At the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe, protecting one of the world’s most iconic alpine lakes is more than a mission. It is a responsibility we embrace with purpose and pride. Located on the shores of Lake Tahoe, our campus exists not just in the environment but for it. We serve as a living model of sustainability, research and stewardship in action.
Our commitment to Lake Tahoe
At the University of Nevada, Reno, we’re committed to preserving the beauty and future of Lake Tahoe through research, learning, and community action.
Rooted in stewardship
Lake Tahoe’s remarkable clarity and ecological significance influence every aspect of campus life. Our location is essential to our identity. Decisions about curriculum, resource management and infrastructure are guided by a shared commitment to protecting the lake. Faculty and students conduct immersive place-based research and engage directly with the challenges facing the Tahoe Basin.
Innovation for preservation
We understand that environmental protection demands more than awareness. It requires decisive action. The Lake Tahoe campus operates as a hub for environmental innovation where sustainability is not theoretical but practiced every day. From low-impact landscaping to wildfire resilience planning, our campus is designed to work with the natural environment.
Students conduct research with immediate impact. They collaborate with regional partners to address water quality, forest health and climate adaptation. They do not just learn about sustainability. They shape it.
A campus built to protect
The Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences is one of the nation’s greenest science buildings. It was designed to use half the energy of a conventional lab and office space. In practice, it consumes 63 percent less energy than comparable structures. The facility earned LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. It features high-performance daylighting, ventilation and mechanical systems. Every element reflects a commitment to sustainability and a deep respect for Lake Tahoe’s ecosystem.
Empowering community and collaboration
Preserving Lake Tahoe takes shared effort. We partner with scientists, nonprofits and public agencies to address regional challenges. Together we raise awareness and host events that spotlight environmental issues.
Our campus brings people together. It is where ideas grow and action begins. Through collaboration and civic engagement, we help build a more sustainable future for the Tahoe Basin and beyond.
Leading with purpose
The University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe is driven by the purpose of protecting it. Our students graduate with a sense of place, a sense of urgency and the skills needed to lead sustainability efforts around the world.
We are not passive observers of nature’s beauty. We are its stewards.