Description
Join TERC scientists for a fun, interactive on-the-mountain tour at Alpine in partnership with the US Forest Service. Do you love to ski/snowboard and science? This is a unique opportunity for you! Learn about the research and education of the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC), the environmental history of Alpine, and the role of the US Forest Service and public lands at Palisades Tahoe.
This program starts at 1:00pm on Fridays beginning February 21 to March 28. Tours will last approximately 1.5 hour. In the event that on-the-mountain tours are cancelled for inclement weather or unsafe snow conditions, the presentations will be alternatively available at 1:15pm inside the Alpine lodge.
All tours are free, but participants must be riding/skiing at an intermediate level and comfortable on all blue terrain. Tours are limited to the first 15 participants, please sign-up in person at the TERC outreach table on Fridays for the day-of tour. Look for the light blue tablecloth to find the TERC outreach table, it will be set up inside the Alpine lodge during colder, snowy days or outside on the Alpine deck near the base-to-base gondola. Tours will begin out on the deck, look for the UC Davis EVENT flag.
Featured Scientists
February 6 – How to Cope with Ecoanxiety
Join TERC Education and Outreach Director Heather Segale as she discusses eco-anxiety and practical strategies for navigating climate-related stress while fostering hope and resilience. This thoughtful, interactive session invites attendees to reflect, connect, and leave feeling more empowered in the face of environmental change.
February 13 – Snowpack and Soil Moisture for Reforestation
Forest researcher Aaron Vanderpool discusses the importance of Sierra snowpack in relationship with reforestation. Learn about the research TERC is doing to understand the connection between snowpack, soil moisture, and healthy forests in the Tahoe area. Gain a better understanding of what a healthy forest looks like and how changes in the climate affect our forests by joining this tour.
February 20 – Fine Particle Detection with AUVs
PhD candidate Kenny Larrieu brings his expertise on TERC’s high-tech tools to the slopes. Learn how TERC uses autonomous underwater gliders to measure the tiniest particles that have a big impact on Lake Tahoe’s clarity and classic blue hues.
February 27 – Navigating through Wintery Tahoe Waters
The TERC research vessel is out on the lake all year, and while that may sound fun, some days it’s a bit rough. Learn how are team navigates, dives, and samples in the field each day during the height of the freezing winter. Boat Captain Mike Cane will walk participants through the process of monitoring water quality in Lake Tahoe from zooplankton samples to clarity measurements.
March 6 – How Bees Store Food
Dr. Rachel Vannette illuminates the secrets of bees and explores how microbial communities shape bee health and resilience. Join us to discover what makes these pollinators so extraordinary and how their remarkable food-storage strategies help colonies thrive through winter.
March 13 – Quality Assurance of TERC Science
“Is this data trustworthy?!” Dive deep into the world of a Tahoe Environmental Research Center’s chemist, and how TERC ensures reliable, trustworthy data for research staff and cutting-edge projects.
March 20 – Plant Pathology
Camille Jensen from TERC’s Forest and Conservation lab will discuss insects, diseases, and dynamics affecting Tahoe’s forests. Learn about innovative reforestation efforts and come away with a broader understanding of the complexities of forest ecology.
March 27 – The Tech Behind Monitoring Algae
Staff Researcher Brandon Berry takes a look at the cutting-edge technology TERC utilizes in algae monitoring. This talk will also dive into how GIS classification, machine learning, and AI are reshaping environmental analysis and enabling faster, more accurate detection of harmful algal blooms.
April 3 – Zooplankton in Ancient Lakes
Join TERC Director Dr. Stephanie Hampton for a fascinating dive into the world of zooplankton and the ancient lakes they inhabit. Discover how these tiny organisms provide powerful clues about past climates, evolving ecosystems, and long-term environmental change.
April 10 – AUV Missions in Tahoe and Antarctica
What does Tahoe have to do with Antarctica? Join Dr. Alex Forrest for an inside scoop of research operations at TERC in Lake Tahoe and abroad. Dr. Forrest will also provide details of how our team of scientists uses their home laboratory of Lake Tahoe to prepare for an upcoming mission to Antarctica.