On October 8, 2026, over 100 middle school students from Inyo and Mono Counties will gather at the Cerro Coso Community College – Eastern Sierra College Center in Bishop for the 4th Annual Future Green Leaders Summit. This event, presented by the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) and the County of Los Angeles, aims to connect students with early access to careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), particularly those related to sustainability and energy efficiency.
The summit, running from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 4090 W Line Street, marks the first time this annual event will be held in Inyo County, serving students from both Inyo and Mono County school districts. It is designed to engage rural schools, addressing historical resource gaps, and empowering young people to consider pathways toward a cleaner future.
Participants will experience a dynamic, immersive program. Activities include hands-on experience in product design, storytelling through film and music, induction cooking, and building a dream sustainable community. Students will explore diverse career pathways that focus on reducing carbon emissions and fostering a more resilient planet. The event provides direct engagement with leaders in the field, such as filmmaker Adèle Jacques, Thomas Yount, and AY Young, a singer-songwriter and United Nations Young Leader. AY Young uses music and clean-energy-powered performances to connect young people with opportunities in California’s green economy. Students will also explore STEAM exhibits and resource fair booths hosted by various government and industry partners, alongside student breakout sessions.
Michael Owh, Director of the County of Los Angeles Internal Services Department, emphasized the event's purpose, stating the Summit "ignites curiosity and enthusiasm" in every community it visits. He conveyed the hope that students will recognize their potential to achieve goals for a resilient, sustainable world. Other experts engaging with students include Katherine Ferwerda, Craig Provost, and Thomas Yount, who designed the game "Climate Cooldown."
The summit supports the career readiness goals of participating school districts and is offered at no cost to schools. This event is closed to the public.
For many middle schoolers, this annual summit serves as their initial exposure to careers in sustainability and green technology. Since its inception in 2023, the Future Green Leaders Summit has inspired 2,700 students through previous events held in regions such as Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, and San Bernardino.
The growing demand for resilient workforce skills in Eastern California underscores the importance of such initiatives. Inyo and Mono counties rely heavily on tourism, outdoor recreation, and public land management for employment and economic growth. Opportunities in climate adaptation, ecosystem management, and renewable energy are expanding in these areas. Parts of Eastern California face significant socioeconomic and environmental challenges, including elevated pollution in agricultural and transit areas, declining Sierra Nevada snowpack, and severe wildfire risks. Supporting jobs in green fields is crucial for addressing these vulnerabilities.
Statewide, clean energy employment in California reached over 551,600 workers in 2024, driven by consistent growth in energy efficiency and clean technology sectors. The Summit allows students to experience these exciting career opportunities and educational pathways in a fun, youth-friendly environment.
SoCalREN, the presenting organization, focuses on workforce education and training programs, including those that introduce young people from disadvantaged communities to clean energy careers. Beyond this early exposure, SoCalREN also administers the Architecture, Construction, Engineering and Sustainability (ACES) Pathway Program. Over the past 11 years, the ACES program has connected more than 2,300 high school students from Title I schools to STEM education and career opportunities, with participants collectively earning over $283,000 through paid summer internships.
The Future Green Leaders Summit is a collaborative effort between local government, private industry, and higher education institutions. Its core mission is to promote diversity and inclusion by connecting underserved youth with early exposure to what is described as one of the nation’s fastest-growing job markets. The SoCalREN Programs are administered by the County of Los Angeles and funded by California utility ratepayers under the California Public Utilities Commission.