Zooplankton are tiny animals that drift through our lakes, but don’t let their size fool you—they play a crucial role in freshwater ecosystems. This talk introduces these microscopic organisms, highlights their ecological importance, and explains what they reveal about the functioning of Sierra Nevada lakes. The introduction of non-native fish has significantly reshaped zooplankton communities, and ongoing climate change is further altering which species are able to thrive. These small creatures offer powerful insight into the broader environmental shifts unfolding in mountain ecosystems.

Celia Symons is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Irvine. She has been studying lakes in the Sierra Nevada since 2013, when she first fell in love with the region’s freshwater ecosystems. Her research focuses on how ecological communities respond to environmental change.

https://www.symonslab.com/research

Register here

In-person event details

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Presentation begins at 6:00 p.m.

Advance tickets are $10 through EventBrite and free for students with a valid student ID. Tickets at the door will be $15.

Refreshments and a no-host bar will be available from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., followed by the lecture beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Emerald Room at Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge, 1850 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA 96145.

Enjoy dinner at Sunnyside before or after the presentation and receive 20% off your entire meal.
If you plan to dine during the presentation, please arrive early and place your order before it begins, as no orders will be taken once the presentation is underway. For more information call 775-881-7560 ext. 7566 or email tercinfo@ucdavis.edu.

Unable to make it in person? Please be sure to visit https://www.youtube.com/c/ucdavistahoe to view recordings of our Science Speaker Series.

We are excited to partner with Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge as the location for this UC Davis TERC Fall Science Speaker lecture series to be held at Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge in Tahoe City (directions). Free self-parking on-site and across the street.