Fifth Salton Sea Summit to be held Friday and Saturday

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) - Researchers, policymakers, community organizations, and local residents will gather this weekend for the Fifth Salton Sea Summit.

The 2026 Salton Sea Summit will be held Friday and Saturday at the UCR Palm Desert building at 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive.

This year's summit is completely free to attend and features seven panels on topics ranging from Colorado River trends to the latest developments with lithium extraction in the valley, organizers said.

Summit Panel Topics:

• Colorado River
• Habitat Projects
• Public Access and Recreation
• Dust and Pollution Control
• Community Health
• Lithium and Energy
• Long Term Planning

Friday afternoon will also feature a catered reception and poster session, which will be a great opportunity to showcase UCR research on topics relevant to the region.

Whether your work focuses on environmental science, water policy, community health, or any other topic connected to the area, submit your abstract for inclusion this week and plan on bringing your poster to the event next Friday.

Short poster introductions will take place right before lunch, with the poster session itself scheduled to begin later in the day at 4:30 PM.

To sign up for remote or in-person attendance, just complete the linked registration form. More information on the agenda, panels, and other details can be found at the main event page.

Coffee, refreshments, and a catered lunch will also be provided to all in-person attendees on both days.