Two Santa Barbara County Museums Receive Prestigious Sustainability Awards from California Agencies
Santa Barbara, CA. August 9, 2021 – The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) and the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature both received prestigious awards for sustainability from the California Association of Museums and the California Natural Resources Agency. The Secretary’s Awards for Excellence in Sustainability Competition recognize the outstanding achievements in sustainability for California museum projects in two areas: public education, or internal operations projects. SBMM received the Secretary’s Public Education Award for Sustainability, and the Wildling Museum of Art & Nature won the award for Operational Sustainability. https://www.calmuseums.org/Public/Public/ACT/Awards/Secretary_s_Award.aspx
Of the awards, California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot said, “We are proud to partner with the California Association of Museums in recognizing cultural institutions and museums who are doing extraordinary work in advancing environmental sustainability; and we do that by issuing the Secretary’s Sustainability Awards.”
The SBMM and Wildling Museum’s Awards were received for the following programs:
Programmatic Recognition: Santa Barbara Maritime Museum – Maritime on the Move (MotM) is an outdoor experiential program where students explore local habitats with trained naturalists. The focused curriculum includes the Santa Barbara Channel, human interaction with the ocean, environmental conservation, and biodiversity while highlighting what students can do to actively impact the sustainability of our planet. On hearing the news of the Secretary’s recognition, Executive Director Greg Gorga said, “SBMM is honored to receive this award from the California Association of Museums, and we are especially pleased to have our good friends at the Wilding Museum also receive recognition. Maritime on the Move is an amazing program that encourages students to explore and protect the rich history and resources of our Santa Barbara Channel.”
Operational Recognition: Wildling Museum of Art and Nature ‒ The Greening of a Small Museum. The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is a Green Certified Business and has incorporated as many sustainable features as affordable. The solar installation on the roof of the museum is the most recent sustainable accomplishment. A new board-approved sustainability policy, as of January 2021, will continue to move the museum forward in the months and years to come. On hearing of the Wilding’s award, Executive Director Stacey Otte Demangate said, “We are so honored to be recognized for our efforts to operate sustainably. Our new solar panel system is a major improvement for us, made possible thanks to the Solarize Nonprofit program of the Community Environmental Council. The award is that much sweeter because our friends at the Maritime Museum are also being honored this year.”
The winning programs will be presented with their awards at the virtual Green Museums Seminar on September 30, 2021 and representatives will give a short presentation about their award-winning program.
About the Wildling Museum The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, where art and nature meet, offers visitors a unique perspective on the importance of preserving our natural heritage. Through the eyes of artists, and education and field experiences, guests can renew their relationship with the wilderness and understand its fragile nature – hopefully leaving more committed toward ensuring those spaces remain for future generations. Additional digital resources are available at www.wildlingmuseum.org/virtual-visit, including online galleries from all current exhibitions, links to art activities, videos, and more to help online visitors experience the museum from home. The Wildling Museum is located at 1511-B Mission Drive, Solvang, CA 93463. For more information, and to volunteer or join as a member to support this important local arts and nature institution, please visit www.wildlingmuseum.org.
About Santa Barbara Maritime Museum Since 2000, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum has featured many artifacts and stories to share the history of the Santa Barbara Channel with more than 40,000 visitors annually, and it provides year-round experiential maritime history and marine science education for local youth. Featuring the impressive First-Order Fresnel Lighthouse Lens from Point Conception, SBMM’s current exhibits explore the History of Oil in Santa Barbara Channel & Chumash Use of Asphaltum, the Honda Disaster, and Wives and Daughters: Keepers of the Light. Additional digital resources are available at www.sbmm.org including online exhibits and art shows, educational lectures, behind the scenes stories, links to art activities, SBMM At Home, videos, and more to help online visitors experience the museum. SBMM is located at the historic Santa Barbara Harbor at 113 Harbor Way, Suite 190, Santa Barbara, CA 93109. Visit sbmm.org or call (805) 962-8404 for further details.