Deckers and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History: Roots of a Community Partnership

By Michelle L. Apodaca

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is a special gem in our community. For generations, it has served as a place where children encounter science through wonder, families learn together, and adults continue discovering the richness of the Central Coast’s natural and cultural heritage. From school field trips and hands-on education to exhibits that bring prehistoric creatures, local ecosystems, and regional history to life, the Museum offers incredible educational opportunities for both children and adults.

A Partnership That Has Evolved Over Time

Deckers’ relationship with the Museum dates back to at least 2012, when the Museum was among the local organizations recognized as part of Deckers’ broader commitment to Santa Barbara philanthropy. By 2015 and 2016, Deckers was supporting major Museum exhibits and centennial programming, reinforcing the company’s belief that strong local institutions enrich the lives of employees, families, and neighbors.

The partnership has also extended to programming that honors the region’s Indigenous heritage. Deckers supported Supak’a, a Chumash cultural event hosted at the Museum, which brought together Chumash communities to share cultural knowledge, storytelling, dance, language, and traditional practices with the public. Supporting programming like this reflects the importance of preserving cultural heritage while creating opportunities for broader community learning and connection.

Last year, Museum staff designed a whimsical sticker to commemorate Deckers’ long-term support.

More recently, Deckers has continued to support the Museum through both financial contributions and employee engagement. Over the past decade-plus, Deckers has donated more than $180,000 in support of the Museum’s educational programs, exhibits, and Chumash Indian programming. This support has been provided through annual gifts, exhibit sponsorships, special program support, and proceeds from the Deckers Retail Store. In 2024, during Deckers’ Art of Kindness week, 30 local Deckers volunteers contributed approximately 150 hours of service at the Museum, helping move, sort, inventory, and organize educational supplies and periodicals. This hands-on volunteer effort demonstrated that Deckers’ relationship with the Museum is not only about financial support—it is also about employees showing up in meaningful ways for partners that strengthen the community. Several of our employees have even served on the Board of Directors for the Museum.

Deckers volunteers pitched in to help organize a mountain of educational supplies for the Museum.

Connecting Community Giving to Deckers’ Broader Strategy

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History fits squarely within the giving strategy Deckers has developed through Deckers Gives. The company’s philanthropy focuses on areas including Belonging, Community, Education, Environment, and Uplifting Youth. The Museum touches several of these priorities at once: it advances education through hands-on learning, supports community access to cultural and scientific resources, uplifts youth through school and family programming, and deepens environmental awareness through exhibits and experiences rooted in the natural world.

For Deckers, supporting the Museum is also an extension of its long-standing commitment to the place it calls home. With corporate headquarters in Goleta, Deckers has consistently invested in organizations that strengthen Santa Barbara County and create opportunities for employees and community members to engage with causes that matter. The Museum’s role as an educational, cultural, and environmental anchor makes it a natural partner for Deckers Gives.

The Museum Backyard epitomizes the opportunities valued by Deckers Gives, especially hands-on learning and experiences rooted in the natural world.

Looking Ahead

As Deckers looks ahead, its relationship with the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History remains a strong example of purpose-led community partnership. More than a decade of support reflects a shared belief that education, culture, and connection to nature are essential to a thriving community. Through financial giving, retail giveback efforts, and employee volunteerism, Deckers has helped sustain a local institution that continues to spark curiosity, preserve important stories, and inspire people of all ages. For the month of August, the Deckers Retail Store is dedicated to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, with a percentage of proceeds continuing to benefit and support the Museum’s educational programming.

Oxnard elementary students share a lightbulb moment during a school field trip in the Museum Backyard.

Deckers Retail Store details: Join us during the month of August to benefit the Museum. We believe we are the best place to buy shoes locally and our team is always ready to help you find the perfect pair. The Deckers Retail Store is located at 6601 Hollister Ave, Goleta, CA 93117. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM; closed Sunday. For questions, the store can be reached at 805-728-1640. Our team looks forward to seeing you!

About the Author
Michelle L. Apodaca is Director of Deckers Gives at Deckers Brands, where she leads the company's global giving strategy and partners across brands, nonprofit organizations, and the Corporate Responsibility team to advance social and environmental impact. Since joining Deckers in 2005, she has held leadership roles supporting the company's executive offices, board administration, and philanthropic initiatives. A longtime Santa Barbara community leader, Michelle has served on regional nonprofit and business advisory boards and has been recognized with honors including Pacific Coast Business Times' Top 50 Women in Business, Girls Inc.'s Woman of Inspiration and Strong, Smart and Bold Award, and the Chamber of the Santa Barbara Region's Businesswoman of the Year. She holds a bachelor of science in linguistics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and continues to live in Santa Barbara with her family.