INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Small plastic pieces are causing a big problem for Lake Tahoe. To support efforts to reduce plastic waste, students from environmental clubs at four high schools in the region partnered with staff from local nonprofits to learn about plastic reduction programs and how they can help take care of Lake Tahoe. On Earth Day 2021 their efforts, which began in the fall of 2019, came to fruition when the CEO of Raley’s agreed to create lasting, sustainable changes at their stores. When the initiative began, students from North Tahoe, Truckee, Incline and South Tahoe high schools learned about the prolific microplastics problem impacting Lake Tahoe from UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center AmeriCorps member Elise Matera and staff members at Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships and the Tahoe Water Suppliers Association.