INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Now in its second year, Trash to Treasure returned with a creative new twist: turning Incline Village’s bear boxes into vibrant canvases that celebrate art, environmental stewardship, and community spirit. Spearheaded by Incline Middle School teacher Ginny Holmes, local artist Alison Lee and in collaboration with the Incline Education Fund (IEF), the project aims to create public art that makes an impact.

This year, the initiative expanded to design a mural arts project, where students combined environmental research with creative expression to design murals on bear boxes throughout Incline Village. Collaborating closely with the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID), students included interpretive signage to accompany each mural to educate the public about local ecological issues and promote responsible recreation around Lake Tahoe. As part of the process, students presented their concepts to a panel of IVGID staff, gaining real-world experience in communication, design approval, and civic engagement.

Incline Middle School’s Exploratory Program is a dynamic, hands-on initiative designed to help students uncover and develop potential career paths and personal interests. Blending classroom learning with real-world application, the program spans disciplines such as art, science, technology, and civic engagement. What truly sets the Exploratory apart is its strong foundation of community collaboration—students work directly with local artists, environmental organizations, civic agencies, and business professionals. These partnerships provide mentorship, resources, and authentic project experiences that inspire students to think creatively, solve real-world problems, and engage meaningfully with their community.

The Trash to Treasure project exemplifies this mission in action. From concept to execution, students manage every aspect of the initiative—working in teams to research environmental topics, design artwork, coordinate materials, and present their ideas to community stakeholders. In the process, they develop critical skills in project management, public speaking, creative problem-solving, and visual storytelling, all while building confidence and discovering their potential as future leaders and changemakers.

Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to explore the newly adorned bear boxes throughout Incline Village—turning everyday walks into an interactive, educational art tour. The project is generously supported by the Tahoe Fund, IVGID, and the Incline Education Fund.

By turning practical infrastructure into a platform for youth expression and environmental education, the Trash to Treasure project demonstrates how art and activism can intersect in powerful, lasting ways. Even a bear box, it turns out, can become a canvas for change.