​​Sustainable Tahoe

Accelerating Geotourism for a Thriving Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is one of the most awe-inspiring places on Earth—but its beauty is fragile, and its future depends on those who visit. Tahoe’s stunning beauty is shaped by its rare geography and delicate watershed. 63 creeks feed the lake—each one a wildlife corridor, vital to the bears, birds, and ecosystems that make this place so alive. But every year, 15 million visitors risk overwhelming what they came to experience.

At Sustain Tahoe, we believe visitors are the key for sustaining Tahoe . It begins with connection.
Connection leads to caring. And caring leads to stewardship.
Geotourism is travel that celebrates and sustains the unique character of a place: its landscape, culture, wildlife, and community.

That’s why we’re here.
Sustain Tahoe works with the tourism industry to transform visitors into allies through experiences that deepen connection—so that people don’t just take pictures of Tahoe, they take care of Tahoe.

Together we can create tourism where loving a place means learning how to protect it.

How Geotourism-Friendly Was Your Tahoe Experience?

As you explore Lake Tahoe, let us know how well your visit reflects the principles of Geotourism—travel that helps protect and celebrate the places we love.

Rate each from 1 (Not at all) to 5 (Excellent).
1 – Not at all | 2 – A little | 3 – Fair | 4 – Pretty good | 5 – Excellent

* Indicates required field

1. Did you feel welcomed by locals? *

2. Did your visit feel aligned with responsible travel values like respect, sustainability, and fairness? *

3. Did the culture feel like it cared about the natural environment? *

4. Did you have diverse choices for food, lodging, and experiences that reflected Tahoe’s character and worked with a range of budgets? *

5. Did your visit leave you excited to tell others and recommend the destination or experience? *

6. Was it easy learn about Tahoe’s art, culture, people, and history and access the lake? *

7. Were you able to find locally-made items or experiences that supported community well-being? *

8. Did you find businesses and activities that supported preservation of landscape, wildlife, and cultural sites? *

9. Did it feel like Tahoe is being protected from being overbuilt or overcrowded? *

10. Did you notice efforts to reduce waste, save water, or use energy responsibly? *

11. Did it feel like Tahoe is on track for a sustainable future vs short term profit? *

12. Were there opportunities to engage deeply with the stories, nature, or people of Tahoe? *

13. Were you able to access the Lake? (your National Treasure) *

14. Where are you traveling from? *

15. What types of activities did you do? *

16. Your Occupation? *

17. Any additional feedback regarding your Tahoe experience? *

18. Would you like to receive occasional tips on how to be a Tahoe Steward, support Geotourism, and protect places you love?

Yes, sign me up!

Enter your email: *

You scored Tahoe's Geotourism viability as (grade goes here) *

D) 13 to 26 – Tahoe's 'hosting' protocols and visitor menu need serious revision
C) 26 to 39 – Tahoe tourism may have some principles working, but needs to enroll more
B) 39 to 52 – Tahoe can now build on the Geotourism principles they have adopted
A) 52 to 65 – Tahoe can now advance more ways to PROMOTE and SUSTAIN their Geotourism hosting

Thank you for taking time to help Tahoe become a lead-by-example Geotourism model!

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Geotourism

What is Geotourism:
https://www.slideshare.net/jacquiechandler/geotourism-explained

Who is doing it well:
https://www.slideshare.net/jacquiechandler/geotourism-scores-115-top-world-destinations

How we demonstrated Geotourism:
Lake Tahoe's new currency from Jacquie Chandler

How to create Geotourism Adventures:
In order to build more local fluency, we converted our Tahoe Geotourism Expo into a learn-by-doing curriculum below. Please review the DRAFT Geotourism Course and let us know how it might serve your individual, business or resort mgt. needs. We look forward to your feedback

DRAFT Geotourism Course

Thanks to all who hosted and participated during the Stewardship Congress and the 4 Tahoe Expositions of Stewardship that lead by example (Tahoe Expo).

This course represents the next phase of our mission to help the region more fully realize sustainable economic, environmental and social prosperity.