1996/1997 Annual Review
and Strategic Direction

From its beginning as a community-based organization, TCSF has sought input and developed programs responsive to the needs of the Lake Tahoe and Truckee region (Region). TCSF's two programs are building the capacity to understand, manage and adapt to the change which a more complex future is bringing. TCSF's strategy includes using information technologies to provide access to needed information for residents and stakeholders in our widely dispersed Region. The evolving World Wide Web on the Internet is a metaphor for the evolution of human systems, that of a web-world linked by common issues and driven to increasing complexity.

The Program for Building Information and Technology Capacity (InfoTech Program), with 12 partners, is creating electronic communications capability through a wide area network (an "intranet") already established on the Internet. (See the Program Outline in Appendix One). As of this writing, over 3,000 hours of paid staff time remain to expand a program which has created 11 home pages and trained over 200 people in use of the Internet. A key element of the Program is to assist regulatory agencies to become more efficient while still achieving environmental standards necessary to the quality of life in our Region. As an example, TRPA's Individual Parcel Evaluation System (IPES) is now on line, and a user interface is being developed. A future project is to integrate a regional Geographical Information System (GIS) program under a proposal submitted to TRPA prepared with Bob Twiss and U.C. Berkeley.

TCSF's second major effort, the Sustainability Curriculum Program for K-12 teachers, is expanding the environmental education curriculum to enable students to understand the interrelationships of the economy, environment and human well being.

The TCSF Board adopted "TCSF 2000," a strategy and five-year goals in 1995. Substantial progress towards the specific Action Plan elements for 1995/96 are reviewed below, as is a draft of the 1996/97 Action Plan. TCSF has attracted approximately $150,000 in grants to the Region.

TCSF's strategies include collaborative alliances to leverage resources, add value and learn from experience. As an example, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with TRPA, Institute for Sustainable Development and World Resources Institute. Another is being finalized with Cape Cod organizations, to allow apparently different regions with tourist economies and fragile environments to exchange valuable experiences on the path to sustainability.

Using a distributed network of individuals and electronic communications throughout the Region, TCSF has been an example of a "virtual organization" to date, effectively developing programs with minimum overhead, allowing approximately 90% of funding to be devoted to programs.

Although still a relatively new organization, TCSF has been recognized at a national level as innovative and results oriented. TCSF's next major focus will be to retain a part-time Executive Director who can manage the day to day affairs of the organization.

TCSF will continue to work with and expand its partners (listed in Appendix One) and be responsive to our Region's community. We welcome input and ideas which add value to our common future.

TCSF originated as a community project in October, 1992 at the first-ever regional economic conference organized by what is now the Tahoe Truckee Regional Economic Coalition (TTREC), a public/private partnership of stakeholders. Over 250 residents and stakeholders identified environmental and development expertise in the Tahoe Region as an asset which could contribute to a higher quality of life.

Since 1992 a Steering Committee of stakeholders evaluated activities, identified expertise, developed a mission statement, and made all decisions in open meetings by consensus. At every stage of project development, TCSF received consistent community support. A national Market Survey identified how TCSF can add value to other efforts. In October, 1994 the community reviewed the Market Survey, decided on TCSF's mission and provided program direction from which specific TCSF programs have been developed.

TCSF was incorporated in February, 1995 and received its 501(c)(3) tax exempt status in July, 1995. TCSF currently has seven members on its Board of Directors, and the intention is to expand the Board as the organization evolves.

We have the ability to choose our future. Through collaboration and common understanding we can identify our individual interests as parts of larger goals, adapt to the challenges of an increasingly complex future, and make a difference, here at Lake Tahoe and with others around the world.

The mission of TCSF is to provide information, support, resources, education and training as part of creating a sustainable future in the Region and other areas.

Sustainability is the integration of viable systems which will function effectively in our common future to produce a healthy economy, environmental integrity, and human well being. Activities are sustainable if they can be continued indefinitely into the future.

