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Stories of Hands-On Learning & Real-World Impact

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Less Organic Waste = Lower Carbon Emissions

SWEP students work with TTUSD to divert 13, 000 pounds of food waste from local landfills annually.

Simone Tenorio

May 11, 2023

A Party for the Planet: Earth Day 2023

Sustainability Club Students Celebrate Earth Day with a Trashion Show at Palisades Tahoe "For Earth Day, we need to act (boldly),...

Simone Tenorio

Apr 19, 2023

Stories of SWEP's Stewardship Impact

As we look ahead and make plans for 2023, we reflect on our journey and would like to share stories of SWEP's continuing stewardship...

Simone Tenorio

Dec 12, 2022

November is National Gratitude Month!

SWEP is deeply honored to receive this acknowledgement from the Town of Truckee and Councilmember Klovstad. We'd like to express our...

Simone Tenorio

Nov 2, 2022

A Day of Native Trout Education

SWEP's Fisheries Field Day 2022 offered 3rd grade students an opportunity to be outside, learning about Lahontan cutthroat trout.

Jenna Granger

Jun 16, 2022

Zero Waste Solutions to Climate Change

SWEP's Sustainability Clubs worked hard to divert waste from the landfill in the 2021-22 school year.

Jenna Granger

May 25, 2022

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♻️ **Shareware in action!**

The NTHS volleyball team recently used SWEP’s Shareware set for their team BBQ — swapping single-use plates, cups and utensils for reusable ones. 🙌

Shareware is available at every TTUSD school site and can be checked out for school parties, PTO events, staff gatherings, club and team events, and more.

It’s a simple way to reduce single-use waste and help @tahoetruckeeusd move toward its Zero Waste goals. 🌎

Thanks, @northtahoehs Volleyball, for leading by example!

#SWEP #Shareware #ZeroWaste #TTUSD #NTHS #Sustainability #TahoeTruckee

🌎🎶 Do One Thing!

Last Sunday, SWEP Field Instructor Conor and his wife, Carin, represented SWEP at the Village Green at the Jack Johnson concert, inviting concertgoers to participate in our “Do One Thing” (DOT) activity.

Guests shared simple actions they could take for the environment and categorized them as things to do “With the Kids,” “This Year,” “During the Holidays,” and more.

It was a fun reminder that meaningful environmental action doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it starts with just one thing. 💚

A big thank you to Jack Johnson and his team for creating space for environmental action and helping inspire our community to Do One Thing!

@allatonce_org @jackjohnson

#DoOneThing #AllAtOnce #JackJohnson #SWEP #TahoeTruckee #EnvironmentalActionThroughMusic

🌿 Say hello to Emma! 🌿

We’re so happy to have Emma Montgomery joining SWEP as a Field Instructor!

Emma brings a love of adventure, learning, and the outdoors to her work with students—and we’re excited to have her sharing that enthusiasm across the Tahoe-Truckee region. 🏔️🌲

Help us give Emma a big SWEP welcome! 💚

🏔️ Welcome to the team, Rachael! 💚

From exploring the mountains to connecting students with the places they call home, Rachael Blum brings plenty of curiosity, passion and outdoor experience to her new role as a SWEP Field Instructor.

We’re thrilled to have her on board and can’t wait for you to get to know her! 🌲💧❄️

🎉 Congratulations, Kenny Blum! 🎉

Kenny is the lucky winner of our pair of tickets to see Jack Johnson on September 6! 🎶

A huge thank you to Kenny and Little Truckee Ice Creamery for their continued support of SWEP — from campaign contributions to donating their time, delicious ice cream, and proceeds to support our work. We are so grateful! 💙

Enjoy the show, Kenny! 🌊🎸

📸 Pictured: The @littletruckeeicecreamery truck serving up delicious ice cream at the annual Truckee River Day Fair!

💧 Small changes can make a big difference! 🌱

From inside your home to your backyard, there are lots of simple ways to conserve water and make every drop count. Swipe through for a few of TDPUD’s favorite water-saving tips! ➡️

And if you’re in the Truckee area tomorrow, come learn even more about local water conservation efforts at the TDPUD Conservation Garden Party! 🌿

📅 Saturday, August 29
⏰ 11 AM–2 PM
📍 TDPUD Conservation Garden

Join TDPUD and local partners for a FREE community open house featuring water-wise gardening tips, local landscape resources, rebate opportunities, and more.

