Environmental Dive Center launched by Clean Up The Lake

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Clean Up The Lake, renowned for its successful 72 Mile Cleanup project, has announced the inauguration of a revolutionary Environmental Dive Center (EDC) at Lake Tahoe. The EDC will be a hybrid between a conservation dive school and an environmental science center located in the heart of Incline Village, NV. This transformative initiative marks a significant leap in the fight against all litter and aquatic invasive species (AIS) in and around Lake Tahoe.

“Clean Up The Lake is striving to create a more sustainable future not only through cleanup efforts but also through advocacy & preventative action and most importantly, an evolutionary educational program based at the Environmental Dive Center,” says Founder & CEO Colin West.

“The center will be the first of its kind,” added West.

With a grand opening date set for August 17, 2023, the EDC will include a classroom for all environmental dive courses that will double as a boardroom, a location for environmental film screenings, a space for litter categorization and data collection events, as well as more opportunity for engaging experiences including an expansion of internship programs and on-site visits for youth groups and classrooms.

“We are taking innovative strides to offer visitors and locals alike a unique blend of environmental curriculum and traditional SCUBA certifications,” said Director of Programs Sadye Easler.

Aspiring divers will not only receive world-class SCUBA instruction from PADI Instructors but will also learn about environmental subjects ranging from submerged litter issues in freshwater and marine environments, aquatic invasive species, and more; both in the classroom and underwater. These courses will also teach Clean Up The Lake’s submerged litter cleanup methods, AIS survey techniques, and other important approaches the organization uses in its conservation dive programs.

The First Certified Students: The Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California

Clean Up The Lake said they are thrilled to have completed its first class. The first certified students of the EDC were in fact members of The Washoe Tribe of NV & CA. The goal of this class was to share with the tribe and their environmental department vital skill sets to safeguard their ancestral homeland and assist wherever possible in bolstering their own environmental programs.

"The Washoe Tribe is working to expand their stewardship and involvement within the Basin to focus on conservation and protection of our cultural and environmental resources," said the Washoe Tribe's Director of Environmental Program Rhiana Jones. "The relationship with Clean Up The Lake began with John Peltier, a Lake Tahoe photographer who offered to document WEPD projects at no cost to the Tribe. John is also a divemaster and was able to connect us with Colin West from Clean Up The Lake who was interested in developing a meaningful collaboration with the Tribe. There are now three Washoe Tribal Members and soon to be five certified divers from the Washoe Tribe who will be working with Clean Up The Lake to identify litter and AIS issues in Lake Tahoe. This has been a great partnership thus far, Clean Up The Lake has reached out early and often for Washoe Tribal Participation.”

A Hub for Environmental Initiatives: Cleanups, AIS, and the Lake Tahoe Litter Summit

The Environmental Dive Center will serve as the epicenter for all Clean Up The Lake programs. This ranges from lake remediation and cleanup projects in Lake Tahoe & nearby lakes as well as advocacy and litter prevention initiatives such as the 2nd annual Lake Tahoe Litter Summit. The 2024 Litter Summit is now happening in partnership with Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC).

“LTCC is committed to the goals of environmental sustainability and curbing climate change," said LTCC President Jeff Defranco. "We are proud to partner with Clean Up The Lake to work collaboratively on solutions to the litter challenges facing the Tahoe Basin”.

The 2nd annual Lake Tahoe Litter Summit will be in May of 2024. In the meantime, two committees are in development to tackle issues that were addressed at the inaugural Litter Summit. The 2024 Litter Summit will include an invite-only portion at the Thunderbird Lodge with community members & leaders in litter management, while South Lake Tahoe will also be set to bring a public portion of the Summit at a location to be announced soon.

The organization is also proud to announce the EDC will host Tahoe Keepers sessions in partnership with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). This program focuses on the mitigation of aquatic invasive species in nonmotorized vessels, which happens to include SCUBA equipment as well. In the 2024 calendar year, the EDC will integrate a nationally recognized scientific dive certification program. These dive programs are often used by universities, government, and scientific institutions.

A Global Perspective: Sharing Knowledge and Partnerships

The EDC is not only dedicated to training local volunteers and newcomers but also aspires to share knowledge and collaborate with organizations, nonprofits, and dive teams worldwide. By doing so the non-profit hopes to broaden its impact, allowing the work they perform locally in the Tahoe basin to guide other groups on a global level. Their recent work with the Washoe Tribe of NV & CA represents a first step forward in working to share these skill sets to create a larger impact with other communities. The team is ensuring to act locally while thinking globally.

Building Partnerships for a Better Future: Generous Donations and Opportunities

Generous donations from esteemed partners, including Boatworks Mall at Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC), Tahoe Beach Club, and donors Pavel Pragin and Nila Ruslen, have spearheaded the Environmental Dive Center's establishment. With their support, CUTL is now able to match your donations up to $125,000 USD. So please go to www.gofundme.com/f/EDCbyCUTL or www.cleanupthelake.org/donate/ and donate now. If you are interested in a larger level of support, there are naming rights opportunities and founding partnerships available for individual donors and corporate partners alike. The launch of the EDC would also not be possible without the support of its in-kind donors like Truckee Tahoe Lumber Company, Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District and Tahoe Table Company & Snowcap Architecture.

The doors will open on Monday, August 14, 2023, with a Grand Opening Celebration on August 17, 2023. The Environmental Dive Center welcomes all enthusiasts, volunteers, interested divers, and partners during its open hours. Together, the community now has a resource to protect Lake Tahoe’s clarity from microplastics, all litter, aquatic invasive species, and more for generations to come.

To donate to the efforts, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/EDCbyCUTL or www.cleanupthelake.org/donate/