Conference Field Experiences
While you’re here, take time to enjoy the beauty of Lake Tahoe. From outdoor adventures to world-class dining, there’s plenty to explore before or after the conference.
M.S. Dixie Boat Cruise at Lake Tahoe
Set sail on a captivating two-hour journey from historic Zephyr Cove to the stunning Emerald Bay and back aboard the M.S. Dixie, the only paddlewheeler on Lake Tahoe.
Once overtaken by Eurasian watermilfoil, Emerald Bay now sparkles with its signature blue waters, thanks to restoration efforts like diver-assisted suction removal. Discover how conservation efforts helped revive this treasured habitat.
Don’t forget to bring binoculars—you’ll have the chance to spot native raptors soaring overhead and identify invasive trees from the water.
Forest Health Issues in Subalpine Forests of the Sierra Nevada
Join us for an engaging, informative, and scenic day out in nature! Come on this half-day field trip, just half a mile from the summit of Mt. Rose, to explore the impacts of white pine blister rust and mountain pine beetle on five needle pine species of the Sierra Nevada. This relatively easy 2.3-mile out-and-back hike along the Tahoe Rim Trail boasts spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. You will learn how to identify signs and symptoms of the pathogen and beetle, understand their life cycles, and discover innovative methods for disease management and pine restoration, all while communing with the mountain chickadees! Bring a backpack and water. Lunch will be provided.
Carson Valley Agricultural Production, Restoration, and Sustainable Management
Join us for a trip down Kingsbury Grade into the Carson Valley and Gardnerville area. We will have the opportunity to hear from several local agricultural producers, including one who is a longtime member of NAISMA’s weed free forage program, about the challenges they face while farming and dealing with invasive species and other land conservation concerns in Nevada. Comstock Seed will provide a tour of their farm which highlights their alternative crops, ground covers, regenerative farming practices, and native seed operation. We will also have the opportunity to eat lunch at the Nature Conservancy’s River Fork Ranch Preserve. This managed wetland is a historic cattle ranch that still produces beef, now with an emphasis on sustainable management to protect the floodplain and the function of the wetland ecosystem and to restore the plant community. There will be walking on maintained trails and boardwalks, as well as on the producer’s farms. Please wear close toed shoes and bring extra water if desired.
Prevention Efforts at Lake Tahoe
Take a tour aquatic invasive species projects hosted by the Lake Tahoe Invasive Species Program. The tour begins at watercraft inspection stations, where mandatory boat inspections and decontaminations protect Tahoe’s azure waters from invasive species, like the golden mussel. Stop by the California Border Protection Stations, the first line of defense for protecting the state of California from pests heading west. The tour concludes with a visit to the Tahoe Keys Marina, where agencies are partnering to control invasive weeds like Eurasian watermilfoil and curlyleaf pondweed. Presentations about innovative control techniques, from UV light to a weed eating robot, the Pixie Drone, explore the future of aquatic invasive plant management, and the possibility of eradication. On our way home, peer into the waters where the New Zealand mudsnail was first detected in Tahoe in 2023. Minimal walking time. Dress appropriately for outdoor weather. Lunch will be provided.
