March 29, 2023
To celebrate the summer beauty of Lake Tahoe and raise awareness of threats to the lake, the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) is sponsoring its second annual Circumnavigation of Lake Tahoe for Science, a seven-day kayaking journey dubbed TERC CIRC 3. The event, which combines citizen science with fundraising for the Center, will run from June 20 to June 26. It’s a unique medley of fun, adventure, science and sociability.
TERC CIRC 3 will showcase TERC’s ongoing research in the Lake Tahoe Basin while at the same time directly experiencing the lake at water level. The event offers a unique opportunity to connect with the lake, conduct science measurements along the way and feel the spirit of camaraderie with like-minded paddlers. “The best way to truly understand the fragile beauty of Lake Tahoe is to be on the water in a kayak and slowly progress around the shore. Every part of the lake is unique, and they all have different challenges,” according to Geoffrey Schladow, director of TERC.
All paddlers that are interested in the event have the option to choose from seven separate day trip segments. Each day will feature 6-13 miles of spectacular shoreline paddling through the crystal blue waters of the lake. Against the backdrop of this pristine landscape, paddlers will hear from TERC scientists, will use a cellphone app to record their observations, and learn how a range of different measurements are made.
“This third year it’s a more structured event with thematic presentations. We will show our paddlers what TERC is doing in the Tahoe Basin, the research and the science that has been ongoing for many years,” said Scott Fitzgerrell, one of the leaders of last year’s event. “Paddlers will also have a chance to interact with scientists on the beach and collect data regarding invasive species, algae, microplastics, and more.”
Research topics covered in the event include limnology (lake motions and clarity); the lake food web; invasive species; forest health; and pollutants such as microplastics, silt, and wildfire smoke. The research at TERC highlights how natural variability, long term change and human activity have affected the lake’s clarity, physics, chemistry and biology.
Raising Funds to Preserve Tahoe Basin
This event is an important fundraiser for TERC, making possible all that we do at Lake Tahoe and beyond. A portion of all registration fees will go toward supporting the Center. Opportunities for donations are also found on the TERC website. Even if you don’t choose to paddle, you can come to the beach to see the paddlers off or greet them at the end of the morning. You can also follow the links to donate and help preserve and protect this priceless natural treasure.
Providing Research Solutions
The solutions developed by TERC are used here at home and shared and used around the world to understand and ensure water as a vital resource for life. Through its science education and outreach programs TERC interacts with more than 14,000 people annually, including providing more than 6,000 local students with the opportunity to learn about the unique and fragile ecosystem of Lake Tahoe and how they can protect the Tahoe basin.
TERC scientists are taking the lessons being learned at Tahoe and helping lakes around the world. One example is the pristine Lake Llanquihue in Chile, almost the identical twin of Lake Tahoe in the southern hemisphere. Economic development, populations shifts, and climate change is leading to pollution, over-visitation and unregulated development around this Chilean lake. TERC students and researchers are sharing the technology and the experience gained at Tahoe with fellow researchers, government authorities and local nonprofits to better manage their environmental resources.
Learn more here.
Event Details
For more information and register here.
Media Contact
AJ Cheline, UC Davis Office of Research, 530-752-1101, [email protected]
Toni Myshyakova, UC Davis Office of Research, 530 219-6752, [email protected]
