Growing a Culture of Caring: Sustain Tahoe Brings the 8 Worlds of Wonder to Life
January 22, 2026 | Member Submitted
Sustain Tahoe is pleased to share that we have received a $4,500 matching grant from the Nevada Arts Council to illustrate and pilot-print our new passport-size pocket guide, 8 Worlds of Wonder; designed to deepen how visitors (and residents) experience the Lake Tahoe watershed.
This grant supports original watercolor illustrations by local artist Ronnie Rector, who is bringing visual life to the eight interconnected “worlds” that shape every destination: Sky, Water, Land, Plants, Wildlife, Community, Culture, and Heritage.
The first print run will include 100 copies, each featuring a QR code in the back inviting users to share feedback on how the booklet enhanced their Tahoe experience.
About Sustain Tahoe
Sustain Tahoe is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing Geotourism and Destination Stewardship, ensuring that visitors and residents engage with Lake Tahoe in ways that enrich the environment, honor culture, and support community well-being.
Our work began gaining regional attention in 2010 when we hosted Tahoe’s first-ever Stewardship Congress, convening community leaders, businesses, and advocates to shape a sustainable future for tourism. This momentum continued through four years of the Tahoe Geotourism Expo, where visitors selected immersive, educational, and adventure-based experiences designed to deepen their connection to Tahoe’s natural and cultural heritage.
Building on this foundation, Sustain Tahoe developed the Geotourism Implementation Framework (GIF) also known as the Tahoe Blueprint, which evolved into a one-year Geotourism Certification Course for guides, businesses, and organizations. Our initiatives also include; Green Networking and the creation of the first Washoe-inspired Earth Walk, reconnecting participants with Indigenous wisdom and ecological balance.
Through ongoing projects and partnerships, Sustain Tahoe continues to guide a culture of care, helping visitors and locals alike honor the land, support cultural heritage, and sustain Tahoe’s beauty for generations to come.
Project Spotlight: 8 Worlds of Wonder
8 Worlds of Wonder is a pocket-sized travel booklet and journal that invites travelers to experience destinations through eight essential layers that shape place and identity. Each “world” is introduced through poetic reflection and original artwork, followed by a framed journal page encouraging personal observation and reflection.
Water, for example, whether it appears as snow, rain, lake, river, or ice, it defines Tahoe’s ecosystems, recreation, stories, and sense of wonder. By noticing these layers more deeply, travelers don’t just see more…they care more.
The goal of this grant-supported phase is to transform a draft concept into a fully illustrated, artistically engaging booklet that encourages mindful exploration and personal connection. The interactive format reinforces a simple truth: we protect what we feel connected to.
Looking ahead, 8 Worlds of Wonder has the potential to become a valuable amenity for lodging properties throughout the Tahoe watershed and beyond. Placed in guest rooms, at a resorts front desks, on business counters, and at visitor centers, it provides the visitor a ‘local lens’ from which they can connect to the destination, better understand and appreciate its unique textures while quietly cultivating stewardship, long after the trip ends.
We are grateful to the Nevada Arts Council for recognizing the power of art and storytelling to shape how people experience and care for northern Nevada. We look forward to sharing this project with the Incline Village Crystal Bay community.
Sustain Tahoe welcomes local sponsors and partners interested in adopting one of the Eight Worlds of Wonder and supporting this pilot project. Join us in cultivating a culture of caring and stewardship through art, storytelling, and place-based connection.
Contact Jacquie Chandler at 775-413-9211 or sustaintahoe@gmail.com










