LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – 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.

Dr. 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.

In-person Event Details

What Tiny Lake Organisms Reveal About a Changing Environment: Using Zooplankton to Track Ecosystem Change in Sierra Nevada Lakes – with Dr. Celia Symons

Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025

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

Location: Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge

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 the presentation begins, as no orders will be taken after 5:45pm. Diners will be required to put down a credit card which will be closed out before the end of the presentation.

Tickets: Tickets purchased in advance are $10 through Eventbrite and free for students with a student ID. Tickets at the door are $15. Get tickets HERE.

For more information, call 775-881-7560, ext. 7566, or email tercinfo@ucdavis.edu.