Welcome to part 2 in the interview with Lars Anderson, plant physiologist and aquatic weed specialist. In this conversation Anderson shares insight into how aquatic weeds got to Tahoe in the first place and how everyone can help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive weeds.

It was in 1996 when Lars Anderson first came to Tahoe to evaluate the aquatic weed problem that was growing in the Tahoe Keys. What he saw was the beginning of a problem that has expanded to areas around the lake. Anderson is a plant physiologist whose specialty is aquatic weeds. He has recently retired from a multi-decade career with the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. His home base has been at the University of California at Davis where he has led efforts throughout California to slow or halt the spread and negative impacts of aquatic invasive weeds. In his retirement Anderson has continued to be involved with efforts to stop the spread of aquatic invasive weeds within Lake Tahoe.

As Deputy Secretary for External Affairs at the California Natural Resources Agency Todd Ferrara is frequently involved in Tahoe—applying his agency’s creative approaches and solutions based on science, collaboration and respect, to problem-solving in the Tahoe Basin. In this interview Ferrara gives insight into the Resource Agency’s partnership with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection in supporting the process of updating the Tahoe Regional Plan.

This is a conversation with two scientists who have worked in the field toward improving Lake Tahoe water quality for over a decade. Dr. Nicole Beck is Principal and founder of 2ND NATURE an ecosystem science and design firm based in Santa Cruz, California. Beck has applied her academic credentials in physical and chemical sciences in the field where she has worked on environmental water quality issues since 1993. Jason Drew is an Associate Scientist at Nichols Consulting Engineers. In this interview Beck and Drew share insight into how policies have evolved in Tahoe to better-focus effort on the pollutants causing Tahoe’s decline.

Welcome to part 2 in the conversation with scientists Nicole Beck and Jason Drew who work in the field and at the drawing table on water quality solutions for Tahoe. In this segment Beck and Drew emphasize how maintenance and operations of existing water quality tools and infrastructure is critical to advancing toward water quality goals. They also share insight into the challenges inherent in securing funding for operations and maintenance.