups will join with local elected officials and environmental advocacy organizations to promote a plastic bag ban in the City and County of Santa Barbara.

In the last year, 14 cities and counties in California banned plastic bags. Although a statewide ban will be introduced in Sacramento later this year, advocates are encouraging the city and county of Santa Barbara to take action today. Every year, Californian’s use 12 BILLION single-use plastic bags, of which less than 5% are recycled, causing great impact to coastal, marine and environmental resources.

Photo opportunities available, including a giant rubber duck made from recyclable materials collected at local beaches. Student representatives and others available for interviews.

WHO: Kathleen Reddington, Carpinteria City Council Member

Daniella Russo, Executive Director, Plastic Pollution Coalition

Kira Redmond, Santa Barbara ChannelKeeper

Tim Benson, External Vice President, UCSB Associated Students

WHEN: Friday, January 13th, 2011, 12:00pm

WHERE: The Arbor (in front of the Davidson library) at UCSB. Parking lot #3 is the closest lot. It is accessed via Lagoon Road on East campus.

The press conference is being organized by the UCSB Plastic Pollution Coalition, a coalition of student organizations that share a common goal to implement local policies aimed at curbing plastics consumption through education and advocacy.

For more information, please contact Matt Gilliland at 510-541-5157 or by email at mgilliland12@gmail.com.

-###-

If ever there was a time to harness the collective energy from the people, places and things on this Earth, that time is now. We’re living in a time of unprecedented change and opportunity in which we hold the power to literally dictate our own future.

To that end, LoaTree has spent the last year partnering with a diverse and powerful contingent of some of the most forward thinking, well-meaning and passionate organizations and individuals in our region. The goals being accomplished in pursuit of sustainability are extremely noteworthy. However, our goal is and has always been to leverage the unique abilities of our partners and networks with those of others to build a better world.

As we move forward, LoaTree will challenge ourselves and our partners to think beyond individual interests, always considering the greater good. As we know, the Commons have been tragically manipulated for far too long, resulting in great damage to communities, natural resources and the even abilities of many to live and be inspired.

In 2012, LoaTree will keep the Commons at the forefront of everything we do, say, and act. We will push the mantra of sustainability in ways that will touch your eyes, your skin, your ears and stoke your inspiration. We will broaden our base to include new allies, partners and clients as we build resilience and diversity among our communities.

And importantly, we will whistle while we work.

We hope to laugh, play, work and eat with you in the days and months ahead. There will be no tragedy in our Commons.

-eric

Check out the rest of our January 2012 newsletter here!

This years team will add some new faces as well…stay tuned. And if you want to get involved in Earth Day this year, let us know!

Interestingly, ancient Mayan and Chinese cultures viewed 2012 as a critical shifting point for humanity on planet Earth. While there is great disagreement on what these changes might entail, many agree that great change is indeed upon us. As we continue unsustainably depleting natural resources, increasing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, clear cutting rain forests, contaminating our oceans, and conducting ‘business as usual,’ there are many reasons for concern.

At the same time, there is a movement of inspired and dedicated people, organizations, businesses and partnerships rising to tackle these challenges head on. There is a ‘rebirthing’ of ideals and ideas that at times it seems we have forgotten. Cooperation, artistic expression, gratitude, equity, and a drive for the common good. LoaTree believes that these principles will become increasingly important in the coming days, months, and years ahead.

Internally, LoaTree has referred to this rebirth as the ‘Eco-Renaissance.’ In 2012, LoaTree will bring new programs and projects intended to promote this re-emergence…the belief in our collective ability to heal our planet and ourselves by doing good. Art, music, celebration, and hard work are on the horizon. It is our hope and expectation that you will join us on this wild ride in the unpredictable times in this beautiful and crazy thing we call Life.

And Life is Good.

LoaTree host’s Santa Barbara Green drinks on every third Tuesday of the month, each month at a different location around town (there will be NO December 2011 Green Drinks). The Lobero, SOhO, Arch Rock Fish, Savoy Cafe and Deli and others have graciously opened up their doors to Santa Barbara’s eco-movers and shakers. Guest speakers, conscious conversation, good people, tasty food and drinks. This is your opportunity to connect and get plugged in…get your network on!

Stay tuned for our next gathering on Facebook at Santa Barbara Green Drinks!

Photos by Stacey Marie Photography