The natural environment of the Region is extraordinarily beautiful and also fragile. With a visibility to a depth of over 70 feet, Lake Tahoe is one of the clearest lakes in the world.

This clarity has been a focal point for planning and environmental regulation, making Lake Tahoe one of the most studied and regulated regions of the world. In spite of exceptional effort, the lake clarity has continued to decline, although there appears to be evidence that the rate of loss has slowed.

The Region's economy is based on tourism, and the economy has been sluggish for a number of years. Redevelopment and strategic alliances have focused on upgrading the tourist product and infrastructure in sectors like transportation. Organizations with a regional focus like TTREC and TCSF are now creating a unified, regional approach and a "whole which is greater than the sum of the parts." All of these efforts have created a foundation for both new physical infrastructure and a collaborative approach to creating a desired future.

With a focus on integrating these elements, sustainability provides a conceptual framework which recognizes issues of value to people in the Region. It does not assume that one must be traded off to achieve another, but rather acknowledges the interrelationships of our economy, our well being and our environment as necessary components of the future we want to live. Diagram of InfoTech Program

The 1995/1996 Action Plan was adopted September 8, 1995 by the TCSF Board of Directors as part of "TCSF 2000," a strategic plan and five-year goals. Action Plan items for 1995/96 were established for each of the eight organizational goals. A summary of progress towards each goal follows.

Goal 1. Establish a library resource of information relevant to sustainability of the Region

1995/96 Action Plan

• Review information catalogued at TRPA by Americorps worker
• Train TRPA staff in use of Sierra Nevada Catalog database software
• Establish standardized collection effort for information
• Continue cataloguing of information with California Tahoe Conservancy and others
• Establish format for posting information such as quarterly economic data on TTCN
• Post accumulated information such as Carl Ribaudo's economic data on TTCN
• Identify a permanent site

1995/96 Accomplishments

• Completed review of TRPA catalogued information
• Signed contract with TRPA for most matters (completion early 1997)
• Facilitated NTIA grant which will bring $125,000 to the Region for electronic communications and adult literacy
• Created a Tahoe Basin Wide Area Network (TABWAN) on the World Wide Web (WWW) of the Internet
• Began to establish an electronic archive and library of Tahoe
• information on the WWW.

Goal 2. Become a fully functioning operating node of the California Environmental Resources Evaluation System (CERES)

1995/96 Action Plan

• Develop a long-term program for building information and technology capacity and implementing systemic change in the Tahoe Region
• Define a CERES program for the Region with CTC and others
• Pursue becoming a pilot application center with the Resources Agency CERES program
• Identify funding sources for CERES participation (NTIA grant submitted, others)

1995/96 Accomplishments

• Established InfoTech Program for three specific application themes: building capacity and demonstrating applications of technology which add value; building community consensus and increasing regulatory efficiency; and improving K-12 and college education (see Program Outlines in Appendix One)
• Facilitated assembly of team of 12 partners including TTREC, CTC, TRPA, USFS, LTCC, SNC, USFS, USGS, and SEDD/SPO
• Surveyed 70 organizations for electronic communications capabilities and constructed database of baseline status
• Created 10 home pages to date, with at least 15 more to follow
• Trained over 200 people to date in Internet use
• Made TRPA Individual Parcel Evaluation System (IPES) accessible on line, with draft of user interface under development
• Identified with TRPA desirability of placing 1996 Threshold Evaluation on line for public access and comments
• Prepared Feasibility Study Proposal in partnership with Robert Twiss and U.C. Berkeley to integrate individual Geographical Information Systems (GIS) into a Regional GIS accessible over the WWW

Goal 3. Access substantial resources in technology, information, funding, innovation, strategic alliances, skills and people which enable the Region to move towards sustainability.