🌎💧 Let’s work together to protect our water resources—one drop at a time!

@truckeedonnerpud

#WaterConservation #Truckee #Tahoe #WaterWise #SustainableLiving #Conservation #TruckeeTahoe

Wishing everyone a fantastic start to the 2026/27 school year! 🍎📚

We can’t wait to learn, explore, and connect with you in the Great Outdoors. Here’s to a wonderful year of discovery, adventure, and watershed learning! 💧🌲

Here’s to a fantastic year ahead! 🎉

💙🐟 The sweetest mail!

We recently received thank-you cards and drawings from students at the Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe who participated in our Trout in the Classroom program—and they absolutely made our day!

It’s wonderful to see how hands-on experiences connect students to our local watershed and the amazing creatures that call it home. 🐟💦

Thank you to these young stewards for taking the time to share your creativity and appreciation with us. We’re so glad you’re part of the SWEP community!

@bgcnlt

#TroutInTheClassroom #SWEP #WatershedEducation #EnvironmentalEducation #youngstewards

🌱 TDPUD Garden Party! 🌱

Join the Truckee Donner Public Utility District for a FREE community open house at the TDPUD Conservation Garden!

📅 Saturday, August 29
⏰ 11 AM–2 PM

This FREE community open house is a great opportunity to learn about water-wise landscaping, connect with local nurseries and landscapers, and discover resources to help your garden thrive while using less water.

💧 Learn what California’s new water conservation regulations mean for Truckee
🌿 Explore drought-tolerant garden demos
💰 Discover rebates for outdoor water savings
🌱 Get tips for planning your next garden
❓ Talk with TDPUD staff and local landscape experts

Fall is one of the best times to make landscaping changes, giving new plants time to establish before winter.

Plus, light refreshments will be served!

👉 A great local event for anyone interested in creating a beautiful, sustainable, water-wise landscape.

@TruckeeDonnerPublicUtilityDistrict

#Truckee #WaterConservation #WaterWiseLandscaping #TDPUD #SustainableLandscaping #TruckeeEvents

🌿 $2,115 IN MATCHING FUNDS ARE STILL AVAILABLE! 🌿

There’s still time to double your impact for environmental education in the Tahoe-Truckee region!

Thanks to the Johnson Ohana Foundation, every dollar donated to SWEP will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to the remaining $2,115.

That means:
💚 $25 becomes $50
💚 $50 becomes $100
💚 $2,115 in donations can become $4,230 for students, the environment, and SWEP programming!

Help us unlock the full match by August 31!
👉 Link in Bio!

🎟️ Every donor will be entered to win a pair of tickets to Jack Johnson’s September 6 concert at Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre!

Thank you for helping local students learn, explore, and care for the places they call home. 🌲💧❄️

#SWEP #TahoeTruckee #EnvironmentalEducation #JackJohnson #AllAtOnce

🌟 Throwback Thursday!

It's hard to pick a favorite moment from this school year, but this one is definitely near the top. 💚

This spring, we celebrated our first-ever Defensible Space Stewardship Day at Tahoe Lake Elementary! After launching the program on the Truckee side in 2023, expanding to the lakeside was an exciting milestone.

Students worked alongside Tahoe Resource Conservation District: Fire Adapted Communities and the North Tahoe Fire Department to learn how creating defensible space helps protect homes, schools, and forests from wildfire. From clearing pine needles and ladder fuels to hearing directly from local firefighters, they gained hands-on skills while making a real difference in their community.

Watching these young stewards learn, collaborate, and take action reminded us exactly why we do this work. 🌲🔥 Here's to many more Defensible Space Stewardship Days in the years ahead!

@tahoelakeelementaryschool @northtahoefire

#ThrowbackThursday #SWEP #DefensibleSpace #Stewardship #OutdoorLearning #WildfirePreparedness #TahoeTruckee #EnvironmentalEducation

🎶 Music for a mission. Nature for the next generation. 🌿

Here's your chance to see Jack Johnson live while making a lasting impact for local students.

When you enter our Jack Johnson ticket drawing, you're helping fund hands-on environmental education that inspires curiosity, stewardship, and a lifelong connection to the outdoors.

