The Discovery center at the LakePort Carnegie Library

The Discovery Center (working title)

Housed in the historic Carnegie Library in Lakeport, CLERC’s Discovery Center is designed to inspire curiosity and foster understanding of Clear Lake’s unique ecology, geology, and cultural history. Through immersive, hands-on exhibits and dynamic storytelling, the program connects visitors of all ages to the natural world.

Black and white photo of a historic Carnegie Library in Lakeport, CA
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Our Vision

To transform the historic Carnegie Library into a Discovery Center — a vibrant, community-driven space that honors the building’s legacy while inspiring curiosity, environmental stewardship, and lifelong learning through hands-on exhibits, local history, and science-based education for all ages.

Our Plan

We’re taking a thoughtful, community-driven approach to transforming the Carnegie Library into the Discovery Center. CLERC has held numerous meetings with local educators, scientists, and stakeholders, and worked with a consultant to refine the scope and messaging of the Center. With a clear vision shaped by community input, we’re now focused on fundraising to support renovations, exhibit development, and educational programming.

Our Concept

Clear Lake: Learn how California’s largest natural freshwater lake was formed, what threatens it today — like cyanobacteria and algae blooms — and what’s being done to protect it.

The Watershed and Tributaries: Follow the flow of water into Clear Lake and see how local creeks, rainfall, and land use impact the lake’s health and clarity.

The Flora (Plants): Discover native plants that support wildlife, clean water, and resilient ecosystems — and how they’re affected by fire and climate change.

The Fauna (Wildlife): From fish to birds to bears, get to know the animals of the Clear Lake Basin and how they survive and thrive in a changing landscape.

The Geology: Explore the lake’s volcanic origins, geothermal activity, and how local geology continues to shape the land and ecosystem.

A concept rendering of an environmental research center exhibit space with mounted flying bird models on the ceiling, circular wall art, and people viewing informational displays.
Interior of an exhibit room with model birds suspended from the ceiling, a large glass-topped table with a geographical model, and children viewing display panels related to environmental topics.
Two young women with backpacks looking at an exhibit about lakes, rivers, and volcanoes at the Clear Lake Environmental Research Center, with a large window showing a sunset over a body of water.
A room with large windows, people observing wildlife displays, hanging bird models from the ceiling, and colorful wall decorations.
Design plan for a mega fauna exhibit at the Clear Lake Environmental Research Center, with mounted animal models including a mountain lion, fox, and bear, display panels, a discovery desk, and a woman observing the exhibit.
Floor plan diagram for Clear Lake Environmental Research Center, showing labeled rooms such as Welcome, Algae, Geology, Aquatic, Oak Life Cycle, Megafauna, Discovery Carts, Time Travelers, and an elevator, with outdoor signage indicated outside.

The Ancient History: Clear Lake is around 2.5 million years old. Its sediments preserve a timeline of ancient climates, volcanic events, and the secrets of ecosystems long gone.