A sample of the adventures waiting at the Tahoe Expo. Courtesy photoWhile many take Lake Tahoe's crystal waters for granted, a local non-profit, Sustainable Tahoe, is working hard to keep it clean. Jacquie Chandler founded Sustainable Tahoe in 2007 with the idea that Tahoe can sustain water clarity as visitation increases. Now, the Tahoe Expo (September 8-9) celebrates the geotourism model—connecting people to the local environment in a fun, sustainable way, reducing car dependence, and providing locally sourced food.

Led by regional wildlife and nature experts, a dozen Adventure Tracks offer participants everything from river paddling trips to learn about wildlife habitat, to meadow hikes with the goal of spotting rare birds and bears while learning how their habitats are being protected. You can even practice yoga on the lake using a stand up paddleboard. "We get people to embrace Tahoe in a way they feel connected," says Chandler. —Dave MacRunnel

View all 12 tracks with itineraries, location details, and registration, or donate to the cause, at tahoeexpo.com.