Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 12/16/2024, Submitted

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — It’s time to polish up those binoculars.  The Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS) is hosting its annual Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Volunteers are grouped into small teams and stationed at one of 26 vantage points throughout the Tahoe basin, mostly around the lakeshore, to get an accurate snapshot of eagle numbers at the lake.

This annual event is part of a nationwide census of the country’s bald eagle populations. TINS took over local coordination of the monitoring effort in 2012 for the entire Tahoe basin and is now calling for volunteers to sign up via this link: https://www.tinsweb.org/midwinter-bald-eagle-count.

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Photo provided to Tribune

Originally Published in the Sierra Sun, 12/12/24, Written by Eli Ramos

 The 10^th annual Tahoe Film Fest concluded this Sunday and early numbers show they’ve raised nearly $20,000 for the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC).

The Tahoe Film Festival is unique among others, as ticket sales go to an organization and environmental cause. This year, Gavin Newsom recognized it for using film to “raise awareness of environmental issues and further serves as a gathering point to celebrate the community which is dedicated to protecting the Lake Tahoe Basin.”

Rather than being a judged film festival with a panel or jury, Robert Roussel, the director of the film festival, curates the selection himself. As someone who’s been involved in the film industry since 1981, he says he has an eye for films he believes will capture Tahoe audiences or have a strong shot for awards season. For instance, he chose the feature documentary The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses for its environmental themes and September 5 for its award potential. Roussel clearly knows what he’s doing: of the 27 films screened in Tahoe theatres from December 5 to 8, five were announced to have Golden Globe nominations.

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Submitted by Douglas Boyle, University of Reno at Lake Tahoe

The room that the “Underwater Lake Tahoe” exhibit is located in at the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences building is leased by the University of Nevada and has been subleased to UC Davis. UC Davis had an opportunity to renew the sublease but decided not to pursue it. The University has not made a decision regarding the exhibit and has no immediate plans to alter or cover the painting.  

Leadership at the University of Nevada at Lake Tahoe is committed to continuing this specific space’s legacy of community education and engagement. The University is actively working with faculty from the Department of Art, Art History, and Design, as well as from the College of Science, to enhance the space with interactive, community-driven programming that will serve both the public and our students. The University is also planning a gallery space that will showcase the rich history of Lake Tahoe through photography and multimedia that spans multiple decades. The University is in the early stages of securing design and technology elements, and creating supplemental educational materials, that will benefit its students and the community. 

We look forward to working with UC Davis in a successful transfer of the space so the community may still have this hub to have meaningful discussions, spend time together, and learn more about Lake Tahoe. 

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 12/09/2024, Submitted

From expert panel sessions about backcountry safety to on-the-snow events hosted by some of Lake Tahoe’s finest backcountry guides, the fifth annual Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week is chock full of events curated by Take Care Tahoe. From December 9-15, 2024, both novice and experienced backcountry users will have opportunities to learn how to safely recreate in the backcountry this winter.

According to Snowsports Industries America (SIA), the pandemic boosted participation in backcountry/Alpine Touring by 57% during the 2020-21 winter season. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center also reported that a total of 37 avalanche related fatalities occurred in the U.S. that season. The rise in deaths was attributed to both inexperience and challenging snowpack conditions. In the years since, participation in backcountry/Alpine touring has continued to increase. Safety messaging continues to be paramount. 

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Photo: Provided to Tahoe Daily Tribune (snowboarder Claire Hewitt-Dwyer on Mt. Tallac) by First Tracks Production

Submitted by Tia Rancourt of the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, 12/6/2024

Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together and enjoy the season’s festivities.

A few simple tips will help ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.

Preventing Christmas Tree Fires

• Choosing the tree: Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
• Placing the tree: Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the trunk. When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.” Place the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights. Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
• Be sure to add water daily.
• Lighting the tree: Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

Discarding the tree:

When the tree becomes dry, promptly discard it. Take advantage of the Free Holiday Tree Recycling Program, available from December 26, 2024, through January 31, 2025. Please note – the new location for tree drop off is the overflow parking lot across from Incline Beach.

Visit https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/events/holiday-tree-recycling or call 775-832-1203.