Courtesy TINSThe Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS) invites the community to celebrate 15 years of connecting people with the natural world during its anniversary celebration at Rubicon Pizza in Northstar Village on Monday, Nov. 3.
15 Years of Local Impact
Over the past decade and a half, TINS has grown from a small nonprofit with a vision to connect people to nature into one of the Tahoe region’s most active and respected environmental organizations, according to a press release. Since its founding in 2010, the organization has:
- Connected more than,000 students with nature through in-school science lessons, summer camps and outdoor learning programs.
- Hosted more than 800 guided outings, talks and presentations, reaching more than 17,000 participants through citizen science projects, bird walks and nature festivals.
- Conducted extensive wildlife research, including banding more than 7,000 birds at six long-term study sites, coordinating the region’s Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Count, and ongoing Peregrine Falcon and rare butterfly and native plant monitoring.
- Partnered with public land managers and conservation agencies to generate science used in key environmental planning decisions across the Tahoe Basin.
- Cultivated active online communities through the Tahoe Birding and Tahoe Wildflowers groups, totaling more than 6,500 members and volunteers.
“Reaching this milestone gives us an opportunity not only to look back but to strengthen our programs for the future,” executive director Will Richardson said. “It’s about ensuring that the next generation can connect with and care for Tahoe’s extraordinary ecosystems.”
Supporting the Next 15 Years
TINS’ 15th anniversary year also marks the launch of its 15 Projects for 15 Years initiative, a set of sponsorship opportunities supporting core programs like the Tahoe Wildflower Big Year, Youth Nature Camps and ongoing Bird Banding Research. Sponsorships directly fund education, field science, and inclusive access programs designed to reach even more families and schools across the region.
As TINS looks ahead, the organization continues to work toward its goal of a world-class interpretive nature center and educational facility —a permanent home for hands-on learning and community involvement around Lake Tahoe.
Event Details
What: TINS 15th Anniversary Celebration
When: Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, 5-9 PM
Where: Rubicon Pizza, Northstar Village
Admission: $25 adults / $15 kids (includes buffet and raffle ticket)
Raffle prizes include lift tickets from Palisades Tahoe and Diamond Peak, Tahoe Mountain Sports and Scheels gift cards, and other prizes from local businesses. | https://tinyurl.com/TINSRubicon
 as it celebrates 15 years of science, stewardship, and environmental education at a special anniversary event at Rubicon Pizza in Northstar Village on Nov. 3. The evening supports TINS’ mission to connect people with nature through research, outreach, and hands-on learning across the Tahoe Basin.){kind=link}