1995/96 Action Plan

• Pursue program with Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD) and World Resources Institute (WRI) for establishing a digital land analysis system for the Region
• Cosponsor day-long effort with TTREC using a skilled facilitator to assist in the creation of Regional Indicators

1995/96 Accomplishments

• Signed MOU with TRPA, World Resources Institute and Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD) in furtherance of Application B. of the InfoTech Program
• Facilitated Workshop with TRPA, ISD and 35 agency staff to review current state of scientific approaches and technology for ecosystem management
• Facilitated grants of approximately $150,000 for Tahoe region, including over $90,000 for Internet technologies and $20,000 for Sustainability Curriculum Program
• In final phase of negotiation of MOU with Cape Cod organizations to allow public/private partnerships and regulatory organizations to share programs, processes and results

Goal 4. Establish and conduct programs which promote an understanding of sustainability in the Region and generally accepted criteria for a sustainable future. Begin with an annual program for teachers in the Region and extend the program to international environmental managers by the year 2000.

1995/96 Action Plan

• Conduct a pilot program for teachers, businesses and government agencies in the fall 1995 with cosponsors Sierra Nevada College, UNEX U.C. Davis and TTREC
• Research the efforts of others in similar program development to build strategic alliances

1995/96 Accomplishments

• Conducted pilot program in September 1995 with cosponsors Sierra Nevada College, UNEX-U.C. Davis and TTREC
• Conducted annual program in June 1996 with cosponsors
• Conducted Community Leaders in Classrooms training workshops to improve local community participation in schools
• Program results include development of 8 sustainability projects involving three school districts and a wide range of student age groups, and commitment of teachers to work collaboratively using electronic communications.
• Learning Program includes expanded use of project-based learning techniques which includes learner centered investigation and questioning and real life applications. Some work on student dialogue skills occurred with an increased emphasis planned.

Goal 5. Position the Tahoe Region as progressive and capable of offering resources to others who are seeking sustainability in their regions.

1995/96 Action Plan

• Participate in functions of organizations such as the United Nations "UN50 Program" in San Francisco, World Future Society, International Network of Green Planners, Working Group of ISD/WRI "Sustainable Indicators Project," and President's Council on Sustainable Development.

1995/96 Accomplishments

• Presentations made at United Nations "UN50 Program" in San Francisco and World Future Society in Washington, D.C.
• Attended conference of International Network of Green Planners
• Became Sierra Nevada representative for CERES Advisory Committee
• Became regional coordinator for Sierra Nevada for Citizen's Network for Sustainable Development (CNSD)
• Participating in Transformational Learning Community (TLC) electronic conference on community transformation on WWW

Goal 6. Participate in a Western Center for the Capacity for Change with the Center for Communities of the Future (COTF). Participate in establishing a location in the Region in partnership with another institution (such as Sierra Nevada College) or in another northern California region such as Silicon Valley (in a strategic alliance with an institution there).

1995/96 Action Plan

• Develop concept and presentation with COTF
• Identify and select site for Western Center

1995/96 Accomplishments

• Developed concept paper for COTF
• Discussed concept with President and Vice President of Sierra Nevada College (discussions discontinued due to personnel changes)
• Expanded working relationship with COTF to include software development for community input and systemic change

Goal 7. Become part of a global network of individuals and organizations which are on the leading edge of promoting a sustainable future.

1995/96 Action Plan

• Continue contacts with database of 200 people/organizations to share ideas and progress
• Establish and maintain Home Page on the Internet

1995/96 Accomplishments

• Published quarterly newsletter to over 150 recipients
• Established Home Page on WWW
• Participated in organizations described above (WFS, CERES, CNSD, TLC)

Goal 8. Develop regionwide participation in TCSF programs

1995/96 Action Plan

• Cosponsor and others the Community Reinvestment Workshop with TTREC
• Cosponsor appropriate community workshops with TTREC to involve more participants in creating a sustainable future
• Develop outreach program which includes a quarterly newsletter
• Expand Board of Directors, especially in the business sector
• Build on the Strategic Plan Outline dated March 1, 1995
• Conducted public workshops for internet training, and Community Leaders in the Classroom training.

