Washoe LukaLeLup leads 2014 showcase of stewardship! Incline Village, NV: Sustainable Tahoe has partnered with the Washoe Cultural Resources Advisory Council inviting them to share their cultural with an indigenous LukaLeLup (Washoe cultural gathering) at the 2014 Tahoe Expo. The public is invited to watch, learn (in some cases participate) in: basket weaving, flint napping, moccasin making, fish netting, Washoe language, hand game, round dance, songs, plus a theatrical performance explaining the significance of the Washoe’s connection to Lake Tahoe. This will be the first time the Washoe have set up a LukALeLup at Sand Harbor, inviting the public to actively participate in learning their story. Equally important is using this venue as a way for the Washoe to help transfer knowledge of heritage and culture from those who know to those who need to know within their own tribe. It is a hands-on cultural exchange that fosters understanding through a direct shared experience. Sustainable Tahoe hopes to support a renewed interest why their stewardship needs to find action in all communities surrounding the lake and throughout the basin (their original homeland). The intent is to rediscover and convey, a timeless perspective that has profound respect for all aspects of the natural balance of Lake Tahoe and the Washoe's relationship to the area. The LukaLeLup offers visitors not only conversation and informed dialogue, but a once-in-a-lifetime chance to directly experience and learn about the Washoe from the Washoe. The Tahoe Geotourism Expo, August 30th and 31st is a region-wide showcase of geotourism adventures and attractions called GeoTracks = fun, meaningful, low-carbon guide adventures designed to deepen the visitors experience, and demonstrate a sustainable economy. These GeoTracks are built around collaborations between agencies, businesses and organizations to highlight sustainability, local culture, heritage, wildlife and unique treasures of Lake Tahoe. The 2014 GeoTracks will be set up throughout the Lake Tahoe watershed from South Lake to Pyramid Lake. Nevada Commission of Tourism, Nevada Humanities, Shakespeare, WaiSUP, NV State Parks, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Tahoe Water Suppliers Association, understanding the significance of this sharing, have provided generous in-kind and grant funding to ensure this geotourism showcase of stewardship. For many of these organizations, this is their fourth year of support! While many of the family-fun geotourism activities are FREE, some have a minimal cost to cover equipment, transit, food and guides, Check website www.TahoeExpo.com for details. For sponsorship, volunteer and more information: www.TahoeExpo.com 775 846-1715 jchandler@sustaintahoe.org 775 287-3982 and www.sustaintahoe.org

REFERENCE

You know how you tell kids, "if you don't want to keep cleaning up...then don't make such a mess"...? Well... that's what Sustainable Tahoe does.

We are trading up...from isolated auto-dependent, 'wonder what that is’ tourism… to guided fun, meaningful, low-carbon geotourism adventures that enrich and deepen visitors connection to Tahoe's inspirational treasures of sky, water, wildlife, plants, land, culture, heritage and community.

According to Dr Charles Goldman, “ Lake Tahoe is the canary in the coal mine for the worlds drinking water”, so Tahoe cannot afford visitors who do not become water stewards at some level. And the good news – it’s fun!

Using collaboration among all regional stakeholders, visitors get hosted to a diverse menu of Tahoe magic, like; going into the forest with Bear expert, weaving a willow basket with a Washoe, eating food grown in a dome, fly fishing with a pro, trying Yoga on a SUP board, or kayaking the Upper Truckee River with a biologist whose passion for the water is contagious! Plus, we provide a variety of transit alternatives, like shuttles, bus, bikes, kayaks, hikes, and water taxis to get around. This geotourism model will preserve water and build sustainable prosperity http://www.slideshare.net/jacquiechandler/sustaining-tahoe

Tahoe sells 'water'! The lake, streams, plants, river, forest, lodging, tourism and all the trimmings are only here because of this precious water! So, how we host this water, will determine our long term prosperity ...and survival. Sustaining Tahoe is a vision we all share. The Tahoe Expo is the demonstration of how we collaborate, celebrate and actually support each other to actually get there.

