Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden

Very cool little garden tucked away between LTCC and the Forestry Building. Main access is from the LTCC parking lot by the Arts Department. Paths run in a twisty pattern that makes it easy to see everything and hard to lose your bearings (and also give access to the meadow).
This is a great place to bring the whole family. My daughter (almost two) and I spent the better part of two hours wandering around, enjoying the flora and the different examples of what they call Best Management Practices — examples of building and landscaping methods that best minimize erosion and control water runoff. It’s an interesting way to involve everyone — homeowners and renters a like — in preserving Lake Tahoe. It also makes for a really cool visit, because it almost feels like you’re wandering through what’s left of Middle Earth, finding a new «house» around each turn. Each structure has signage explaining why it benefits the basin.
The plants are all clearly labeled, though with a toddler in tow I wasn’t able to hunt down what this giant shrub in growing in our backyard (maybe next trip we’ll take da hubby with us). There’s a little «Greek» theater set up at the beginning of the path — great spot to take a knee and have a snack after exploring.