Ecology

Children’s Environmental Science Day is a free community event for children ages 6 and up and their families, held on Saturday, August 10, from 1 - 4 p.m. at the Tahoe Science Center in Incline Village, Nev.

The event includes dozens of hands-on science activities designed to create an awareness of the unique ecology of Lake Tahoe and provide an opportunity for young and old alike to learn about environmental and Earth science. The event is hosted by UC Davis scientists, staff, and local agencies and organizations of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Migratory birds are commonly thought of as only summer visitors to the northern latitudes, but there are some migratory birds that can only be found in the Lake Tahoe area during winter.

There are also birds that have lost their way and end up in unexpected areas during the winter. Learn what visiting birds to look for in winter, where they came from, and why winter is a good time for them to be in the area, whether you are searching in the Tahoe Basin, Sierra Valley, or Carson Valley.

Well-intentioned children and aquarium hobbyists seeking to “free” their pet fish down a toilet bowl or into a local waterway may inadvertently be contributing to the threat of invasive species downstream, according to a new report from the University of California, Davis.

As part of National Winter Trails Day, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association will host free guided hikes on Jan. 12, 2013 from 10am to 2pm through the newly opened Van Sickle State Park behind Harrah’s Casino at Stateline South Shore Lake Tahoe.

There will also be outdoor gear demonstrations, raffle prizes, and a Warming Party at Explore Tahoe after the hikes.

This South Lake Tahoe event is a family-friendly introduction to snowshoeing and to winter opportunities on the Tahoe Rim Trail. Participants will have to bring their own shoes, snacks, water and warm clothing.

Children are invited to spend the day with scientists on Saturday, August 11, learning about the unique ecology, function, restoration and preservation of Lake Tahoe.

The economic and environmental future at Lake Tahoe will be discussed among 350 researchers, scientists, policy makers and economic stakeholders at Incline Village this week during the Tahoe Science Conference Tuesday through Thursday.

Summer is a perfect time to learn about birds that migrate to the Lake Tahoe Basin for the season. Join Kirk Hardie, Co-Executive Director of the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science for two events introducing the migratory birds of the Lake Tahoe region. Kirk will present a talk on these avian visitors to the area on Thursday, June 14, 2012 (no-host bar at 5:30pm, presentation begins 6 pm, $5 donation suggested) at the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences on the Sierra Nevada College campus and a bird watching walk on June 16 starting at the UC Davis Tahoe City Field Station.

The U.S. Forest Service and Lake Tahoe Community College will host a free screening of “Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time” On March 28. Filmmakers Ann and Steve Dunsky will be available to answer questions after the screening.

A grant to the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will help develop a “Children’s Forest” for exploration and education in the Pope-Baldwin Recreation Area, off Highway 89 near South Lake Tahoe.