💚 Even better? Thanks to the Johnson Ohana Foundation, every donation will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $2,500—doubling your impact!

🎟️ Win two tickets to the concert.
🌲 Help create unforgettable outdoor learning experiences.
✨ Double your impact while the match lasts.

The winner will be contacted August 24.

Enter today through the link in our bio or visit our website. Every entry helps bring more students outside to learn, explore, and care for the places they call home.

And if you're attending the concert, be sure to stop by the SWEP booth at the Village Green to say hello—we'd love to meet you and share more about our work!

#JackJohnson #JohnsonOhanaFoundation #SWEP #DoubleYourImpact #OutdoorLearning #EnvironmentalEducation #TahoeTruckee

Did you know? 👀

Last school year, SWEP provided 24,603 student learning experiences across the Tahoe-Truckee region.

Every field trip, classroom lesson, stewardship project, and outdoor adventure helps build the next generation of environmental stewards.

Thank you to everyone who makes this work possible. 💚

🤝 Partnerships make outdoor learning possible.

Thank you to Tahoe Truckee Excellence in Education Foundation for helping bring hands-on science experiences to local students. 🌲🔬

Together we're inspiring curiosity and stewardship in the next generation. 💚

@excellence_in_education

🎶 Love Jack Johnson?

Enter to win two tickets to see Jack Johnson while supporting hands-on environmental education for local students!

Thanks to the Johnson Ohana Foundation, every donation made through this fundraiser will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $2,500—doubling your impact for SWEP's programs.

🎟️ Winner will be contacted August 24
🌿 Every entry helps connect students with the outdoors through meaningful, place-based environmental education.

Visit our website or click the link in our bio to enter and help us make twice the impact! 💚

#JackJohnson #JohnsonOhanaFoundation #SWEP #EnvironmentalEducation #TahoeTruckee #SupportLocalStudents #DoubleYourImpact

Did you know? 👀

SWEP does more than provide outdoor and environmental science education—we also support Tahoe Truckee Unified School District's waste reduction efforts by helping divert hard-to-recycle materials from the landfill.

During the 2025–2026 school year, together we diverted:
♻️ 819 pounds of hard-to-recycle waste from local schools
That's 64,724 individual items, including:
🔋 Batteries
💻 E-waste
🖨️ Printer cartridges
🗑️ Materials collected through Smart Sorting Bins
…and more!

Every item diverted helps conserve resources, reduce landfill waste, and teaches students that even small actions can have a meaningful environmental impact.
Thank you to our students, school staff, and community partners for helping keep these materials out of our landfills—one item at a time. 💚

#SWEP #WasteReduction #RecycleRight #TerraCycle #TTUSD #EnvironmentalEducation #TahoeTruckee #Sustainability

Three days. Hundreds of student discoveries. Countless moments of curiosity.

This spring, North Tahoe School sixth graders explored forests, watersheds, wildlife, and teamwork through our TAHOE Lab & Outdoor School program. These hands-on experiences help students build confidence while developing a deeper connection to the place they call home.

Read about this year's adventures on our blog! 🌲💙
https://www.4swep.org/post/connecting-students-to-nature-inside-swep-s-6th-grade-outdoor-education-camp

🎶 SWEP x Jack Johnson Summer Fundraiser 🎶

We're excited to partner with the Johnson Ohana Foundation and the All At Once community to support environmental education for local students.

From now through August 21, every donation to SWEP will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $2,500.

Our goal is to raise $2,500 and unlock the full match—doubling the impact of every gift to support hands-on science, stewardship, and outdoor learning experiences throughout the Tahoe/Truckee region.

As a special thank-you, donors will also be entered into a drawing for TWO tickets to see Jack Johnson at Lake Tahoe Amphitheater on September 6!

💚 Donate today at our link in bio!

Winner will be announced on August 24.
Official drawing rules apply.

@jackjohnson Jack Johnson
#JackJohnson #SummerFundraiser #AllAtOnce #SURFILMUSIC2026

During the last week of school, third graders from Tahoe Lake Elementary and Kings Beach Elementary came together at Pomin Park for a Fisheries Field Day, exploring local aquatic ecosystems through hands-on learning stations and field observations.

Students learned about the native Lahontan cutthroat trout and its role in the Tahoe watershed, connecting classroom science to the ecosystems right in their own backyard.