1) Why the LukaLeLup is important? Despite clarity readings, Lake Tahoe is in a state of decline. The current visitor experience, aided by local development, is adding to this state. Reversing this trend begins with aligning the lake's well being with that of the surrounding communities. Because of the Shakespeare Festival's generous partnering with Sustainable Tahoe, LukaLeLup is already in one of the world's most spectacular venues. With that and the participation of the Washoe, it has the potential to become a groundbreaking family

event inspiring similar events and venues where visitors and communities seek out more respectful visitor experiences and economic diversification that protects Tahoe's natural assets and rich indigenous heritage. We hope the LukaLepLup will address the general lack of public awareness about the vital role the Washoe have played as stewards of Lake Tahoe in the past and how the future is tied to others sharing the Washoe's sense of responsibility towards preserving the lake. This knowledge forms the cornerstone of sustainability and sense of place that makes Lake Tahoe a national treasure worth protecting.

2) Who is invited?

All visitors and interested locals, in particular, families and students. The Tahoe Expo website (www.TahoeExpo.com), along with the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TahoeExpo) will keep people informed and updated .

3) What is Sustainable Tahoe’s past experience with events?

This is Sustainable Tahoe's 4tth Geotourism Expo. The annual demonstration is an ambitious collaboration among up to 85 diverse business, orgs and agencies who collaborate to sponsor, host, guide or support their GeoTrack(s), as part of Tahoe’s 21st century tourism menu and model. The Expo demonstrates what a region-wide geotourism ‘eco-onomy’ feels like, It’s up to the community to continue the collaboration into fall season and beyond until this becomes Tahoe’s global brand. In 2010 we produced a Stewardship Congress, attended by 85 representatives of local sustainability focused organizations. In addition to 16-25 GeoTracks/year running across 150 miles in two states, all of our centralized events have been zero waste. Using region-wide collaboration, volunteers and lead-by-example members of the community, we have arranged for alternative transportation including multiple shuttles running between North and South Lake Tahoe and water taxis, managed stage shows with noted musicians, actors, dancers, Paiute drummers, game show on Tahoe facts, historical enactments, served organic locally grown food, offered bike parking, run beer gardens, provided roaming entertainment, Tahoe Tap and zero-waste. This year’s Washoe LukaLeLup further fulfills our intended purpose of transitioning this once a year demonstration to a community owned 4-season geotourism model.

4) Example of how other organizations been involved: San Jose State University (students created 25 GeoTracks); Sierra Nevada College (students hosted and co-created GeoTracks, Tahoe Resource Conservation District (sponsored and hosted GeoTracks) City of South Lake (sponsored venue and historical enactments), Placer and El Dorado County (sponsored Washoe, Paiute Tribe participation, transit and marketing). WaiSup has supported us by providing SUP Boards to further demonstrate activities that leave no trace and help us with fund raising. This year, the Washoe Cultural Resource Advisory Council is sharing their story with ancestral skills demonstrations, dance, ceremony and song.

5) What we wish to achieve, and how we will measure effectiveness:

Multi-level community engagement that accelerates the adoption of stewardship practices as the brand of Tahoe Having the Washoe narrative move to the forefront of the region's transition towards sustainability, stewardship and geotourism. Geotourism success in Lake Tahoe is tied to Washoe involvement and the special perspective and relationship they share with the water. Having economic, environmental and social models of success for locals and visitors to embrace through gatherings like the LukaLeLup, is key to the future of the Lake. A 4-season tourism menu focused on a sense of place and connection as people think about how they use and enjoy the natural assets and resources of the Tahoe area.. As lines continue to form around these geotourism adventure tracks, we hope resorts support, sponsor and include these activities in their lodging packages.

Measurement: surveys, follow-up debriefs and interviews to assess effectiveness.

August 30 and 31st