City of Riverside, CA
02/19/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/19/2026 19:06
Fortino Morales III Named to California Climate Leaders Fellowship
Published: 2/19/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Feb. 19, 2026
Contact:
Phil Pitchford
Public Information Officer
951-826-5975
Fortino Morales III Named to California Climate Leaders Fellowship
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Fortino Morales III, who serves as Sustainability Manager for the City of Riverside, has been named as a member of the Center for Community Investment's 2026-2027 cohort of the California Climate Leaders Fellowship.
The program is designed to support individuals across California who are advancing community-centered climate resilience through equity, community power, and community investment.
Morales has been the city's Sustainability Manager since 2024. He supports efforts to ensure the Inland area's largest city remains at the forefront on clean energy, water quality and recharge, usage and waste reduction, local food system vitality, air quality and climate resiliency, and greening facilities, fleet and systems.
"Riverside is a leader in sustainability in our region, which is reflected in my selection to this prestigious fellowship," Morales said. "I am eager to take what I learn through the fellowship to make our city even more impactful when it comes to these critical issues."
During the next year, fellows will engage in peer learning, leadership development, and systems-based strategies, including CCI's Capital Absorption Framework, to strengthen pipelines of high-impact, investable climate solutions rooted in community priorities.
The Framework's three functions include articulating a shared priority, creating and executing an investable pipeline of projects, and improving the enabling environment. Taken as a whole, the Framework provides leaders with tools to realize their communities' visions.
Morales came to Riverside from the University of California, Riverside, where he was Sustainability Officer. He previously served as the founding director of R'Garden, a seven-acre campus garden and experiential learning space for students and the surrounding community.
Learn more: https://centerforcommunityinvestment.org/california-climate-leaders-fellowship/
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