Caroline Waldman, Author at Tahoe Fund

First-Ever Tahoe Heartbeat Festival to Benefit the Tahoe Fund

July 25, 2022 by Caroline Waldman

Sponsored by Tahoe Heartbeat & Tahoe Blue Vodka, this Eco-Friendly Live Music Event is coming to South Lake Tahoe on Aug 20

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 14, 2022) –The inaugural Tahoe Heartbeat Festival, an exciting eco-friendly live music event benefiting the Tahoe Fund is taking place on Saturday, August 20, 2022, in South Lake Tahoe. Sponsored by Tahoe Heartbeat and Tahoe Blue Vodka, the family-friendly one-day outdoor musical event offers a diverse and dynamic line-up of entertaining live performances by talented bands and musicians that include Thievery Corporation (electronic duo), Trevor Hall (roots, folk & reggae), Ozomatli (Latin, hip hop & rock), Arden Park Roots (surf, rock & reggae), and more to be announced. Taking place on the Community Playfields at Lake Tahoe Community College and starting at 2 p.m., the live music event will also include a vendor village along with food & beverage trucks.

In collaboration with Tahoe Blue Vodka and the Tahoe Fund, the live music festival is presented by Good Vibez and PRentertainment. Tahoe Blue Vodka is the official cocktail sponsor and donating 100 percent of its proceeds from the event to the Tahoe Fund.

“From day one, Tahoe Blue Vodka has been committed to supporting environmental organizations such as the Tahoe Fund that are focused on lake clarity, outdoor recreation, bike trails, conservation and stewardship in Lake Tahoe,” said Matt Levitt, Founder of Tahoe Blue Vodka. “The Tahoe Heartbeat Festival offers a fresh new way we can connect with Northern Californians, raise awareness about the importance of protecting the magnificent Lake Tahoe area, and further our efforts to give back to the community we so proudly serve.”

Along with parent company Tahoe Spirits, Inc., Tahoe Blue Vodka has donated more than $200K of its proceeds to organizations that work to protect Lake Tahoe and its surrounding environment.

Tickets for the inaugural Tahoe Heartbeat Festival are on sale now. For more information about the inaugural live music event and/or to purchase tickets, please visit www.tahoeheartbeatfestival.com. For more information about Tahoe Heartbeat, please visit www.tahoeheartbeat.com, and for more about Tahoe Blue Vodka, please visit www.tahoebluevodka.com.

About Tahoe Fund

The Tahoe Fund is a nonprofit founded in 2010 to support environmental improvement projects that restore lake clarity, enhance sustainable recreation, promote healthier forests, improve transportation, and inspire greater stewardship of the region. Through the generous support of its donors, the Tahoe Fund has leveraged more than $10 million in private funds to secure more than $60 million in public funds for more than 60 environmental projects. The projects include new sections of the Lake Tahoe Bikeway, restoration of watersheds, removal of aquatic invasive species, forest health projects, new hiking trails, and stewardship programs. Learn more at www.tahoefund.org.

About Tahoe Blue Vodka

Tahoe Blue Vodka was founded in 2012 by local entrepreneur Matt Levitt. The award-winning taste combines pristine Tahoe sourced water with a blend of grapes, corn and sugarcane for clean, gluten-free, crisp taste and smooth finish. Tahoe Blue Vodka has won over 25 prestigious awards at the highest regarded spirits tasting competitions. Through its parent company, Tahoe Spirits, Inc., Tahoe Blue Vodka has donated over $200K of its proceeds to organizations that work to protect Lake Tahoe and its surrounding environment. Tahoe Blue Vodka is available in stores throughout Reno/Tahoe/Northern Nevada, Sacramento, San Francisco and will soon be available in Southern California. For more information about Tahoe Blue Vodka, please visit www.tahoebluevodka.com.

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LOCAL TRAILS GET A BOOST FROM THE TAHOE FUND’S TRAILS ENDOWMENT

July 20, 2022 by Caroline Waldman

Nonprofit grants $45,000 to local organizations for trail maintenance

With higher trail usage in the Tahoe Region, many of the existing trails are being loved to death. The Tahoe Fund is hoping to help solve this issue through its Tahoe Trails Endowment. The nonprofit recently awarded $45,000 in grants from the endowment to the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) and the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) to support trailwork on popular trails in the Tahoe Basin.

“The Tahoe Trails Endowment was created because our board and our donors recognize the importance of taking care of the trails we already have,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “These grants are great examples of the power of the endowment to generate annual funding support for much needed trailwork across the region.”

The TRTA’s Trail Segment Improvement Program was launched this summer to provide preventative maintenance on the 200-mile Tahoe Rim Trail. Every year, the program will include work to repair trail tread, clear downed trees and drainages, fix erosion damage, and decommission braided trails on three segments. This summer, nearly 70 miles of trail along the busiest TRT segments in the Tahoe region will be improved: Big Meadow to Echo Lakes (18.3 miles), Barker Pass to Tahoe City (16.4 miles), and Echo Lakes to Barker Pass (32.5 miles). The work will be completed by volunteer and conservation corp crews.

