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Aquatic Invasive Species Defense Team

Aquatic Invasive Species Defense Team aghndlWLQzjyALbkcmny151637 Many Locations
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Eyes on the Lake , Tackle Invasive Species , Water Quality & Clarity , Volunteering

Aquatic invasive species are a growing threat to Lake Tahoe’s clarity, ecology, and infrastructure. Golden mussels are a new threat that was recently discovered nearby and could spread rapidly, potentially changing the Lake forever. 

We are seeking volunteers to help educate and inform at Tahoe’s high-volume beaches and lakes, aiming to prevent Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) from entering Lake Tahoe. With the emerging threat from golden mussels, we need volunteers now more than ever before to help Keep Tahoe Blue!

What to expect:

  • Learn About the Threat: Understand how golden mussels and other invasive species endanger Tahoe’s ecosystem and what can be done to stop them.
  • Get Trained to Take Action: This training prepares volunteers to engage with the public at beaches, marinas, and launch sites throughout Tahoe, sharing information about the Clean, Drain, Dry protocol and other prevention tools.
  • Help Spread the Word: AIS Defense Team members, once trained, will go to high-traffic areas and educate the community and hand out information, alerting non-motorized users about the threat of golden mussels and informing them about Clean, Drain, Dry and the Tahoe Keepers Program.
  • Science-Backed and Community-Led: Hosted by Keep Tahoe Blue and TRPA experts, this session combines scientific insight with practical ways you can make a difference.

Steps to get started:

Step 1 – Watch the AIS Defense Team Training hosted by Keep Tahoe Blue, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and Tahoe Resource Conservation District. This one-hour virtual training will prepare you to be Tahoe’s first line of defense. Learn the facts, understand the risks, and help us spread the word at beaches and high-traffic areas to inform beachgoers about golden mussels and prevent invasive species from entering the Lake.

Step 2 – Sign up for a shift. Shifts are one-hour long, but volunteers are able to sign up for multiple consecutive shifts on any given day, if interested in being out there for longer period of time! It can be more fun to volunteer in pairs/in groups so feel free to encourage family and friends to sign up and join! We are are recruiting volunteers for the following locations:

*Priority locations

CD3 – Clean, Drain, Dry, Dispose machines are present here. Please be familar with how to use them by watching the CD3 video here.

Step 3 – Email protect@keeptahoeblue.org to schedule a time to pick up your equipment from the Keep Tahoe Blue Office (2877 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150).

 

Register

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