ECOLOGICALLY MINDED—Students prepare for the upcoming Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation's Youth Congress XXV. Heather Lutz, left, Molly Pugh, Michele Grogin, Alexandra Corley, Francesca Corley and Stephanie Fang worked with other students from public and private schools throughout Conejo Valley to organize the event, which will focus on improving the environment. Students participating in the 25th Youth Congress presented by the Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation are going green.

The April 4 summit will focus on challenges the region faces in contributing to a more ecologically friendly world, said Karen Malatesta, executive director of the foundation. The free Saturday program, "Plan-It Green: How You Can Help," will be at Westlake High School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The summit is designed to motivate young people to discuss issues that affect them and the community at large, Malatesta said. The program is open to students in grades eight through 12 and includes lunch sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club.

Twenty-one students from public and private high schools from Calabasas to Newbury Park participated in the planning of Youth Congress XXV.

In addition to discussions, the program will feature several environmental experts. Jean Sandlin, communications instructor at California Lutheran University, will explain how students can spread information and increase environmental consciousness, and a group of Pepperdine students will present their research on the human impact on the ecology of Malibu Creek.

John Picard, the nationally known sustainability expert who worked with former President Bill Clinton to green the White House, will discuss national and global environmental challenges. David Oeffling from EcoTelesis International will cover the topic of global warming.

"This is an enthusiastic group of students who are creative problem solvers," said Pat Grant, chief adult adviser to the students and a retired principal from the Conejo school district.

Other adult advisers include Malatesta and foundation trustees Fran Brough and Jan Iceland.

The foundation launched the Youth Congress program in 1985 as part of its goal to improve life in the region, Malatesta said. Past Youth Congress programs have resulted in achievements such as the development of the Thousand Oaks Teen Center, the Safe Rides program, the Teen Assist card, the Teen Volunteer program and a sheriff's program that reduced the sales of alcohol to teens.

"The Youth Congress is a positive way for students to identify the issues they care about and be involved in developing ways to address them," Malatesta said.

Seating is limited, and advance registration is required.

For more information, call the foundation office, (818) 8801054.

—Stephanie Bertholdo