Goal 9. Develop public outreach and regionwide participation in TCSF programs

1995/96 Action Plan

• Continue to work with local partners to provide training and support for sustainability education, including involvement by the community and parents.
• Learning Program (Sue)
• Held meeting at Autodesk Foundation and school districts from Marin, Monterey and Mendocino Counties to explore collaboration, student learning and programs

1995/96 Accomplishments

• Cosponsored 1995 Tahoe Truckee Forum with TTREC
• Cosponsored 1995 Community Workshop with TTREC
• Published quarterly newsletter described above
• Produced brochure describing TCSF mission, programs and accomplishments
• Made contacts to expand Board of Directors

There are six components of TCSF's Strategy:

1. Develop expertise in information technologies to facilitate access to information and make better decisions which are transparent to residents and stakeholders.
2. Enter into strategic alliances to collaborate, leverage resources, add value and facilitate learning
3. Promote an understanding in the Region of the value of integrating a healthy economy, environmental integrity and human well being
4. Develop broad-based community input and participation for addressing future issues
5. Effectively communicate TCSF's programs and opportunities to the Region's community
6. Build TCSF into an effective agent for positive, long-term change in the Region

TCSF's organizational goals are as follows:

Goal 1.	Establish a library resource of information relevant to sustainability of the Region on the WWW and in other forms
Goal 2.	Expand the InfoTech Program to develop applications which add value by making information available electronically, in partnership with CERES
Goal 3.	Develop the K-12 Sustainability Curriculum Program with the goal of enabling students to understand the interrelationships of the environment, economy and human well being
Goal 4.	Establish other programs which promote sustainability and generally accepted criteria for a sustainable future (e.g. a program for international environmental managers by the year 2000)
Goal 5.	Access substantial resources in technology, information, funding, innovation, skills and people which enable the Region to move towards sustainability
Goal 6.	Expand collaborative efforts which add value for all participants and enable the Region to offer and receive resources for sustainability.
Goal 7.	Participate in a Western Center for the Capacity for Change with the Center for Communities of the Future (COTF)
Goal 8.	Develop public outreach and regionwide participation in TCSF programs
Goal 9.	Build TCSF into a self-sustaining organization with a central location and appropriate staff

As programs unfold, TCSF's goals will evolve and adapt to the circumstances which most add value to its mission.

Goal 1. Establish a library resource of information relevant to sustainability of the Region on the WWW and other forms

1996/97 Action Plan

• Complete TRPA contract, train TRPA staff in use of database software, establish standardized information collection format, establish format and post accumulated information such as Carl Ribaudo's economic data on TTCN and WWW
• Identify and seek resources needed for additional information cataloguing
• Identify a permanent site

Goal 2. Expand the InfoTech Program to develop applications which add value by making information available electronically, in partnership with CERES

1996/97 Action Plan

• Expand Tahoe Basin Wide Area Network (TBWAN) on the Internet and create home pages on the Web and electronic communications ability for at least 25 organizations
• Train organization staff and public at SNC and LTCC
• Identify and implement additional applications which add value (e.g. posting the TRPA 1996 Evaluation and requesting public input)
• If CERES establishes Bioregional Centers, explore the potential for becoming one
• Identify funding mechanisms for sustaining the TABWAN
• Perform regional GIS feasibility study as funding permits

Goal 3. Develop the K-12 Sustainability Curriculum Program with the goal of enabling students to understand the interrelationships of the environment, economy and human well being

1996/97 Action Plan

• Continue annual Sustainability Curriculum Program with partners
• Work with students throughout the Region to post sustainability project data and conclusions.
• Build partnerships with others in the Region to provide in-class teacher support
• Provide training and support for teachers and student use of the internet as a research and archive tool
• Increase local support of sustainability education through programs with parents
• Increased local fundraising to augment other grants

Goal 4. Establish other programs which promote sustainability and generally accepted criteria for a sustainable future (e.g. a regional indicators program with TTREC and a program for international environmental managers by the year 2000)