A big thank you to Tahoe City Public Utility District for the opportunity to host this fun, hands-on program at Pomin Park, making this outdoor learning experience possible. We also extend our gratitude to Tahoe Environmental Research Center AmeriCorps, Lahontan National Fish Hatchery, and Cast Hope for sharing their expertise and helping students build meaningful connections to fisheries science, native species conservation, and watershed stewardship. 🐟💙🌲

Tahoe City Parks and Recreation - TCPUD @ucdavistahoe @kbelions @tahoelakeelementaryschool Cast Hope

Happy Birthday Month, Conor! 🎉

We’re celebrating Conor all month long and are so grateful for the energy, care, and steady presence he brings to field days and outdoor learning with students. Wishing you a year filled with epic mountain bike rides, strong endurance runs, plenty of time on the trails, and countless adventures ahead. Thanks for all you do for our students and our team! 🚵‍♂️🏃‍♂️🌲🎂

A huge success for the TAHOE Lab & Outdoor School Program with North Tahoe Middle School 6th graders!

Students completed a 2-night overnight experience filled with hands-on field science, forest health exploration, water quality monitoring, bird watching, art, reflection, and teamwork—deepening their connection to the Tahoe watershed while building confidence, curiosity, and community. From time in the field to shared camp experiences, students showed up with energy, care, and a willingness to learn in every part of the program.

A heartfelt thank you to Tahoe Truckee Unified School District, Tahoe Institute for Natural Science, Tahoe Environmental Research Center, California State Parks, TTUSD Food Services, and the high school counselors who supported students throughout the experience and helped make everything run smoothly.

Special appreciation to Molly Moore and Troy Corliss for bringing creativity into the experience through art and nature journaling with students, and to ACHIEVE Tahoe for providing engaging adaptive archery enrichment that students truly enjoyed.

A true community effort—and a powerful reminder of what meaningful outdoor learning looks like when students are supported by so many dedicated partners.

@ttusdfood @tahoetruckeeusd @northtahoehs @castateparkstahoe @ucdavistahoe @achievetahoe

🌿💧 Water Conservation in Action with SELS Green Teams

As the weather warms up, our students are thinking about one of our most important local resources—water.

At Sierra Expeditionary Learning School (SELS), Green Teams created “cootie catcher” fortune tellers filled with simple, practical water-saving tips. From turning off taps while brushing teeth to smarter outdoor watering habits, these interactive tools help make conservation fun, memorable, and student-led.

This project is part of our ongoing water and energy education efforts in partnership with the Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD), supporting hands-on learning that empowers students to take small actions with big impact in our watershed.

We’re grateful for the creativity and leadership of our student Green Teams as they help build a more sustainable Tahoe-Truckee community. 💙

@truckeedonnerpud Truckee Donner Public Utility District @sierra_expeditionary_learning

#WaterConservation #StudentLeadership #WatershedEducation #Sustainability #SWEP #TTUSD

Today is the day 🌿✨

We’re excited to welcome North Tahoe Middle School 6th graders into this incredible outdoor space for TAHOE Lab & Outdoor School. Stay tuned for days of hands-on learning, exploration, and connection in nature. 💚

#NatureImmersion

From site walks and planning meetings to activity prep and scheduling, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes to bring TAHOE Lab & Outdoor School to life. We’re excited to welcome students for three unforgettable days of outdoor learning and exploration in the Tahoe basin. 💚

Soon, the forest will be filled with curious 6th graders! 🌲🔬

#OutdoorEducation #Tahoe #NatureBasedLearning #SWEP #PlaceBasedEducation

Defensible Space Stewardship Day at Tahoe Lake Elementary was a huge success! 🌲🔥

After launching this program on the Truckee side in 2023, this school year marked our first expansion to the lakeside — and what an incredible day it was. Students rolled up their sleeves alongside Tahoe Resource Conservation District: Fire Adapted Communities and North Tahoe Fire Department to learn hands-on wildfire preparedness, forest stewardship, and the importance of creating defensible space around homes and schools.

From removing pine needles and ladder fuels to learning directly from local firefighters, students gained real-world skills while helping care for their community and environment. We are so proud of these young stewards for their hard work, teamwork, and enthusiasm throughout the day!

