The Tahoe Center for a Sustainable Future (The Center) began in 1992 with a focus on maintaining the health of Lake Tahoe while developing vital communities and a strong economy in the region.  In short the mission of The Center is "to facilitate information, resources, education, and training to achieve a sustainable future in the entire Lake Tahoe Region." To achieve these goals, The Center promotes education, effective use of technology, and positive public dialogue to develop a responsible and informed electorate.  The Center works with schools and both public and private agencies to enhance educational methods and environmental literacy.

Organizational projects have included: creation of a Wide Area Network with the California Resources Agency CERES program; Internet training and web page design for teachers, government and non-profit agency staff (Info Tech program); and operation of the Tahoe Environmental Hotline.  The Center has collaborated with the University of California at Davis, Sierra Nevada College, the California Tahoe Conservancy, Incline Village General Improvement District, and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

Through its Sustainability Curriculum Program, The Center supports teachers and students through outreach activities and sustainability projects focused on Tahoe Basin ecosystems using experiential and Project Based Learning processes.  Services include project site selection, design, coordination, teacher training, and operation of the Community Leaders in Classrooms program.  This program facilitates the participation of community experts in classroom projects, field studies, and training and produced the Community Leaders in Classrooms (CLC) Resource Guide.

The Center serves California and Nevada communities and schools in the entire Lake Tahoe Basin and adjacent communities.  In addition, its work in sustainability education and building community and classroom connections is recognized as an exemplary model by such organizations as the AutoDesk and Stanley Foundations.  The Sustainability Curriculum Program serves as a laboratory for the material used in this Sustainability Education Guide.

President Clinton's visit to Lake Tahoe in July 1997 brought national attention to the Lake Tahoe region because of its importance as a national treasure whose fragile environment is seriously threatened.  Increased federal funds have been committed to Tahoe government agencies for new projects that protect the environment.  Community consensus emerging from forums leading up to the President's visit was that even with federal dollars and increased agency projects and regulations, protection of the environment will require changes in individual behaviors.  The President's Council on Sustainable Development states that public awareness and understanding of natural resources and economic challenges facing the world is critical.  The Tahoe Center for a Sustainable Future strives to create, through sustainability education, an environment where the regional capacity to address these vital concerns is increased and active.


For further information, visit our web site at http://ceres.ca.gov/tcsf