Tahoe Environmental Research Center
Giving Opportunities
The Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) is dedicated to research, education and public outreach on lakes and their surrounding watersheds and airsheds. Lake ecosystems include the physical, biogeochemical and human environments, and the interactions among them. The center is committed to providing objective scientific information for restoration and sustainable use of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
EDUCATION CENTER INFRASTRUCTURE
Visualization Laboratory Computer Hardware
($50,000 - $100,000)
The Visualization Lab room (25' by 12' with a 13' ceiling) is wired and computer hardware including two polarized projectors, specialized screen for 3-D viewing, and computer hardware and switches are still needed. At the Otellini Visualization Lab visitors will don 3-D glasses to explore under the water, under the earth, and around the watershed. Besides providing an educational exhibit for the public, these tools could also provide rapid response to wildfires or contaminant spills in the lake. We plan to highlight existing geoscience datasets in 3-D for visitors, researchers and students, including detailed surface topography, Lake Tahoe bathymetry, seismic fault zones and lake habitat zones.
Onomy Labs Digital Reading Wall
($30,000 - $100,000)
Onomy Labs (http://www.onomylabs.com) designs and creates evocative interactive systems that enable audiences to experience the future. We are planning to include a digital reading wall with graphical and multimedia program using imagery and brief text to convey the following habitat zones/biomes:
- Mountain ridges are watershed boundaries (mountain ridges divide watersheds)
- upland (examples include Blackwood “Badlands”)
- Forest (showcase healthy forest, overstocked forest, dead & dying trees, forest fire)
- Stream Environment Zone (SEZ) – follow a stream from headwaters to shore
- Wetland
- Shorezone
- Littoral zone of lake (shallow water)
- Pelagic zone of lake (deep water), depth of lake, stratification, mixing, etc.
Multimedia program uses imagery and brief text to convey various types of research in action and local accomplishments made possible through research.
Relief Map of the Tahoe Basin and Truckee River Watershed
($60,000)
The large wall in the lobby entrance of the new Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences provides a perfect location for a wall-mounted relief map of the Tahoe Basin and Truckee River watershed (approximate size 6’ tall by 6’ wide) with high resolution IKONOS satellite imagery overlay.
Video Production for “Vignette” Exhibits
($30,000 – $50,000)
Funding is needed for production of the audiovisual programs consistent with the exhibit graphics located in the Thomas J. Long Foundation Education Center and Tahoe City Fish Hatchery. These videos will be motion-activated and convey in-depth information about topic-related exhibit content.
Plastic Models of the Tahoe Basin and Truckee River
($15,000)
Eight table-top watershed models of the Tahoe Basin and Truckee River watersheds (approximate size 2’ x 2’) will provide student groups with a hands-on opportunity to interact with the region and learn about erosion, pollutant transport and watershed processes.
Outreach Development “Volunteers”
($6,000 each – ideally two per year)
Utilizing AmeriCorps volunteers, we would develop a vastly expanded education and outreach component to complement TERC’s research activities throughout the Tahoe Basin. The volunteers would produce education materials for school children, the general public, teacher training and docent training, as well as administer these programs.
Activity Areas for Thomas J. Long Foundation Education Center
($2,000)
Basic equipment is needed for the Thomas J. Long Foundation Education Center activity areas for student groups. This equipment includes goggles, student lab coats, samples (sand, silt and clay), plastic cylinders, eyedroppers, laminated topographic maps, etc.
Secchi Depth Chart
($1,000)
Need a transportable (rolling) magnetic wipe-board, printed with blue depth labeling and magnets (to look like Secchi Disks) for student charting/graphing exercise.
Teach Tahoe Kit Purchases
($1,000)
Local teachers have requested a “Teach Tahoe Kit” that includes the materials for pre- and post-visit activities appropriate for sixth grade science coursework. Supplies include a Rubbermaid tub, binder of curriculum, small dry erase boards, laminated activity materials, clothes pins, cups, etc.
Future Exhibit Elements
In the future, we would like to include the following indoor exhibits:
- Secchi Disk – Horizontal screen placed in floor showing Secchi disk being lowered and raised... could be connected to rope for interactivity.
- Water columns highlighting the concept of turbidity (from clear water to various levels of turbidity).
- High powered microscope / flow cam connected to large monitor in the lab area.
- Computer station/touch screen showing existing Lake Tahoe Reports (90 second news segments on various environmental topics).
- Computer station/touch-screen highlighting various local environmental problems and topics in lab area.
- Computer station/touch-screen showing various photos of pre-1800s, Comstock Era, 1960, present day.