1996/97 Action Plan

• Begin the process to define and develop Regional Indicators for the economy, environment, and quality of life which are approved by community input and dialogue in partnership with TTREC.
• Cosponsor Tahoe Truckee Forum annually with TTREC as a source of innovative speakers, ideas and opportunities for the region

Goal 5. Access substantial resources in technology, information, funding, innovation, skills and people which enable the Region to move towards sustainability

1996/97 Action Plan

• Continue to pursue program with Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD) and World Resources Institute (WRI) for establishing a digital land analysis system for the Region
• Develop relationship with World Wide Web Federal Consortium of 16 agencies including the National Science Foundation and the Illinois Supercomputing Center

Goal 6. Expand collaborative efforts which add value for all participants and enable the Region to offer and receive resources for sustainability.

1996/97 Action Plan

• Facilitate MOU with Cape Cod organizations, TRPA and TTREC
• Post information on the process of creating an InfoTech Program at Tahoe and, when available, request that Cape Cod post the process for developing indicators of sustainability
• Explore collaboration with Autodesk Foundation and school districts from Marin, Monterey and Mendocino Counties for collaborative learning and resource exchange
• Participate in national programs such as World Wide Web Federal Consortium
• Participate in design and implementation of an expanded sustainability track for 1997 World Future Society Annual Conference in San Francisco in 1997
• Participate in functions of organizations like TLC electronic conference on community transformation and CNSD
• Continue contacts with database of 200+ people/organizations to share ideas and progress
• Maintain and expand Home Page
• Identify and form other collaborative relationships which add value for all participants

Goal 7. Participate in a Western Center for the Capacity for Change with the Center for Communities of the Future (COTF)

1996/97 Action Plan

• Explore appropriate locations in Tahoe Region and northern California for COTF
• Expand working relationship with COTF (e.g. regarding software development for community input and systemic change)
• Explore establishing a location in the Region in partnership with another institution (such as Sierra Nevada College) or in another northern California region such as Silicon Valley (in a strategic alliance with an institution there).

Goal 8. Develop public outreach and regionwide participation in TCSF programs

1996/97 Action Plan

• Cosponsor with TTREC and others the 1996 Tahoe Truckee Forum
• Cosponsor with TTREC appropriate community workshops to involve more participants in creating a sustainable future
• Expand outreach program with regular press releases
• Expand Board of Directors

Goal 9. Build TCSF into a self-sustaining organization with a central location and appropriate staff

1996/97 Action Plan

• Identify and access local funding sources to supplement national and regional sources
• Identify and retain an Executive Director on a part-time basis who can manage the day to day affairs and access local funding sources
• Explore with TRPA and other agencies funding sources for projects consistent with TCSF's mission which add value to the region
• Identify potential sites for a central location

In a relatively short time, with limited funding, TCSF has become an innovative source of information and resources for the Region. TCSF has a number of opportunities to fulfill its mission and add value to the Region.

Like many successful start up ventures, TCSF has reached a point where it can build on its success if it has the resources to do so. As these resources come from the Tahoe Truckee Region, as well as from national and regional funding sources, it will increase recognition of the value added by TCSF programs.

TCSF has two principal programs:

Building Information and Technology Capacity and Implementing Systemic Change

There are 12 partners including TCSF:

• California Tahoe Conservancy
• California Department of Parks and Recreation
• California Resources Agency (CERES Program)
• Lake Tahoe Community College
• Sierra Economic Development District and Sierra Planning Organization
• Sierra Nevada College
• Tahoe Baikal Institute
• Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA)
• Tahoe Truckee Regional Economic Coalition (TTREC)
• U. S. Forest Service
• U. S. Geological Survey

The full program is nine pages and describes specific goals and objectives for each goal under the following three application themes:

A. Assist government agencies, businesses, non-profit organizations, colleges and libraries with regional planning, resource conservation, economic development and education by organizing information on the Internet through CERES (a California Resources Agency project).

