Thirty excited high school students from Fullerton to Redlands and Rim-of-the-World boarded the bus at Monterey Park American Legion Post 397 on May 13th headed for Sacramento, Sly Park and Lake Tahoe, to attend the Youth Environmental Leadership Conference May 14th through May 16th.  Sponsored by San Gabriel American Legion Post 442, West Covina Post 790, Charter Cove Post 755 and El Monte Post 261, local students included Kenneth Arnold, Jenny Pan and Alvin Trinh (Gabrielino), Valentina Truong and Mei Chan (Rosemead), Monique Avila, Michelle Gonzalez, Benson Lim, Jacob Palmer (West Covina), Juan Reyes Jr., (Arroyo), Norma Saldana (Charter Oak) and Joseph Scardino (Glendora).

The purpose of the program, sponsored by The Inflatable Water Slide American Legion in conjunction with the United States Forest Service, is to sharpen the students’ awareness of the interdependence of man and his surroundings and involves the students in the land-use decision-making process.  Counseled by instructors from universities and colleges throughout the State, professionals from federal and state forestry agencies and private industry, students are instructed in all phases of forestry, conservation and environmental activities and land management.  Subjects of instruction include watershed and timber management, lumbering, entomology, wildlife management, fire detection and control, fire fighting, flood and erosion control reforestation, geology, natural history, recreation area development and management, ecology and environmental changes.  Career guidance is given in these and allied fields, including degree requirements and employment opportunities. A scholarship is offered annually to qualified students after completing one year of college and continuing with a major in a related field.