invasive species

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board has approved updates to Lake Tahoe watercraft inspection fees and added enhancements to make inspections more convenient following an unprecedented year for the program, the agency announced last week.

Local non-profit GREENevada announced Thursday the winners of the 2020 Golden Pinecone Sustainability Awards, a prestigious annual event recognizing local individuals and organizations working towards a more sustainable Nevada.

As part of the Carson Ranger District’s Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest recently released sheep in the Jacks Valley Wildlife Management Fuels Reduction Project area just south of Jacks Valley Road in Carson City, Nev.

Volunteer citizen scientists working with the League to Save Lake Tahoe conducted surveys of Donner and Spooner Lakes to detect aquatic invasive species, and restored native wetland habitat in Johnson Meadow in September. Both efforts are aimed at preserving the Tahoe-Truckee region’s unique ecology.

But this fire season, the Nevada Division of Forestry and NV Energy are using a different kind of fire prevention technology — a herd of more than 300 goats.

Often called the “jewel of the Sierra,” Lake Tahoe offered warm solace for Nevadans this summer amid the crushing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has pushed people outside in greater numbers as the virus spreads more easily in indoor spaces.

Recently, I received a photo of a stink bug that I suspected was the invasive brown marmorated stink bug. However, the insect seemed to be more charcoal gray than the typical brown color. Insects can look very different not only at different stages of development but also when found in different areas.

LAKE TAHOE — A new control tool for aquatic invasive plants that clog waterways, reduce water clarity and provide cover for other invasive species at Lake Tahoe continues to show impressive results in its third year of testing. The tool is a light array mounted under a working barge, which trolls through the marina dousing the plants on the lake bottom with ultraviolet-C light.

As demand soars for watercraft inspections at Lake Tahoe, agencies preventing the introduction of aquatic invasive species into the lake’s pristine waters caution boaters to expect delays and to be prepared to change boating plans through the July Fourth weekend.

On Friday, June 26, Lake Tahoe is entering the next phase of watercraft inspections for the prevention of aquatic invasive species and opening for all boats by appointment, agencies announced.

The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center released findings Wednesday from its annual Lake Tahoe Clarity Report, which showed In 2019 the lake's famed clarity decreased nearly 8 feet from the previous year’s dramatic 10-foot improvement. The average annual value in 2019 was 62.7 feet. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, when clarity was 60 feet.

Whether you live here in Tahoe or can’t wait until it’s safe to visit, we’re all anxious for a return to normalcy. This time of year, that means getting boats on the Lake's beautiful blue waters — while ensuring that you, me and Lake Tahoe stay healthy.

RENO — With wildland fires eating up the forests and rangelands of Nevada each summer, and fire season now upon us, University of Nevada, Reno scientists are examining how drought, climate change and land management will affect future fire activity and how fires can in turn influence plant, soil and hydrologic processes.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has announced a phased approach to boating that discourages out-of-area visitation as part of state and local coordination on recreation guidelines for Lake Tahoe this season.

Hundreds of sheep will arrive in the hills west of Carson City this week and next week, with heightened alert and expectations as fire season arrives when the rain and snow stops and the heat settles in.

STATELINE — Watercraft inspections to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species in Lake Tahoe have halted until at least April 16 in response to Nevada and California Executive Orders on COVID-19, according to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District.

This week marks the last full week of operations for watercraft inspection stations at Lake Tahoe as we transition into Fall. As of Oct. 1, watercraft inspection operations will move from roadside inspection stations and occur at Cave Rock and Lake Forest launch ramps for the winter season.

CARSON CITY — Nevada residents and visitors are invited to celebrate Nevada Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 28 with a “fee-free” day at Nevada’s State Parks. Park fees, including entrance, camping (Saturday night) and boating, where applicable, will be waived at state parks throughout Nevada.

STATELINE — Boat inspectors recently prevented two vessels from launching at Lake Tahoe and other regional lakes, after discovering infestations of aquatic invasive species. During mandatory inspections in Meyers and Truckee, Calif., inspectors found invasive mussels on both boats.

This week the Muscle Powered Trash Mob of Carson City will ride again with the annual bull thistle pull at Horse Creek Ranch.

The League to Save Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Waters Supplies Association (TWSA) are in the process of distributing an initial run of 250 cigarette butt collection canisters at key locations around Lake Tahoe. The aim of the Tahoe Cigarette Disposal Program is to reduce toxic chemicals from littered cigarette butts from leaching into the environment, to protect wildlife, and to reduce litter on Lake Tahoe’s shoreline and vicinity.

Happy Saturday, Carson City! There are a ton of events going on in our beautiful capital city today as we officially head into summer following yesterday's solstice. On the docket today we have the first of the Levitt-AMP Concert Series at the Brewery Arts Center, a charity poker run, a street food fest, and more! Check below to see whats happening this weekend.

Saturday, June 22

Heading into the weekend, there's a bevy of events around the Carson City region that brings a cool breeze to the first three days of summer. The 16th Motor Officer Challenge kicks off Friday at 7 a.m. at Mills Park. Lace up the shoes for a Friday morning walk at East Silver Saddle Ranch hosted by Muscle Powered.

Do you enjoy: Swimming, paddling, boating, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, fishing or just viewing the Lake's natural beauty?

Then there's a role for you. Protect while you play at Lake Tahoe. Aquatic invasive plants are threatening Lake Tahoe. You can help prevent their assault on Tahoe's waters. We need your “Eyes on the Lake.”

As part of the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Program, Eyes on the Lake is returning through the fall. Learn how to identify and report aquatic invasive plants found in Tahoe’s lakes and streams and help Keep Tahoe Blue.

Eminent scientists Dr. Charles Goldman, Dr. Sudeep Chandra and other panelists will be featured guests at Western Nevada College in Carson City where they will talk about local impacts of droughts, floods, fires and warming temperatures on the regional economy and future generations.

Saturday, June 22 | 8:30 am - noon
Location: Baldwin Beach, South Tahoe

Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are invited to this fun, hands-on restoration day. Participants will build fencing to protect the threatened native Tahoe Yellow Cress and survey for aquatic invasive species.

Boat ramps at Lake Tahoe's Sand Harbor and Cave Rock are now open from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily, according to Nevada State Parks.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will continue a project to eradicate, control, and contain known infestations of invasive plants in the Lake Tahoe Basin using chemical treatment. Work will take place at approximately 90 infestations sites (105 acres) beginning in late May and continuing through September 2019.

Nature’s gifts to our planet are the millions of plant and animal species that we know and love, and many more that remain to be discovered. In recognition of this year’s official Earth Day theme, “Protect our Species,” the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (NDCNR) is helping to educate communities about the many wonders of Nevada’s native species, and strategies underway to help advance biodiversity and foster thriving ecosystems.

Our favorite sheep friends are working hard to reduce cheatgrass for fire season, and while people are permitted to go and coo over how adorable they are, multiple people have been also bringing their furry friends without leashing them, which scares the sheep and makes it difficult to perform their important work.