Protect the bears in Tahoe. Increase the Lake’s clarity.

These are two ideas that inspired Paige Adkins, a wildlife ecology and conservation major and a legacy student of Sierra Nevada University. Living and studying on the Lake Tahoe campus, Adkins’s education constantly incorporated local conservation and wildlife. 

Adkins’s ideas were award-winning as well. In 2024, she placed first in the Preger-Tahoe Prize Creative Idea Challenge for her solution to protect bears through better trash can security. She also won first in this year’s Preger Challenge for her idea for upcycling an invasive shrimp species.  

The Preger-Tahoe Prize Creative Idea Challenge (PTPCIC) was started at Sierra Nevada University in 2020. Funded by long-time Incline Village residents Bob and Eleanor Preger, the competition requires students pitch a cutting-edge product or service. The competition runs both semesters on the Lake Tahoe campus and is quite extensive: Students submit applications and deliver presentations to the selection committee. 

Adkins graduates this May, with a degree from the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources. Adkins will also be awarded two minors: in Environmental Science and Art. 

From One Credit Weekend to Award-Winning Idea

In the winter months of 2025, Adkins enrolled in a One Credit Weekend Course, a program specific to the Lake Tahoe campus, with Professor Jonathan Breiter called "Brainstorming." It was during these few days that she came up with her creative idea for 2025: “Sploosh.” Aware of the mysid shrimp, an invasive species that causes the lake to lose clarity, Adkins formulated an idea: remove mysid shrimp from the lake and using them as a natural fertilizer. Adkins entered this idea into the 2025 Preger-Tahoe Prize Creative Idea Challenge. And, like the year before, she placed first – making Adkins the first student to win two years in a row. 

We caught up with Adkins to hear more about her time on the Lake Tahoe campus and her inspiration for her entries to the Preger-Tahoe Prize Creative Idea Challenge. 

Q: How did you decide to join the Preger Challenge and what was your inspiration for your project?

In 2024, I decided to join the Preger Challenge on a whim. At the time, I was working on a research project about bears in the Tahoe area for my Conservation of Natural Resources class with Professor Brennan Lagasse and I decided at the last minute that I wanted to focus my Preger idea on bear conservation in Tahoe.

Living here, I’ve seen firsthand the ongoing conflict between bears and humans, recognizing how dependent the bears are on us for trash. Since there’s no basin-wide mandate requiring bear-proof trash cans or bear boxes, I wanted to create something universal that would secure all trash cans and protect bears by preventing them from being drawn into our communities and put at risk. Bears have rights and deserve to live freely in their homeland and I wanted to create something that honors and protects them.

Q: During your two projects, what are some skills you gained that you’ll be able to apply in the future?

I gained lots of insight into the business side of things. Being a science major, I had little experience with anything business. I learned how to calculate financial projections, assemble a team and present my idea in a way that appeals to potential investors.

Being a science major, I had little experience with anything business. I learned how to calculate financial projections, assemble a team and present my idea in a way that appeals to potential investors.

Even though I am not in the business field, these skills were definitely useful – anyone can become an entrepreneur and start a business. I found it especially intriguing to learn how to design a business model that prioritizes helping the Earth, rather than harming it. 

Q: What has been valuable about the classes at Lake Tahoe?

The most value I’ve gotten out of my classes here has undoubtedly been the hands-on learning opportunities. Last semester, in my "Range and Forest Plants" class with Professor Chris Smith, we went on field trips to explore various ecosystems around Tahoe and California, studying the native plants that grow there. 

We also took a trip to central California to see the sandhill cranes before they began their migration to Alaska. Having the chance to study outdoors and apply what we’ve learned in the classroom to our environment has been the most one-of-a-kind experience during my time in college. I feel so fortunate to live and learn in the middle of the woods next to the most gorgeous mountain lake, where learning opportunities are all around us.

Q: What have been some of your favorite things about living in Tahoe?

In my time here in Tahoe I’ve enjoyed frequent walks to the beach, night swims, music, the snow and exploring the woods. There are so many opportunities to go outside with the mountains right here at our doorstep.

The Holman Arts and Media Center we have here on campus has the supplies for almost every art medium you can imagine and professors Rick Parsons and Molly Allen are incredibly talented. I’ve spent so many hours getting my hands dirty with clay and creating. 

Most of all, I especially love the wonderful community of people here, many of whom have come from Sierra Nevada University. We’ve gotten to share a love of the outdoors and fun times together and it has been quite special navigating the environment with them.

Q: Do you have any advice for future students looking to enter the challenge or looking to live in Lake Tahoe?

My advice for future students looking to come up here is to find a way to make it work! College is a unique time in your life where you’ll be offered tons of experiences left and right, it’s important to make the most of every opportunity you can! Come up to Lake Tahoe with intentions to respect the campus and the beautiful environment that encompasses it. Sierra Nevada University left a wonderful legacy of a community that cares about others and the environment, and it's important that we as University of Nevada students continue to uplift that.

My advice for future students looking to come up here is to find a way to make it work! Come up to Lake Tahoe with intentions to respect the campus and the beautiful environment that encompasses it.

About the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe

Located less than one mile from the shoreline of Lake Tahoe, the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe’s Wayne L. Prim Campus merges experiences across education, research, creative and scholarly work in a stunning mountain environment. In addition to its education offerings, the campus offers a robust program of community events and private conferences, welcoming the brightest minds in science, art and sustainability to Lake Tahoe. The 18-acre setting in Incline Village includes 10 classrooms, several meeting/conference rooms, both large and medium events spaces, a cafeteria and catering service, highly equipped laboratories, 88 dorm rooms and the Lou Sardella Student Commons Lawn. The natural setting provides a living laboratory and serves as creative inspiration for both scientists, artists and students alike.