Only 100 donors needed to unlock $10,000 for Tahoe Backcountry Alliance

The Tahoe region offers some of the best winter outdoor recreation in the world, but parking availability, snow removal, and limited trailheads often make the backcountry difficult to access. To help the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance tackle these issues, the Tahoe Fund is launching a new $10k matching challenge to the community. 

The first 100 people to donate $35 or more by December 31, 2025 will unlock a $10,000 gift to Tahoe Backcountry Alliance (TBA) in celebration of their 10th anniversary. Donors to the challenge will also receive a TBA membership that corresponds to their gift level. Membership tiers are $35, $150, or $500, and include the following benefits:

• Every TBA member will receive a 3-month free trial with onX with 20% off an onX annual membership if continued
• Everyone at the $150+ level will receive an exclusive Flylow x TBA collab hat
• Core members at the $500+ level receive TBA glass tumblers, a hat and beanie

“The Tahoe Backcountry Alliance does a phenomenal job helping people safely recreate outdoors, especially during the winter months,” said Verdi DiSesa, Tahoe Fund Board Chair. “We want to help make their job even easier. When people donate to help meet the $10,000 match for this fundraising campaign, they’re contributing to an effort that will help improve backcountry access for all.”

As part of their mission, TBA also offers cross-country ski and snowshoe experiences as part of the Washoe Tribe’s Youth Expedition Program, and provides opportunities to borrow sno-park passes and gear for free at libraries throughout El Dorado, Placer and Nevada Counties.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Tahoe Fund for championing our work and investing in preserving and increasing access to human powered backcountry access for everyone,” said Anthony Cupaiuolo, Tahoe Backcountry Alliance Executive Director. “This matching campaign will make a meaningful impact and support the growing community of winter backcountry users.”

Learn more about TBA membership at tahoebackcountryalliance.org/membership, and donate to the Tahoe Fund’s matching challenge at tahoefund.org/tahoebackcountry.

Now that the former Motel 6 building, restaurant, and parking lot have been demolished from the Upper Truckee Marsh in South Lake Tahoe, planning is underway to bring this wetland back to life. To support the next phase of this project, the Tahoe Fund announced “A Million for the Marsh” campaign to raise the first $1 million of private funds to help secure the public funds the California Tahoe Conservancy will need to revive this area and bring significant improvements to Lake Tahoe’s clarity. 

“California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot called the acquisition and demolition of this site ‘the most important in a generation to protect Lake Tahoe,’ and we couldn’t agree more,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “That’s why we’re launching this campaign—so that our donors can show that taking the next step to restore this marsh matters to our community and to the future health of Lake Tahoe.”

The former Motel 6 property, which included 31 acres total, was acquired in March 2024 by the California Tahoe Conservancy with funding from the Conservancy, the California Wildlife Conservation Board, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Tahoe Fund and the League to Save Lake Tahoe. 

Last year, contributions from dozens of Tahoe Fund donors and major gifts from the Latrobe Foundation and the Robert S & Dorothy J Keyser Foundation brought in over $200,000 to support the demolition of the buildings on site, which was completed by the Department of General Services this fall. 

“This project represents a once-in-a-generation chance to return a developed property to a thriving wetland that will actively protect Lake Tahoe,” said Jason Vasques, executive director of the California Tahoe Conservancy. “Restoring this site will improve water quality, expand wildlife habitat, and help secure the long-term resilience of the lake we all love.”

In addition to restoring the watershed and the native habitat, this project further advances the 2012 Lake Tahoe Regional Plan and Environmental Improvement Program by removing aging development from sensitive land and retiring or transferring development rights to town centers.
Learn more and contribute to the project today at tahoefund.org/millionforthemarsh.

Photos by the California Tahoe Conservancy

All bar and raffle purchases at the event will contribute towards this goal

For the 20th anniversary of the Alpenglow Sports Winter Speaker Series, Alpenglow Sports and the Tahoe Fund are partnering together again in the name of fundraising. The Tahoe Fund has generously committed to match up to $20,000 of all in-person funds raised at the five Winter Speaker Series events, 100% of which will be distributed to the five nonprofit beneficiaries of the season! This means that all bar and raffle ticket purchases at each of the five shows will contribute towards reaching this meaningful goal. 

Last year, the Tahoe Fund supported the series in a similar manner—a $19,000 match for 19 years of the Winter Speaker Series—and the outcome was incredibly successful. After the community rose to the occasion and met the initial $19k match early on, the Tahoe Fund doubled the opportunity, resulting in an additional $38,000 raised for the supported nonprofits, or $7,600 each.

“Our team is in awe of the way the community comes together through the Winter Speaker Series in the pursuit of growth. What’s next? How can we do more?” says events manager at Alpenglow Sports, Stef Pyatt. “The conversations that we get to have with the team at the Tahoe Fund are no different as they inspire us to lead with that mentality and keep finding new avenues to support the nonprofit beneficiaries of each season. We are so grateful for their continued partnership and commitment to our community.” 

For the 2025-26 season, the nonprofit beneficiaries include Truckee Dirt Union, Truckee Roundhouse, Lake Tahoe Waterman Association, Headwaters Science Institute, and Tahoe Cross Country Ski Education Association (TCCSEA) respectively. Broadly, this group of organizations provide access to community, outdoor recreation opportunities, and educational programs for everyone. Every show will offer an opportunity to interact with the incredible people behind these organizations and learn more! 

