Sierra Business Council Includes Urban Youth in Sierra Solutions Conference, Sierra Leadership Institute Alumni Dinner

Released on: October 3, 2008, 9:30 am

Press Release Author: Velocity7

Industry: Environment

Press Release Summary: MAMMOTH LAKES, California—The Sierra Business Council’s Sierra Solutions got under way October 3rd at the Mammoth Mountain Conference Center.

The first item on the agenda was getting 20 high school students from urban and rural areas throughout California out on the trail hiking and exploring the Sierra.

On a day that saw usually quiet roads blocked and helicopters flying over Mammoth Lakes due to the location of Steve Fosset’s plane and remains, students seemed oblivious to these parallel events and delighted to be finding their own beginning to a closer relationship with nature.

Engendering the next generation of stewards is a priority with Sierra Business Council.

The students joined conference attendees in a dinner celebrating the success of SBC’s Sierra Leadership Institute (SLI). The SLI is an annual collaborative leadership training session founded in 1996 for individuals from all walks of life—business, government, ranching, et al. Designed to improve individual professional skills while enhancing the civic infrastructure of our region, over 250 Sierra Leadership Institute alumni currently work throughout the Sierra, contributing to the quality of life and economic well being of the region.

Sierra Solutions continues through October 4 with important presenters from economic, environmental, state, city and county representatives throughout the Sierra Nevada.

Press Release Body: MAMMOTH LAKES, California—The Sierra Business Council’s Sierra Solutions got under way October 3rd at the Mammoth Mountain Conference Center. The first item on the agenda was getting 20 high school students from urban and rural areas throughout California out on the trail hiking and exploring the Sierra.

On a day that saw usually quiet roads blocked and helicopters flying over Mammoth Lakes due to the location of Steve Fosset’s plane and remains, students seemed oblivious to these parallel events and delighted to be finding their own beginning to a closer relationship with nature.

Engendering the next generation of stewards is a priority with Sierra Business Council. Speaking at the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Board meeting this spring, SBC member, Soapy Mulholland of Sequoia Riverlands Trust stressed the importance of education, stating that if we don’t get this generation out on the land, what we conserve will not matter. She noted a recent survey that showed only 4 out of 30 university students have been to one our national parks.

The students joined conference attendees in a dinner celebrating the success of SBC’s Sierra Leadership Institute (SLI). The SLI is an annual collaborative leadership training session founded in 1996 for individuals from all walks of life—business, government, ranching, et al. Designed to improve individual professional skills while enhancing the civic infrastructure of our region, over 250 Sierra Leadership Institute alumni currently work throughout the Sierra, contributing to the quality of life and economic well being of the region.

Sierra Solutions continues through October 4 with important presenters from economic, environmental, state, city and county representatives throughout the Sierra Nevada.

About Sierra Business Council
The Sierra Business Council serves the entire Sierra Nevada region. As a nonprofit association of more than 750 businesses, agencies, and individual members, Sierra Business Council is committed to promoting a new perspective on regional wealth while emphasizing collaboration in planning and policy making.

Web Site: http://www.sbcouncil.org/

Contact Details: For information on the urban youth program, contact Nikki Riley at 530.582.4800. For SLI information, contact Anna Toso by emailing atoso@sbcouncil.org.

Media: Pamela Biery pamela@velocity7.com
Conference: Nikki Streegan nstreegan@sbcouncil.org, 530.582.4800
Photos on request