Fifty-year-old BEC continues to innovate and educate on environment’s sustainability
By Sam DeLong
New leadership at the Butte Environmental Council is ushering in a renewed push for sustainability in 2026. Executive Director Courtney Ellignton, who joined the organization in March, describes stepping into the role as a “perfect storm” of timing, experience and community connection.
“I was already involved in the community—composting—and had an executive background,” Ellignton said. “When the position became available, I was contacted and told I’d be perfect for it.”
BEC was founded in 1975, with an early focus on recycling awareness. In 2025, it celebrated its 50th anniversary with a “Golden Gala” at Chico’s Lakeside Pavilion.
Ellignton has long advocated for protecting the land, air and water of Butte County—a mission at the core of BEC’s work. She operates a 14-acre farm in Oroville and graduated from the California Farm Academy in 2020, where she later taught. She also brings more than 20 years of executive experience, including her role as director of One Vet, One Voice, a program that helps military veterans transition into civilian careers.
Since taking the helm, Ellignton is focusing on expanding several key programs. Among them is the Drop in the Bucket Program, which encourages residents to reduce food waste through composting their food scraps. Like recycling, this program helps divert waste from the landfill.
“We give them a bucket and return once a week,” she said. “We add the material to our compost pile, and we’re working on building food waste stations across Butte County.” Ellignton noted plans to expand programs across the North Valley, including Chico, Oroville, Gridley, Paradise and Biggs.
BEC also organizes an annual creeks cleanup and continues to educate the public on environmental policies affecting local land, air and water. Ellignton also serves on the board of the Butte County Local Food Network, where BEC collaborates on the GROWN program to bring environmental education into schools.
“They have the gardens, and we bring composting programs into schools,” she said. “We teach kids about recycling, reducing waste and the process of worm composting.” Also known as vermicomposting, worm composting uses worms to break down food scraps like eggshells into nutrient-rich soil.
A lot has changed since the early days of BEC’s recycling program. For Ellignton, hands-on education is key to addressing confusion around recycling. “Recycling has become complicated, and I’ve experienced that myself,” she said. “People want to know how to recycle and where to go.”
To help, BEC is revamping its website to include a directory of local recycling locations, along with clear descriptions to make the process easier for residents.
The organization also offers multiple ways for the community to get involved, from volunteering and membership programs to hands-on efforts like tree planting and community gardens.
“We have opportunities for volunteering, as well as membership options,” Ellignton said. “We also work with countywide committees focused on community engagement and environmental issues.”
The 50-year-strong environmental advocacy group acquires its funding primarily through grants such as RARE Recycling, Next Generation Water, Trees Please, and support from a PG&E grant program.
BEC has taken opportunities for advocacy beyond the boundaries of Butte County. A 1986 collaboration with the Sierra Club helped secure environmental protections for roughly 6,000 acres, including forested areas in Buckley, Washington, and the Ishi Wilderness in Lassen National Forest just outside of Red Bluff.
Now, with summer approaching, BEC is preparing for a slate of local events, including its long-running Endangered Species Faire on May 2, 2026. Returning for its 47th year, the event will feature a parade, live entertainment and interactive activities for all ages in Bidwell Park’s Cedar Grove.
“At the faire, kids will be able to make puppets of endangered species,” Ellignton said. “We’ll also have educational booths and activities for the whole community.”
Ellignton is also developing a Youth Environmental Literacy Program, which she hopes to launch as an after-school advocacy initiative this summer.
Through expanded programming and community partnerships, the Butte Environmental Council is positioning itself as a hub for local action on environmental preservation, food waste, nutrition, and the health of the region’s air and water.
For more information, community members can visit the BEC website.
Be the first to comment