A huge thank you to Tahoe Resource Conservation District: Fire Adapted Communities and North Tahoe Fire Department for partnering with us to make this meaningful experience possible. We are excited to continue growing this program across the Tahoe-Truckee region. 💚

@tahoelakeelementaryschool @northtahoefire

#DefensibleSpace #StewardshipDay #TahoeLakeElementary #TahoeCityFire #WildfirePreparedness #EnvironmentalEducation #TahoeTruckee #SWEP

Connecting students to trees and much more… ✨
6th graders in an old growth forest coming soon 🌲
TAHOE Lab & Outdoor School | June 3–5

This spring, SWEP launched a pilot after-school program at Glenshire Elementary: Nature Explores 🌿🔍

Led by SWEP Field Instructor Conor, the club has given students the opportunity to slow down, explore, and connect with nature right in their own backyard. From plants and flowers to animal tracks and insects, each week students followed their curiosity and shared exciting discoveries with one another.

While each meeting began with a theme, the real magic came from unexpected moments of exploration and discovery. It’s been incredible to watch students’ individual interests emerge and their excitement about the natural world grow week after week. 🌲🪲🌼

Programs like Nature Explores help students build observation skills, confidence, curiosity, and a deeper connection to the outdoors — sometimes right in their own backyard.

Glenshire Elementary School PTO @glenshirepto

#NatureExplores #OutdoorLearning #SWEP #EnvironmentalEducation #GlenshireElementary #LearningOutside #TahoeTruckee #STEMEducation #NatureConnection

As we reflect on this winter’s Sevison Winter Survival, Stewardship & Science (SWSSS) program, we are incredibly grateful for another impactful season of outdoor learning with local students. ❄️⛷️🌲

This year, 281 students from Alder Creek Middle School and North Tahoe School participated in SWEP’s hands-on winter field program designed to help youth build confidence, stewardship, and winter safety skills in the Tahoe environment.

Created in memory of Lance Sevison, the SWSSS program teaches students how to safely navigate mountain winters through immersive learning experiences including:
🏔️ Avalanche awareness & forecasting
🐾 Avalanche dog demonstrations
💧 Snow-water equivalent science experiments
🌎 Leave No Trace stewardship principles
⛺ Winter survival skills, including building quinzees
🤝 Team-building activities like the Snowshoe Olympics

As winter storms become more intense and unpredictable, programs like SWSSS help equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed to safely and responsibly enjoy the outdoors.

This program was made possible by Vail Resorts Epic Promise Foundation and Northstar. Thank you for helping us empower local youth through outdoor education, stewardship, and winter safety programming. 💙

@northstar_california @vail.resorts

#SWEP #SWSSS #WinterEducation #YouthInTheOutdoors #StewardshipInAction #PartnershipInAction #AvalancheAwareness

🏙️ This school year, students in the ACMS EcoAction Club partnered with Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships to design and build their own sustainable cities! 🌱

Over the course of this 6-week hands-on project, students explored real-world solutions for:
⚡ Energy production
🚲 Transportation
🌾 Food production
♻️ Waste management
🌲 Protecting natural areas

Through creativity, teamwork, and hands-on learning, students imagined communities designed with sustainability in mind while also learning about sustainable systems already in place here in Truckee.

We loved seeing their innovative ideas come to life and the thoughtful ways they envisioned a greener future! 💚

@aldercreekmiddleschool

#SustainableCity #Conservation #TheFutureIsGreen

Happy Birthday to one of the newest members of the SWEP team, Rachael! 🎉🥳

We’re so happy to have you on board and excited to continue getting to know you this year. Thank you for jumping into the adventure with us and being part of our field instructor team! Seen here teaching a group of second graders during our Sandcastle Science program, Rachael is already helping students connect with the natural world through hands-on learning experiences. 🌿🔎

Wishing you a wonderful birthday and a year ahead full of new experiences, laughter, and memorable moments. 🎂✨

#HappyBirthday #BirthdayGirl

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@sweptahoe

Our Recent Work in Action!

Less Organic Waste = Lower Carbon Emissions

A Party for the Planet: Earth Day 2023

Stories of SWEP's Stewardship Impact

November is National Gratitude Month!

A Day of Native Trout Education

Zero Waste Solutions to Climate Change

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