“This iconic trail gains in popularity every year, and as more people use it, it requires more continuous care,” said Morgan Steele, Executive Director, TRTA. “We are grateful for the Tahoe Fund’s Tahoe Trails Endowment to help us stay on top of the maintenance needs of the Tahoe Rim Trail.”

TAMBA, the first recipient of a Tahoe Trails Endowment grant in 2021, will continue its trail crew maintenance program this year with support from the Tahoe Fund. A five person paid trail crew will work on a variety of trails around the lake throughout the summer and fall seasons, managing unforeseen needs like removing downed trees, clearing rock fall and addressing erosion issues as they arise around the Basin. TAMBA is on track to perform maintenance on over 100 miles of trail in 2022.

“The funding the Tahoe Fund provided last year for maintenance needs was instrumental to us quickly repairing trails after the Caldor Fire that people use often,” said Patrick Parsel, Trails Director, TAMBA. “Unforeseen challenges like downed trees and erosion issues created by storms can often pose the greatest threats to user safety and the environment, so they’re important to resolve quickly. This funding will allow us to do that.”

Established as a way to address the long-term needs of Tahoe’s growing trail network, the Tahoe Fund hopes to grow the Tahoe Trails Endowment to $3 million to fund annual trail maintenance throughout the region. Currently, the endowment is at just over $1 million.

While building the endowment, the Tahoe Fund also continues its work with partners at the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association, Truckee Trails Foundation and public land managers to develop a Trails Master Plan that outlines priority ranking for trail work and allows everyone to think and plan long-term.

The endowment was launched in late 2020 with a generous $100,000 donation from Chris and Viktoria McNamara. You can contribute to the Tahoe Trails Endowment by clicking the button below.

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THE TAHOE FUND AND TAMBA LAUNCH $50,000 MATCHING CAMPAIGN FOR NEW MEEKS RIDGE TRAIL

June 29, 2022 by Caroline Waldman

New trail will create brand-new 10+ mile mountain biking and hiking loop on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore

The Tahoe Fund and the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) today announced a $50,000 matching campaign to build the Meeks Ridge Trail. This new 4.5 mile multi-use trail will provide a brand-new 10+ mile loop option for hikers and mountain bikers on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore.

“Right now, people on the West Shore have to drive to trailheads to get in a longer hike or bike ride,” said Verdi DiSesa, vice chair of the Tahoe Fund Board. “This new trail will create access to a world-class loop with unbelievable views, all without requiring anyone to get in their cars. And now donations will be doubled to help make it happen.”

The new trail, which will begin just north of Meeks Bay Resort, starts near lake level and then climbs to the top of Meeks Ridge where it will connect with the Lost Lake Trail. From there, users will be able to pick up the General Creek Trail as part of the 10-12 mile loop. The loop will end by the Highway 89 bike path that connects directly to Sugar Pine Point and Meeks Bay Campground.

While volunteers are working diligently to clear and build the lower half of the trail, a paid crew will be key to completing the final 2-3 miles of the trail at higher elevations. The upper section is more rugged and requires a professional team to tackle the difficult terrain. The funds raised through the Tahoe Fund’s $50,000 matching campaign will help cover the cost of the paid crew, allowing them to be camped in the higher elevations for eight days at a time to work on the trail more efficiently.

“Our team is excited to bring this dynamic new option to the West Shore,” said Patrick Parsel, trails director at TAMBA. “The funds raised through the Tahoe Fund matching campaign will make it possible for us to get this work done and create an incredible new trail outside of Desolation Wilderness for hikers and bikers to enjoy.”

With panoramic views of Meeks Bay, Meeks Meadow and Desolation Wilderness, naming rights at four vista points along the trail are available for a $10,000 donation each. The vista points, identified on the map below, will feature a bench and custom plaque with the name of the donor.

To contribute to the matching campaign or secure a vista point, please visit www.tahoefund.org/projects/active-projects/meeks-ridge-trail/ or email info@tahoefund.org.

CHECK TAHOE PUBLIC BEACHES WEBSITE BEFORE YOU GO TO THE BEACH THIS SUMMER

June 23, 2022 by Caroline Waldman

As the summer season gets underway, the Tahoe Fund and agencies that manage Lake Tahoe’s public beaches have updated TahoePublicBeaches.org to help improve the recreation experience for residents and visitors. Designed as a resource guide to over 40 beaches that surround the iconic shores of Lake Tahoe, the site offers information about frequented hotspots and lesser known locations. Users will find helpful information about how to get to each beach, where to park, hours of operation, and what amenities and services are offered, if any.

