TINS (original) (raw)

The Tahoe Institute for Natural Science is a member-supported nonprofit organization advancing the natural history, conservation, and ecosystem knowledge of the Tahoe region through science, education, and outreach.

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SCIENCE

Learn about our research and monitoring projects!

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INSPIRED

Learn about our education programs and camps!

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OUTDOORS

Learn about our outdoor activities for all ages!

IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS

Science Education

Our goal is to create a community that understands, cares about, and cares for the natural world, at Lake Tahoe and around the Globe, and one way that we do this is through our diverse science education programs. Since our first programs in 2010, the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science has reached over 68,250 kids. All of this is accomplished with a full-time staff of three; to expand our education reach, we need additional resources.

Cumulative Student Contacts

Bird Banding Research

Scientific research is the foundation to all TINS activities and programming. We use bird banding to monitor post-breeding dispersal and migration use at several Lake Tahoe riparian and wetland sites. We also are able to incorporate our bird banding into educational opportunities for students and the public. Since 2010 we have banded a total of 6,901 birds at six different study sites.

Community Nature Programs

Our Outreach programs bring nature education to the rest of the community, engaging children and adults alike outside the classroom, and allowing for the public to learn about and experience the Tahoe region's natural history in a variety of ways including guided outings, talks, Citizen Science, festivals, and other special events. Through 2022, TINS hosted 179 talks and presentations and 532 guided nature outings, for a total of 15,759 participants. Citizen science, festivals, and other events put our Outreach totals much higher!

“TINS is coming along at the perfect time. Not only do we need more and better natural history outreach and interpretation, but the region is actively trying to redefine its tourism economy away from gaming and towards Tahoe’s natural resources. We support TINS’ mission and vision.”

— Patrick Wright, Executive Director, California Tahoe Conservancy