Bently Nevada, a Baker Hughes business, supports the nonprofit’s environmental initiatives with a $10,000 contribution and employee volunteers

INCLINE VILLAGE and MINDEN, Nev. (July 21, 2021) – The Tahoe Fund announced today that Bently Nevada, a Baker Hughes business and Nevada-based company with a range of wind and hydro technologies, has become its newest corporate community partner. Bently Nevada has made a $10,000 contribution to the nonprofit in support of Tahoe Fund’s environmental projects and will share Tahoe Fund-sponsored volunteer opportunities with employees interested in contributing their own time to environmental stewardship projects.

“We are honored to have Bently Nevada join us as a corporate partner knowing its commitment to sustainability and a goal of achieving net-zero emissions across its operations,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “Tahoe Fund’s work is amplified when global companies take an interest in their local communities and immediate environment. With a record high in tourism over the past year, we continue to be committed to finding ways to preserve Lake Tahoe for generations to come. Partnerships like what we’ve established with Bently Nevada allow us to do that.” 

Launched in 2010, the Tahoe Fund has been a leader and convener in the completion of key environmental projects, such as the acquisition of Johnson Meadow and the Tahoe East Shore Trail, which aims to reduce automobile traffic on Tahoe’s East Shore and offer expanded access to recreational experiences. The Tahoe Fund is focused on projects that will restore the forest, improve Tahoe’s famed lake clarity, support more sustainable outdoor recreation, solve transportation issues, and create more stewards of the Tahoe environment.

“The Tahoe Fund has made a tremendous impact throughout the Tahoe Basin over the past decade, and we are confident that together we will accomplish even more,” said Ed J. Boufarah, vice president of Bently Nevada at Baker Hughes. “We are proud to support its work and to give our employees opportunities to volunteer to help with projects that are making a difference and enhancing the sustainability of the Lake Tahoe region for everyone to enjoy.”   

Baker Hughes and its businesses, like Bently Nevada, are committed to achieving net zero emissions from their operation by 2050 and to supporting sustainable communities where its employees live and work through direct corporate contributions and Baker Hughes Foundation grants for environmental, educational, and health and safety programs globally. During 2020, the company and its foundation reported financial and in-kind contributions of $119 million, and Baker Hughes employees volunteered 7,100 hours, despite pandemic restrictions on gatherings.  

New multi-use trail provides access to Fallen Leaf Lake and Desolation Wilderness for non-motorized users

Tahoe’s newest trail, sure to become one of the region’s most iconic, is now open thanks to nearly 4,000 volunteer trail building hours and generous contributions from Tahoe Fund donors including the Mathman family and a triple match from Vail Resorts’ EpicPromise guest donation program at Northstar, Heavenly and Kirkwood. The new 2.1-mile multi-use Lily Lake Trail has been completed by the US Forest Service (USFS) and the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) and offers new access to Fallen Leaf Lake and Desolation Wilderness for non-motorized users including hikers and experienced  mountain bikers. The trail partners gathered for an official opening on June 30th. 

“The opening of the Lily Lake Trail has been a long time coming, and we are so grateful to all of our partners — including the Tahoe Fund, USFS and TRPA staff — as well as the crew leaders and volunteers who helped make it happen. It truly wouldn’t have been possible otherwise,” said Patrick Parsel, TAMBA Trails Director. “As we work toward our goal of building trail connections around the lake, the partnerships involved in this project demonstrate what can be accomplished when we work together.”

Designed to connect to the newly built trail system on Angora Ridge, the Lily Lake Trail offers stunning, unmatched views of Desolation Wilderness, Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe. The trail was created to reduce traffic on narrow roads and offer new access to hikers and mountain bikers who want a car-free way to enjoy Fallen Leaf Lake, Glen Alpine Springs and Desolation Wilderness. The Lily Lake trail has an elevation change of 800 feet and features mosaic-like rock work, including aspects unique to the Tahoe trail repertoire — slickrock, boulder traverses, and an expansive view of Fallen Leaf Lake on the edge of a 75-foot cliff.

Construction started in 2018, however due to the challenges of building through dense vegetation and unforgiving talus, professional engineering and building crews were required to complete the work. The USFS cut the top quarter mile of trail through a scree field, and TAMBA crews and volunteers, led by crew leader Scott Brown, were responsible for the intricate, technical rock work that was required. Crews removed approximately nine tons of rock from the trail, and moved roughly three tons of rock to make tread. The trail features some of the only slick rock riding in Tahoe to create a technical, physical ride with some of the best views around the lake.

“On behalf of the Tahoe Fund, we are thrilled to have been part of this project by bringing together partners who bridged the $75,000 funding gap required to build this gorgeous trail,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “The Lily Lake Trail is part of the larger vision the USFS and TAMBA have long held to create non-motorized regional connectivity, and it’s exciting that it’s now open for people to enjoy.”

“At Vail Resorts, we’re proud to partner with organizations like Tahoe Fund through the Vail Resorts EpicPromise community investment program,” said Deirdra Walsh, vice president and general manager of Northstar California Resort. “Their focus on sustainable recreation allows the region’s unparalleled trail systems to expand, and we can enjoy new adventures on the Lily Lake Trail for the days to come.”