Tahoe Institute of Natural Sciences has taught thousands of people about the region’s natural ecosystems. Always Wanderlust Shutterstock.com
Incomparable as Lake Tahoe is, the story of the natural forces that created this miraculous lake are more fascinating than, well, an actual miracle. Some 12,000 so far have attended talks and classes by the Tahoe Institute of Natural Sciences. Tim Hauserman, who penned the official guidebook to the Tahoe Rim Trail, writes about the institute for the Tahoe Weekly. Described by executive director Will Richardson as “the go-to source for esoteric natural history information,” TINS leads nature walks, answers inquiries, and participates in the annual bald eagle count to see how the population of raptors is doing. But the organization also has a mission: to start up a center that will be a destination for visitors much like the Monterey Aquarium.
Read more: “Tahoe Institute of Natural Science stewards for Tahoe’s natural world”