Upcoming Events

Tahoe Sierra Club is pleased to present a series of gatherings featuring local experts on a range of topics of interest to residents of the Tahoe basin and the Truckee River watershed.  We will feature a mix of virtual and in-person events as the COVID situation and other conditions dictate.  All events will be open to members and to the general public, by advance registration.

Past and On Demand Events

Why are Sierra Nevada Forests in Crisis? What Can Activists Do?

Thursday, November 9th

John Buckley, the Director of Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center gave a slide presentation on the state of Sierra forests, trends in forest management, threats, and things activists can do to promote better forest management practices.   A recording of the presentation is here.  

Adventures in Limnology with Dr. Goldman

Wednesday, September 20th

Renowned Tahoe environmental scientist Dr. Charles Goldman will speak at a Sierra Club event on the evening of Wednesday, September 20th at Lake Tahoe Community College. In his Adventures in Limnology talk, Dr. Goldman will entertain us with his global adventures as a scientist - all in the cause of protecting Lake Tahoe and other precious natural resources. 

Great Sierra River Cleanup

Saturday, September 23rd

The Great Sierra river Cleanup (GSRC) is a Sierra Nevada-wide watershed cleanup event coordinated by Sierra Nevada Alliance in collaboration with California’s Coastal Cleanup Day. Multiple organizations will host sites throughout the region, including our site at Pope Beach from 9:00-12:00, sponsored by Sierra Club Tahoe Area Group and Sierra Nevada Alliance. GSRC is one of many California Coastal Cleanup Day events. Previously hosted by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, the Sierra Nevada Alliance is very excited to take the reigns as the GSRC coordinator, and to continue the statewide effort to reduce plastic pollution and litter in and around our Sierra waterways. 

Outing! Hike Waddle Ranch and Get a Drink

Saturday, August 26th

Come join us and Truckee Trails Foundation on a hike at Waddle Ranch Preserve, Saturday, August 26th at 9:00am. This Moderate rated 6 mile hike offers views of various trees and an opportunity to spot wildlife, including Bald eagles. Your friendly dogs are welcome on a leash! At the end of the hike, we will be supplying a drink for you to sip while we share more about our trail development and trails advocacy work, and provide some opportunities to get involved with a Trail Maintenance Day and other volunteer activities. 

July 22nd - Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care Animal Education

Come join us at the Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care center on Saturday, June 22nd at 2:00pm. We will be exploring what LTWC does and the types of animals they care for. We will even meet some of their animal friends and learn about their stories.

On Demand - Mythbusting Tahoe

(Originally presented 1/24/2023)
Come uncover the truth behind Lake Tahoe's popular myths and legends! This presentation featuring guest speaker: Sarah Hockensmith (Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS)), explores the unique history, geology, flora, and fauna of Tahoe's Sierra Nevada and Carson Range, and is proudly sponsored by the Sierra Club. Watch as Sarah explores topics and debunks common misconceptions about the Lake Tahoe Basin and its related ecosystems! Watch the recorded virtual presentation here.  

On Demand - Microplastics and Lake Tahoe 

(Originally presented 10/27/2022)
Microplastics, plastics smaller than 5 millimeters, are found throughout the environment. These particles are the result of plastic pollution and have been found in Lake Tahoe and in the surrounding region.  Scientists at the Desert Research Institute, with the help of citizen scientists, are working to understand the threat of plastics in the lake.  Researchers Rachel Kozloski and Hannah Lukasik will join us for a virtual presentation about plastics, their presence in the environment, and the implications microplastics have for the Lake Tahoe area. Watch the recorded virtual presentation here.  

August 2nd - Washoe Meadows State Park Cleanup

Sierra Nevada Alliance, Sierra State Parks Foundation, and Sierra Club Tahoe Area Group teamed up to collect 105 pounds of trash at Washoe Meadows State Park on Tuesday, August 2.   We couldn't have done it without our intrepid volunteers!

July 30th - An Evening at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care

The Sierra Club Tahoe Area Group had a wonderful evening at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care in South Lake Tahoe with Denise Upton, Animal Care Director, on July 30, 2022. Denise began with a brief history of LTWC including what they do and an overview of some of the animals they rehabilitate. She also discussed some of the main injuries to animals they get. We were also lucky enough to meet Porky the porcupine!  If you have any questions or would like to help, contact Denise and the Wildlife team at info@ltwc.org. 

On Demand - Living With Bears!

(Originally presented 5/26/2022)
Kathryn Bricker of No Bear Hunt Nevada and Ann Bryant of the BEAR League of Lake Tahoe presented a program on coexisting with bears in Lake Tahoe. Kathryn discussed the Drivers of Human-to-Human conflict over Living with Bears, and Ann followed with a presentation on Bears: Replacing Fear with Fact.  Watch the recording of the evening's presentations and discussions. 

May 21st - Guided Wildflower Hike in Washoe Meadows State Park

Sierra Club Tahoe Area Group joined the Sierra State Parks Foundation for a wildflower walk in Washoe Meadows State Park on May 21st. Lisa Berry, local wildflower aficionado and guide, led a short hike to the main meadow and the fen to see the Star Lily, Round-leaved Sundew, and other seasonal wildflowers. 

Thank you to the Sierra State Parks Foundation for organizing this event.

On Demand - Wildflower's of Tahoe

(Originally presented on 5/22/2022)
Sarah Hockensmith, The Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS) Outreach Director, gave a wonderful presentation on Wildflowers of Tahoe.  Watch the recording of the event. 

January 26th - Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities

On January 26, Amanda Milici and Mike Vollmer of Tahoe Resource Conservation District spoke about the history of wildfire in Lake Tahoe and wildfire preparedness efforts through the Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities.  In case you missed it, a recording is available here.  Amanda and Mike also provided links to a number of resources to help Tahoe residents increase the resiliency of their homes to wildfire: 

• Wildfire Home Retrofit Guide
• Long-Term Renter’s Guide
• Fire Adapted Communities Guide
• Choosing the Right Plants Guide
• Backyard Native Plants
• U.S. Forest Service Urban Lot Management
• California Tahoe Conservancy Urban Lot Management
• All of the links above available in print as well. Check out tahoelivingwithfire.com for more information.

Outings

The TAG Outings program resumed this May with a lovely hike to Vikingsholm, Eagle Falls, and along the north shore of Emerald Bay.  In July, we climbed Twin Peaks from Ward Creek and enjoyed 360 degree views of Lake Tahoe, Granite Chief Wilderness, and Desolation Wilderness from the top.  At the end of August, we climbed Snow Valley Peak in the Carson Range, and we summitted Mt. Tallac on a glorious, if a bit warm, Labor Day.   

Watch this page for future listings and signup instuctions.  

We always need more leaders!  If you're an qualified Sierra Club leader, or would like to learn how to become one, please contacts Outings Chair Daniel Cobb at tahoegroupsierraclub@gmail.com.