A grant from the National Telecommunications Information Administration is providing over 4,000 hours of staff time through September 1997 towards nine specific goals, all of which have multiple objectives. They include a survey of at least 70 major organizations in the region, identifying information which is available and desired, describing its location, setting up web pages for at least 30 organizations, creating a wide area network and intranet on the internet, training organization staff in use, and identifying desirable applications which add value. To date over 200 people have been trained and the intranet network established with seven organizations.

B. Develop a process, and a set of information tools, to frame existing TRPA environmental thresholds within a broader socio-economic (human ecosystems) context, to communicate that context to the Tahoe Region community, to help define a common vision of what a sustainable Tahoe would look like, and to help determine the best means of achieving that vision using an interactive GIS package that relates TRPA thresholds to human stresses in the Region.

TCSF signed a Memorandum of Understanding with World Resources Institute, Institute for Sustainable Development, and TRPA for this portion of the Program. There are four goals and specific objectives for each. A consensus process focused on indicators and sustainability will allow residents and stakeholders to define and achieve the future they decide upon. Eventually, command and control regulation will be replaced by least-cost approaches to achieving environmental standards.

C. Increase educational quality and effectiveness by connecting schools, teachers, and students with resource professionals and other school districts around the world on the Internet through CERES.

Strategic alliances are being established with a number of organizations to allow students to collaborate and learn from each other in (e.g. a meeting with Marin, Monterey and Mendocino Counties, as well as Lake Baikal, Russia). This leads directly into the second TCSF program:

Sustainability Curriculum Program

The program is a collaborative project with partners University of California Davis Extension and Sierra Nevada College. Teachers, leaders and community participants are developing a model process for teachers and students which focuses on sustainability: how to promote a healthy environment and provide for an adequate standard of living for all community groups, including the non-English speaking community.

The initial phases are developing strong working relationships between the schools and community groups and identifying innovative projects which illustrate the interrelationships of the environment, economy and human well being. The direction of the annual program was established at a community meeting in 1994 and confirmed and refined by teachers at a workshop in September, 1995. The program includes local teachers of all disciplines this year and will outreach to curriculum developers throughout the country beginning in 1997. The program will enhance environmental education through a community initiated, project-based process which engages both environmental and human needs.

Goals of the Program

1. Students working on real life issues which involve sustainability with the following components:
   • outside projects with real applications (both environmental and economic/lifestyle related),
   • build partnerships with resource and business professionals, and
   • prepare students for complex life decisions including dialogue skills to accommodate diversity of views.
2. Education and classroom support for teachers which includes:
   • access to state-of-the-art scientific knowledge relying on the collection of expertise in the Region,
   • building partnerships with professionals in the field, and
   • providing a tool and follow-up support for use of the Internet in classrooms.
3. Promote learner based, thematic or integrated education which involves parents, school district officials, community leaders, and resource professionals.
4. Use existing curriculum as a basis to build from past experience.
5. Develop a replicable model which can be adapted to local cultural requirements.

TCSF gratefully acknowledges the following funding sources during 1995/96:

Fred Gellert Foundations	$10,000 in two grants for the Sustainability Curriculum Program
National Telecommunications Information Administration	Approximately $125,000 for the Region, of which $81,000 is for Internet technologies, $29,000 for TTCN and $15,000 for adult literacy
TINSNIP grant	$11,000 for Internet technologies
Eisenhower Grant	Approximately $2,800
Stanley Foundation	$7,500 for Sustainability Curriculum Program
TTREC	Approximately $1,400 for staff support at the beginning
Resource Conservation district	$100
Mary Gilanfarr	$100

TCSF also gratefully acknowledges the following in-kind contributions:

CERES	Technical Support and Server for Home Pages
Kier Staehli and the Mind's Eye	Letterhead and logo design
League to Save Lake Tahoe	Bookkeeping
Robert Twiss	Technical and proposal support