7. Ellen Strickland Founder of Livingreen Through her practice she discovered the health implications of various building materials she used in exhibit displays and structures. For her own health and that of others she felt compelled to research healthier choices in building materials and furnishings. Understanding that this information wasn’t widely known or distributed; and that the materials were almost impossible to come by for the average builder and home owner she set out to establish a retail outlet for green building supplies and furnishings. This resulted in the first Livingreen Store in Santa Barbara which opened in 2000. In 2006 she open her second store in Culver City and Livingreen Online went live this year-2007 and the Montecito store will open on November 2nd, 2007 Ellen Strickland began her professional career in interpretive planning and design. Her specialty was educational programming and exhibition design that encouraged learning through interactive fun.