Explore Ecology Is Our New Name
Art From Scrap is different from other arts entities in the South Coast as we are not limited to aesthetic endeavors. For the past twenty-one years, we have combined art and environmental awareness and promoted both caring for the planet and creative expression. To better represent the range of our programs and to strengthen community awareness of our environmental education mission, we are changing our name from Art from Scrap to Explore Ecology.
The Art From Scrap ReUse Store, art center, and gallery play a major role in providing Santa Barbarans with a source of affordable and sustainable art supplies, waste reduction environmental education, weekly art workshops and an art gallery. Explore Ecology’s Executive Director Cay Sanchez says, “Protecting existing programs is important and Art From Scrap will be here for years to come. While Art From Scrap is well known for our ReUse retail store and arts center, we also conduct reduce, reuse, recycle field trips at the AFS Center for thousands of students each year.” Our Reuse Store, art center and gallery will still be called Art From Scrap.
Environmental education is one of our primary programs. Every year over 12,000 students engage in hands-on activities and learning experiences focused on solid waste management and water quality issues. Our education programs help people understand how environmental topics are interconnected and how their personal actions can improve the environment.
We also operate the Watershed Resource Center at Arroyo Burro Beach, a site for school and community education programs, connecting clean creeks and healthy ocean waters with our personal habits.
Over the past 21 years our innovative and creative approach to teaching the value of protecting and preserving our environment has been a key component in creating the strong environmental ethos and awareness that exists in Santa Barbara County. As Explore Ecology we will continue to motivate and inspire a new generation. Sanchez says, “We are thrilled to have evolved into Explore Ecology. As advocates of environmental education and art discovery, we’re so proud to be acknowledging the breadth and depth of our services. We want to thank the community for their continued support and participation with us over the past twenty one years. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating our evolution into Explore Ecology.”
Josh was born and raised in Santa Barbara, where his passion and curiosity for the environment began and has continued to grow. During his undergraduate studies, Josh pursued this interest at the University of California at Santa Cruz, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies.
Melissa Dodos developed her passion for creative reuse as a mother of four and elementary educator over the past 25 years. She loves to inspire creativity by connecting people with resources and ideas.
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife.
Stephanie began her journey as an educator over twenty years ago working as a preschool teacher in Washington state for a cooperative preschool program affiliated with Whatcom Community College. She loved observing the wonder and curiosity of the children and bringing them out into nature to explore the natural world. She continued her love for learning and got her teaching license and then her Montessori certification and worked as an elementary teacher in Tribal, Public, and Montessori schools. She collaborated to create a school garden and her students loved it so much that it became a special place where they could garden, read, explore, play, and it provided a safe sanctuary for students to calm down and reset when they were having difficult moments.
Morgan’s mermaid soul is always seeking adventure—swimming a relay across the Santa Barbara Channel and taking the first photo of a newborn orca off Anacapa Island being standout experiences close to home.
Lindsay Johnson