Future Outdoor Exhibit Elements
We wish to include the following outdoor elements:
- A large table-top stream channel model outside near the demonstration garden (shows stream meandering, scouring and deposition, stream channel erosion, BMPs, etc.)
- Trail and stream sampling “deck” at the creek
- “Discovery Trail” linking Center to Demo Garden to Incline Creek to confluence of Incline Creek/Rosewood Creek to Lake Tahoe for summer programs. Would plan to collaborate with Sand Harbor or Tahoe Rim Trail for summer programs.
- Trout in the Classroom program at Tahoe City Fish Hatchery.
RESEARCH SUPPORT
Boat Storage Facility at Hatchery
($300,000)
As part of the renovation plan for the old Hatchery building at Tahoe City, it is planned to rebuild one of the derelict houses at the rear of the Hatchery into a boat storage facility. Currently there are no funds available to complete this part of the project. The new facility would allow for the storage of a new high speed research boat that could be launched by trailer on Lake Tahoe, or taken to other lakes throughout California. The building would be designed to allow for the storage of a boat up to 28 ft in length, and for the storage of other field supplies. It is anticipated that it will be a single story building, but with mezzanine space to allow for maximum storage capacity. As part of the permitting process for the Hatchery renovation, permits for this new building have been obtained.
High Speed Research Vessel
($140,000)
TERC currently operates 2 research vessels that are permanently moored on Lake Tahoe. While both vessels afford adequate work space, they are both slow which limits where on the lake we can work, and the ability to conduct small experiments. To effectively utilize our personnel and equipment, a high speed (50 knots) research vessel is needed. Munson boats is a local boat builder with a national reputation for strong and reliable work boats. The main features of the vessel are as follows: 28 ft x 8.5 ft standard hull Packman with twin 225 HP 4 stroke engines, 2500 lb bow winch, T-top cabin, VHF radio, 16 mi radar, GPS, depth sounder, 625 lb davit winch, dual axle trailer.
Rooms and Laboratories within the Tahoe Environmental Research Center
($50,000-$100,000)
Several rooms and laboratories within the Tahoe Environmental Research Center are still available for naming. Details are available upon request.
Flowcam Imaging and Analysis System for Lake Research and K-12 Education
($80,000)
New technology offers the opportunity for researchers to quantitatively characterize the fine particles that are reducing Lake Tahoe’s famed clarity, and for visitors and children to glimpse into this invisible, microscopic world. The FlowCAM® is a state-of-the-art instrument for rapid monitoring of particles in fluid. FlowCAM automatically counts, images, and analyzes the cells in a discrete sample or a continuous flow, providing significantly increased data collection, instantly.
We propose to purchase a portable FlowCAM. The instrument will be able to be used in the field, the laboratory and as part of a permanent display within the new Education Center at the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences. Used in conjunction with a large LCD display screen, it will offer the opportunity for school children and visitors to see some of the varied microscopic flora of Lake Tahoe and its streams (such as those shown below) magnified up to 2000X.
UV Radiometer System
($40,000)
In the high altitude environments such as Lake Tahoe, ultraviolet (UV) radiation exerts a dominant impact on lake ecology. With changes likely in future climate, it is certain that the impacts of UV will alter dramatically. In the past, TERC researchers only had brief opportunities to study UV radiation effects on Lake Tahoe, when visiting scientists brought the necessary equipment. We propose to integrate UV radiation monitoring into our existing real-time meteorological network (http://remote.ucdavis.edu/tahoe_location.asp) by locating a new high resolution instrument platform\on the roof of TERC. To complement it, we wish to purchase a profiling UV radiometer. This instrument, a Biospherical PUV-2500 Profiling Radiometer (24,000), will be operated from the research vessel John LeConte, and used to acquire profiles of UV radiation 3 times each month down to a depth of 350 ft into the lake.
STUDENT SUPPORT
Tahoe Environmental Scholars Program
($10,000-$40,000/year)
The training and education of students is at the core of TERC’s mission. We wish to establish a scholarship program, to attract the best students from the nation and the world to study limnology and resource management at Lake Tahoe. With a range of partial and full scholarships, we hope to have in range of 15-30 graduate students a year working at the forefront of science, engineering and policy at Lake Tahoe. Graduate students are the lifeblood of our program, and upon graduating will take what they have learned at Lake Tahoe and apply it elsewhere.
For more information about making a gift to support the Tahoe Environmental Research Center at UC Davis, please contact Barbara Celli at (530) 754-8499 or .