LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. — On Tuesday, June 9, a team of Tahoe’s protectors will lead a training on how to protect the Lake’s blue waters from the threat of aquatic invasive species as part of California Invasive Species Action Week. The morning event will take place at Valhalla Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe, is open to all, and free to attend.  

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) — mollusks, plants, and others — can outcompete native species, throw off the Lake’s delicate ecosystem, and threaten to turn Tahoe’s famously blue waters a murky green. 

Golden mussels, an environmentally harmful and highly invasive species, are spreading rapidly across California. Just days ago, a boat unknowingly carrying golden mussels was stopped at one of Tahoe’s boat inspection stations before it could launch on the Lake. This summer is a critical time for paddlers, anglers, and beachgoers to be aware of AIS and to Clean, Drain, and Dry their equipment before entering the water.  

During the two-hour training, participants will learn how to identify AIS and report their sightings through a web-based platform, understand the fundamentals of Lake-friendly paddling and why it’s crucial to Clean, Drain, and Dry gear before hitting the water, and gain awareness about harmful algal blooms. 

The event is led by Keep Tahoe Blue in collaboration with Tahoe Keepers, the Lahontan Water Quality Control Board, and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. California Invasive Species Action Week runs June 6–14.