Guest, Author at Tahoe Fund

Christmas Tree Permits Will Be Available Nov 25

November 20, 2019 by Guest

Our favorite Tahoe holiday tradition is back, and it’s about more than cutting trees. Starting November 25^th, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will be granting tree-cutting permits to the general public. This program allows for a great family experience, while taking the smaller trees that cause excess vegetation and increase fire danger.

Here are a few specifics to know before applying for a permit this year.

Where to purchase a permit?
Christmas tree permits will be sold at two locations this year:

Forest Supervisor’s Office, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.
- Open: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
North Lake Tahoe Visitor Center, 100 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA 96145.
- Open: Seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., excluding Christmas Day.

How much do permits cost?

Each permit will cost $10, payable by cash, check, or credit card.

How many permits are given out?

This year the USDA will be limiting permits to one per family.

Permit Specifics

Available: starting Monday November 25 and can be purchased up until December 31 to allow time for military families that have to celebrate the holidays late.
Tree Types: Pine, Cedar, or Fir
Tree Size: The tree must be no larger than 6 inches in diameter at the base and no more than 10 feet from another tree (tape measure is provided with the permit).
Where to cut: Maps will be provided when given the permit.
How to cut: Must remove tree from the base, leaving no more than 6 inches of stump.
Before you leave: Tag the tree before exiting the area.

Every Kid Outdoors Program

Through the “Every Kid Outdoors Program,” fourth-grade students can obtain a free Christmas tree permit by bringing a valid Every Kid Outdoors pass.
The permits for Every Kid Outdoors Program are only available at the South Lake Tahoe location.
For more information about this program, visit https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm.

Important

It is important to understand that travel is weather dependent in Tahoe.
Before heading out to your tree-cutting destination, notify people where you are going and always check the weather report; never cut trees in conditions that are wet and windy.

For more information, please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/ChristmasTreePermits

Tahoe Fund Meets Campaign Goal for Lily Lake Trail Thanks to Triple Funding Match by Vail Resorts’ Epic Promise

November 19, 2019 by Guest

Contributions from Vail Resorts’ EpicPromise guest donation program helped meet funding gap required to complete new multi-use trail accessing Fallen Leaf Lake and Desolation Wilderness

TAHOE CITY, Calif. (Nov. 19, 2019) – Thanks to a triple match from Vail Resorts’ EpicPromise guest donation program at Northstar, Heavenly and Kirkwood, completion of the Lily Lake Trail will be a reality in 2020. Earlier this year, the planned 2.1-mile multi-use trail designed to provide new access to Fallen Leaf Lake and Desolation Wilderness faced a $75,000 funding gap. The nonprofit Tahoe Fund mobilized its supporters, and within a few short months, secured funding commitments from VailResorts EpicPromise, the Mathman family and other contributors to ensure the trail can be completed next summer by the US Forest Service and Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association.

“Our goal has always been to help environmental and sustainable recreation projects like this one achieve completion in the Tahoe Basin,” said Katy Simon Holland, Tahoe Fund board chair. “This effort truly demonstrated the incredible power of philanthropy – among our partners in both the public and private sectors – and the support our community has for projects that enhance sustainable recreation and access to our public lands.”

“Those who visit our resorts are passionate about the outdoors,” said Tom Fortune, vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “It’s important to Vail Resorts that we provide opportunities for our guests to give back and support projects like this in the mountain communities where we operate. Lending support to aid in the completion of the Lily Lake Trail, a new trail I myself look forward to using, aligned perfectly with the intent of our guest donation program.”

Once complete, the Lily Lake Trail, designed to connect to the newly built trail system on Angora Ridge, will feature stunning views of Desolation Wilderness, Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe, 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 trail will be comprised of 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, and the requirement of funding that has now been achieved to pay for professional engineering and building crews, completion isn’t expected until late 2020.

“Without the active support of the Tahoe Fund and Vail Resorts’ EpicPromise triple match, construction of the Lily Lake Trail simply wouldn’t be possible,” said Scott Brown, Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association board member and crew leader. “It’s incredibly inspiring to know that when we put out the call for help, this community is willing to step up and make it happen.

Learn more about this on our Lily Lake project page.

THE BEST WAY TO SKI FOR FREE AT TAHOE AREA RESORTS: BUY A TAHOE LICENSE PLATE

October 31, 2019 by Guest

‘Plates for Powder’ License Plate Purchase Proceeds Fund Projects That Improve the Environment in the Lake Tahoe Basin

TAHOE CITY, Calif. (Nov 1, 2019) – With ski season primed to kickoff at Lake Tahoe area resorts in the coming weeks, now is the time to get a free lift ticket to use this winter. Those who purchase a new Lake Tahoe license plate in either California or Nevada before April 1, 2020 through the “Plates for Powder” program receive a free lift ticket to one of 11 participating Tahoe downhill and Nordic resorts to be used during the 2019-20 winter season, while supplies last.

“We are grateful to our resort partners for their continued support of the ‘Plates for Powder’ program,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “For eight years, this program has provided California and Nevada drivers with a unique way to show their love for Tahoe. All proceeds from the purchase of Lake Tahoe license plates help ensure more important environmental improvement projects are completed.”

Plate sales and renewal fees come back to Lake Tahoe resulting in more hiking and biking trails, and watershed restoration projects, with funds distributed by the California Tahoe Conservancy and Nevada Division of State Lands. The nonprofit Tahoe Fund has organized the program on behalf of the public agencies since 2011.

“Revenue from Lake Tahoe license plates plays a critical role in protecting and restoring the Lake Tahoe Basin,” said Jane Freeman, Deputy Director for the California Tahoe Conservancy. “License plate sales help advance important watershed and forest restoration efforts, while connecting people to the places they love at Tahoe.”

New Tahoe license plate fees benefitting the Tahoe basin are $50 in California and $62 in Nevada. The annual renewal fee is $40 in California and $30 in Nevada. Personalized plates are also available for additional fees.

Resorts participating in the promotion include Diamond Peak, Heavenly, Homewood Mountain Resort, Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Northstar California, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Tahoe Cross Country, Tahoe City Winter Sports Park and Tahoe Donner. Resorts participating in the promotion include Diamond Peak

Information on how to purchase a plate and redeem the complimentary lift ticket or trail pass is available at http://www.tahoeplates.org. Some restrictions apply.

About the California Tahoe Conservancy
Established in 1985, the mission of the California Tahoe Conservancy is to lead California’s efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin. For more information, visit http://tahoe.ca.gov.

About the Nevada Division of State Lands
The Nevada Division of State Lands provides land and land use planning services to the state, its agencies and its people. The agency holds title to state lands and interests in land and issues leases, easements, permits and other authorizations for the use of state land. The land office also keeps records of all lands that have ever been owned by the state, and provides land records information upon request.