“For 20 years, the Alpenglow Speaker Series has brought our community together to hear from incredible storytellers while also inspiring people to give back to this region,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “In honor of this milestone anniversary, the Tahoe Fund is honored to match all in-person donations up to $20,000 so these five nonprofit beneficiaries can help even more people experience the wonders of outdoor recreation.” 

Enjoy the kick off Winter Speaker Series show, “Yosemite and Beyond” with Emily Harrington and Truckee Dirt Union on Friday, 12/5 at the Palisades Tahoe Olympic Village Event Center and help the series reach $20,000 of in-person funds raised for local nonprofits! Head over to Alpenglow Sports’ website for more details about this event, and to see the rest of the Winter Speaker Series lineup. 

Released at Red Sky Summit, new guide offers a tech-focused blueprint to better prepare communities for wildfire

As wildfire risk intensifies across the West, the Tahoe Fund and partners today unveiled the Fire Smart Community Pilot Playbook at the Red Sky Summit, a gathering of leaders focused on wildfire technology solutions.

The new Playbook captures the process and lessons from the Fire Smart Community Pilot in Tyrolian Village (Incline Village, Nevada) — a first-of-its-kind initiative launched in 2025 to create the most fire-ready community in Lake Tahoe. The Pilot brought together advanced modeling tools, wildfire researchers, local fire districts and homeowners to identify and implement the “mitigations that matter most” for reducing wildfire risk.

“The Fire Smart Community Pilot proves that when you combine the right people, technology and commitment, communities can dramatically increase their wildfire resilience,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “We were proud to launch this Playbook at the Red Sky Summit, where we know so many leaders gather to innovate on wildfire resiliency. We hope this can be a model they can take home to their communities.”

A Model for Action

Developed in partnership with the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD), Tyrolian Village HOA, The Climate and Wildfire Institute, Vibrant Planet, Fire Aside, BurnBot, and Dr. Hussam Mahmoud, RockRose Risk and Tahoe Fund, the Pilot demonstrates how neighborhoods can integrate cutting-edge risk modeling, innovative techniques for mitigating risk, and homeowner engagement to measurably reduce fire danger.

Key outcomes to date include:

• 61 acres of fuel treatments completed in Tyrolian Village, including 34 acres treated by BurnBot in under one week.
• 228 home inspections conducted through Fire Aside, providing residents with personalized defensible-space and home-hardening recommendations.
• Four additional pilots launched across the Tahoe Basin in Nevada and California, expanding this collaborative model region-wide.
• Positive insurance results emerging, including a 33% premium reduction for the McCloud HOA in Incline Village following mitigation actions.

“Technology like Vibrant Planet’s modeling and Fire Aside’s inspections allowed us to prioritize high-impact mitigations quickly,” said NLTFPD Chief Ryan Sommers. “These tools empower fire districts and homeowners alike to make smarter, faster decisions that save both time and property.”

Lessons for Replication

The Playbook provides a step-by-step guide for communities to replicate the Pilot, emphasizing the importance of:

• Strong local leadership from fire districts and community champions;
• Early engagement of technology partners and researchers;
• Collaboration with insurers to align risk reduction with coverage. 

“This isn’t someone else’s project. It’s ours — our neighborhood, our homes, our future,” said Greg Erfani, President of the Tyrolian Village HOA. “By treating our forest, hardening our homes and stepping up together, we’re showing that real change happens when a community decides it will defend itself. We’re sharing our lessons so that other communities can learn what we learned.”

To download the Playbook or connect with project partners, visit tahoefund.org/firesmartpilot or email info@tahoefund.org.

Ribbon cutting ceremony marks the opening of this new feature off Mt. Rose Highway

There’s a new way to experience one of Tahoe’s most loved outdoor recreation spots. The Tahoe Meadows Access Ramp is officially open, making it easier for everyone to enjoy the stunning boardwalk trails just off Mt. Rose Highway.

“Accessibility is a key part of ensuring that everyone can enjoy the beauty of Tahoe,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “This new ramp will help make Tahoe Meadows available to everyone, and we’re incredibly grateful to all of our partners and donors who helped make it happen.”

The Tahoe Fund partnered with the Tahoe Meadows Access Ramp Committee on a fundraising campaign to build an accessibility ramp. The NV Energy Foundation, the Keyser Foundation and dozens of Tahoe Fund donors helped to meet a $75,000 match provided by Steven and Sandy Hardie. The ramp was built by Granite Construction in partnership with the US Forest Service, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Carson Ranger District. 

The idea for this new ramp was originally brought to the Tahoe Fund by Reno community member Roberta Ross. “For years, it has been my dream to make this ramp a reality, and now here we are,” said Ross. “My message to everyone is that you too can make a difference. If you have an idea to bring change to your community, you can make it happen.” 

At a ribbon cutting ceremony today, the partners and donors who made this project possible gathered to celebrate the opening of the new ramp. “This place provides a sense of connectivity with nature, especially for our northern Nevada community,” said Jesse Murray, sr. vice president of energy delivery at NV Energy and a member of the Tahoe Fund’s Forest Committee. “NV Energy Foundation is thrilled to bring this ramp to life alongside the Tahoe Fund as it ensures sustainable and inclusive outdoor recreation for generations to come.”

In addition to the new ramp, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and the US Forest Service, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Carson Ranger District have also been replacing sections of the boardwalks that were due to be decommissioned. Together, these projects mark major improvements in the Tahoe Meadows that will help transform this area into a hub for outdoor accessibility in the Tahoe Basin.