“With the low lake level, the beaches that surround Lake Tahoe will be larger than usual, and are likely to be very busy,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “As people seek out places to access the lake and recreate on the beach or in the water on kayaks or paddle boards, TahoePublicBeaches.org is a tremendous resource to help people decide where they want to spend their day.”

TahoePublicBeaches.org offers information on each beach, including what facilities are available, which beaches are dog friendly, where to BBQ, rent paddleboards or boats, and where to find shade. It also has information about the Lake Tahoe Water Trail and how people can do their part to help take care of Lake Tahoe. By encouraging beachgoers to get around without a car, visit the beach at non-peak times, and protect the environment from litter and pet waste, the website highlights destination stewardship practices emphasized throughout the region.

A collaborative effort, the site was developed by the Tahoe Fund and co-funded by the California Tahoe Conservancy through the Lake Tahoe License Plate Program. Eight public agencies assisted with the project to create one central place for beachgoers to find public beach information. The partners include: California Tahoe Conservancy, California State Parks, City of South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City Public Utility District, North Tahoe Public Utility District, Nevada Division of State Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, and Tahoe Transportation District.

Low Lake levels this summer mean the beaches will be larger, but many boat ramps around Tahoe will be closed. Currently, the only public boat ramps that are open are at the Lake Forest boat ramp in Tahoe City, Calif. and the Cave Rock boat ramp in Cave Rock, Nev. Non-motorized users are still able to launch paddle boards and kayaks at the closed boat ramps.

Beach goers are encouraged to bookmark the mobile-friendly website and use it to plan their next trip to one of Tahoe’s public beaches. Learn more at TahoePublicBeaches.org.

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About the Tahoe Fund

The Tahoe Fund is a nonprofit founded in 2010 to support environmental improvement projects that restore lake clarity, enhance sustainable recreation, promote healthier forests, improve transportation and inspire greater stewardship of the region. Through the generous support of its donors, the Tahoe Fund has leveraged more than $10 million in private funds to secure more than $60 million in public funds for more than 80 environmental projects. The projects include new sections of the Lake Tahoe Bikeway, restoration of watersheds, removal of aquatic invasive species, forest health projects, new hiking trails, and stewardship programs. Learn more at www.tahoefund.org.

About the Lake Tahoe License Plate

Lake Tahoe License Plates benefit conservation and recreation projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Learn more at tahoeplates.org.

The Tahoe Fund and Friends of Ski Run Extend Matching Campaign to $100,000 for Ski Run Community Park

June 21, 2022 by Caroline Waldman

The Tahoe Fund and Friends of Ski Run today announced the extension of their matching campaign for Ski Run Community Park. After meeting the initial $75,000 goal, the two organizations are now working toward a $100,000 match to build a custom bouldering wall in the park.

“We were blown away by the overwhelming support from our donors and community members who gave generously to help bring a new park to the Ski Run neighborhood,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “This inspired us to keep doubling donations until we reach our new goal of $100,000 to add a custom boulder wall to the park.”

Ski Run Community Park will be built on an empty 0.57-acre lot that has become an unofficial playfield for the neighborhood. Four families, Wynn and Lauren Ruji, Lincoln and Galena Else, Chris and Viktoria McNamara, and Corey and Marina Rich purchased the lot—which was once home to the Slalom Inn and has sat vacant for over 20 years—with the dream of creating a community park.

The new park will feature an iconic play structure, a plaza and mural wall, and a large community table. With the funds raised through the matching campaign extension, the park will also include a custom bouldering wall for climbers of all levels. The wall will be created by Entre-Prises, a company that designs and installs climbing and bouldering walls throughout North America.

“The Ski Run neighborhood has come together to make this dream a reality,” said Devin Middlebrook, mayor of South Lake Tahoe. “This matching campaign extension will make this park even more fun for the thousands of kids who live here.”

Support for the new park has been provided by Vail Resorts, Friends of Ski Run, Sierra Sustainable Builders, Ben Fish, Novus Select, GearLab, City of South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Fund, M. “Elie” Alyeshmerni & Ski Run Marina, Lisa Maloff, T-Mobile, Heavenly Mountain Resort, Pay It Forward Project, Mountain Luxury Properties, Edgewood Tahoe Resort, El Dorado Community Foundation, Caesars Foundation, American Century Championship, Barton Health, Safeway, Ski Run Center, Sierra Con, and over 50 Tahoe Fund donors.

Local partners including SOS Outreach, Barton Health, Heavenly Mountain Resort, and the League to Save Lake Tahoe are also supporting the park by creating historical and environmental education signage, offering bilingual education workshops on exercise, health, and nutrition, and organizing neighborhood clean ups.

To donate today, visit https://www.tahoefund.org/projects/active-projects/ski-run-community-park/.