More than 100 middle school students from across Inyo and Mono counties are set to attend the 4th Annual Future Green Leaders Summit, an event designed to introduce them to careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) and sustainable technologies. The summit will take place on October 8, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Cerro Coso Community College – Eastern Sierra College Center, located at 4090 W Line St in Bishop.
This marks the first time the annual summit will be held in Inyo County, also serving students from Mono County. The event is presented by the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) and the County of Los Angeles. It aims to provide students in rural schools, which have historically faced resource gaps, with early access to opportunities in the dynamic sustainability and energy efficiency industry.
The summit offers a dynamic and immersive experience. Participants will engage in hands-on activities such as product design, storytelling through film and music, induction cooking demonstrations, and designing their own sustainable communities. These activities are designed to spark passion for green careers and explore diverse pathways that contribute to reducing carbon emissions and creating a healthier planet.
Students will also have the opportunity to interact directly with leaders in the field. These include filmmaker Adèle Jacques, Thomas Yount, creator of the game “Climate Cooldown,” and AY Young, a singer-songwriter and United Nations Young Leader. Young, founder of Battery Tour, utilizes music and clean-energy-powered performances to link young people with career and technology opportunities in California's green economy. Additionally, students will explore various STEAM exhibits and resource fair booths hosted by government and industry partners, alongside participating in student breakout sessions.
Michael Owh, Director of the County of Los Angeles Internal Services Department, emphasized the summit's goal to empower the next generation. He stated that each year, in every community visited, the summit "ignites curiosity and enthusiasm" and aims to provide every student with access to opportunities and tools for a cleaner, brighter future. The event is offered at no cost to participating schools and is closed to the public.
For Inyo and Mono counties, where tourism, outdoor recreation, and public land management represent significant employment and economic sectors, supporting jobs in climate adaptation, ecosystem management, and renewable energy is vital. Eastern California faces significant socioeconomic and environmental vulnerabilities, including elevated pollution in agricultural and transit areas, declining Sierra Nevada snowpack, and increasing severe wildfire risks. These challenges underscore the local demand for a resilient workforce with relevant skills.
The summit aligns with the career readiness goals of local school districts, designed as a collaboration between local government, private industry, and higher education. For many attending middle school students, this annual event will be their first exposure to these critical fields. Since its inception in 2023, the Future Green Leaders Summit has inspired 2,700 students through dynamic events held in regions like Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, and San Bernardino.
SoCalREN provides broader workforce education and training, including initiatives that introduce young people from disadvantaged communities to clean energy careers. Beyond early exposure provided by the summit, SoCalREN's Architecture, Construction, Engineering and Sustainability (ACES) Pathway Program offers a longer-term pathway for high school students, connecting them to college, career, and work-based learning opportunities. Over 11 years, ACES has linked more than 2,300 Title I high school students to STEM education and career paths, with students collectively earning over $283,000 in wages through paid summer internships.
