It always bothered Will Richardson that there was no nature center in Tahoe. So Richardson, a scientist who earned a Ph.D. studying bird communities in Sierra Nevada aspen habitats, decided to do something about that. In 2010, he started the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science with Kirk Hardie, an environmental educator and field ornithologist. The institute’s goal is ‘to advance the natural history, conservation, and ecosystem knowledge of the Tahoe region through science, education, and outreach.’ TINS, which eventually wants to open a world-class interpretive nature center and educational facility in Tahoe, is hosting a fundraiser at Cottonwood in Truckee on Nov. 14.
Richardson, who started living part-time in Tahoe in 1994, spent his summers running crews for the Point Reyes Bird Observatory throughout California and falls working for the observatory on the Farallon Islands off the coast of San Francisco. When he made a permanent move to Truckee in 2001, he wanted to be able to continue his work doing wildlife studies while in Tahoe.
‘Everything in Tahoe is focused on water,’ said Richardson. ‘I think bobcats and bunny rabbits and butterflies are a lot more compelling to third graders and their parents than the pH balances and total dissolved solids.’
The Tahoe Institute for Natural Science conducts research on topics such as wildlife response to fuels-thinning treatments and monitoring animal recovery after the Angora Fire. Last winter, the institute initiated a project to document the current distribution and status of rabbits in the Tahoe region, with an emphasis on the white-tailed jackrabbit. It also offers activities and events to bring Tahoe’s natural history, science, and conservation issues to the public. These include summer camps that focus on birds and insects, and school programs about birds and bats of Tahoe.
In December, TINS is coordinating the South Lake Christmas Bird Count, a 100-year-old Audubon tradition that counts every bird participants see in a seven-and-a-half mile radius in 24 hours. The following month, the institute will do the bald eagle mid-winter count all around Lake Tahoe.
TINS, which first opened in Truckee, expanded to the Parasol building in Incline in August after an AmeriCorps member joined the institute to bolster its education division.
The institute’s fundraiser is Nov. 14 at Cottonwood. A portion of dinner and bar proceeds from the evening will go to the organization. The event will feature live music by Uncle Rico, Forget the Roses, and Kimba Madsen.
For more information about Tahoe Institute for Natural Science, visit tinsweb.org.
