Located at the site of the Historic Fish Hatchery built in 1920-21 at 2400 Lake Forest Road just east of Tahoe City, where John Steinbeck once worked as a caretaker and completed his first novel. The UC Davis Eriksson Education Center includes information about the former hatchery operations and ongoing research to protect Lake Tahoe. Video exhibits, interactive games, and a timeline introduce the history of the building and ecological changes in the lake. Outside a path meanders through native plant demonstration gardens, a newly restored stream, and research experiments under way in test plots.

More About the Facility

The state Department of Fish and Game closed the hatchery in 1956, and UC Davis took up residence there in 1975, using the hatchery as a base for research and field operations.

This work goes well beyond the university’s well-publicized annual reports on the lake’s clarity. Researchers also identify and track non-native species, monitor air quality, and develop new approaches for treating polluted storm water.

In October 2006, the university moved its base of Tahoe operations to the new Tahoe Environmental Research Center at Incline Village, Nev., on the lake’s northeastern shore. The TERC, including the Thomas J. Long Foundation Education Center, is housed in the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences, a collaboration between UC Davis and Sierra Nevada College.

Then UC Davis set about restoring the fish hatchery, dating back to the 1920s. The project cost nearly $4.5 million in federal, state and local grants, as well as private donations.

The university renovated the main building, added the education center and removed obsolete buildings. In addition, the university restored nearby wetlands, creating a living laboratory for scientists, students and the public.

Officially, it is the Tahoe City Field Station. Unofficially, it is the historic fish hatchery. Author John Steinbeck once worked as a caretaker at the hatchery, living in a cottage behind the main building, and during this time completed his first novel, Cup of Gold.

The 3,000-square-foot main building comprises offices and a conference area, wet lab, scuba locker, workshop and storage.

A small addition houses the Eriksson Education Center, named in memory of Paul and Helen Eriksson. “Donor Paula Mathis named the center after her grandparents, who used to bring Paula to the hatchery when she was a little girl,” said Heather Segale, education and outreach coordinator for the Tahoe Environmental Research Center.

With the opening of the Eriksson Education Center, the public has access to the hatchery for the first time since it closed in 1956. The education center includes video of the hatchery in operation — courtesy of the family of the late Harley Groves, who shot the film when he worked at the hatchery.

Other video presentations showcase the university’s lake research, including a recently launched project to try to rid the lake of invasive Asian clams.

The education center also includes three interactive exhibits: Life Cycle Quiz, about the progression of fish from egg to adult; Species ID, about the lake’s fish and other critters; and the Invasive Species Timeline, about some of the lake’s non-native invaders and where they came from.

“These are all done in cartoon style and designed for kids,” Segale said.

A timeline tells the history of the building and ecological changes in the lake.

Outside, a path runs through upland and wetland demonstration gardens. A half dozen interpretive signs tell about native plants and wetlands wildlife, development impacts, the restoration of Polaris Creek and the importance of wetlands, as well as the research that is under way in test plots. Segale said the center will provide seasonal plant, bird, butterfly and wildlife field guides.

With the gardens, the Tahoe scientists are showing area residents how they can create truly “green” landscaping, and best management practices for protecting the lake’s water clarity.

AT A GLANCE

Eriksson Education Center at the Tahoe City Field Station (historic fish hatchery): 2400 Lake Forest Road, at the junction of Lake Forest Road and Highway 28 (North Tahoe Boulevard), about 1¼ miles northeast of Tahoe City. If you are walking or biking, you can use the paved path from Tahoe City; the path runs parallel to Highway 28 and goes past the field station.

Free tours, led by volunteer docents: 1-5 p.m. Saturdays through Sept. 4. Tours are also available by appointment; to make arrangements, call 775-881-7566 or send an e-mail to tercinfo@ucdavis.edu.

At other times this summer, the education center is generally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Even when the center is closed, people are welcome to visit the grounds, which feature a half dozen interpretive panels among the demonstration gardens and test plots.

Seasons Open: Summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day) or by appointment

Hours Open: 9am-5pm during peak summer months, guided tours on summer Saturdays 10am-2pm, or by appointment

Fees: Free. Donations accepted.

ADA accessible.

Walk through a beautiful demonstration garden with native plants, interpretive panels and examples of water quality best management practices (BMPs). Educational interpretive signage and video exhibits about the environment and environmental science are showcased at the center.

Pets allowed on leashes.