LAKE TAHOE, Calif. and Nev. – November, 10, 2014 – The Tahoe Fund has issued a Request for Proposals to solicit environmental improvement projects in the Tahoe Basin that will restore lake clarity, improve outdoor recreation, and inspire environmental stewardship in the region. Projects that meet the qualifications of the RFP will be the focus of the organization’s fundraising efforts in 2015. Traditionally, the organization features 3-4 Signature Projects each year that are in need of a final source of funding in the range of $15,000 – $50,000.

“The private community has shown us that they are eager to support great projects,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the nonprofit Tahoe Fund, which raises money for environmental projects at Lake Tahoe. “We hope to find projects that will give our donors the chance to make a meaningful difference at Tahoe.”

The 2014 Tahoe Fund Signature Projects include Aquatic Invasive Weed Removal at the Tahoe City Dam, Aquatic Invasive Weed Removal at Ski Run Marina Channel, and an Environmental Education fund for a number of youth environmental programs. This is an addition to the 2014 Premier Project, a new bike path from Incline Village to Sand Harbor. All projects remain open for donations through the end of the calendar year.

“The Tahoe Fund Projects Committee is focused on projects that have everything in place but the last bit of funding,” said Jim Lawrence, Special Advisor to the Nevada Department of Natural Resources and Co-Chair of the Tahoe Fund Projects Committee. “Our main priorities are restoring the Lake’s clarity, getting people out of their cars with new recreational amenities and teaching people how to take better care of this incredible resource.”

Eligible projects must be able to demonstrate that all environmental permits will be obtained, enjoy strong community support, and have other sources of funding identified. Further details can be found in the Request for Proposals (RFP), available here.

Projects should be consistent with the program level priorities established as part of the 2008-2018 EIP Update. All projects must obtain an EIP number from the TRPA. With the notable exception of education/interpretation projects, the Fund will generally not include funding requests for planning, design, or other preconstruction activities, or for maintenance and monitoring of projects in its portfolios.

Founded in 2010, the nonprofit has inspired private donors to support the Blackwood Creek/Eagle Rock Trail watershed restoration on the west shore; the Incline/3rd Creek watershed restoration on the north shore; segments of the Lake Tahoe Bikeway in Incline Village, Tahoe City, the west shore and South Lake Tahoe; environmental and recreational improvements at Sand Harbor State Park, Van-Sickle Bi-State Park and Washoe Meadows State Park; Asian Clam removal at Emerald Bay; aquatic invasive weed removal in Tahoe City and at Ski Run Marina; the Tahoe Beaches App; and the UC Davis “State of the Lake” report.

“Plates for Powder” program returns for 2014/15 season

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. –  If you love Tahoe and you love to ski or ride, now is the time to take advantage of the “Plates for Powder” program. From now until April 1, individuals who purchase a new Lake Tahoe license plate in either California or Nevada can receive two free lift tickets to one of 13 Tahoe resorts participating in the program.

“Who doesn’t love to ski for free?” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “The resorts in Tahoe have once again stepped up to support the Tahoe environment by providing free lift tickets for those who support the Lake with the purchase of Tahoe license plates.”

Plate sales and renewal fees generate proceeds that go directly to the California Tahoe Conservancy and Nevada Division of State Lands to fund hiking and biking trails and watershed restoration projects. The Tahoe Fund, a bi-state non-profit dedicated to raising money for environmental improvement projects that support lake clarity, recreation and stewardship in the Tahoe Basin, is organizing the program on behalf of the public agencies.

“Tahoe plates support the work we do to restore lake clarity and improve recreation around Lake Tahoe,” said Patrick Wright, Executive Director of the California Tahoe Conservancy. “We are so thankful to the resorts for their partnership in making this very popular program happen again this year.”

For those who have already shown their support by purchasing Tahoe plates, the ski resorts will be showing their appreciation to you at a series of on-mountain events the weekend of April 4 and 5. Squaw/Alpine, Heavenly, and Northstar will offer special parking, and food & beverage discounts to anyone who arrives in a car with a current Tahoe Plate. In addition, current Tahoe plate owners can win free lift tickets throughout the winter season through the “Plate Spotting” promotion. A team of Plate Spotters will photograph Tahoe plates “spotted” around Lake Tahoe and the Bay Area. These plates are then eligible for the bimonthly drawing of two lift tickets. The public is invited to spot plates and upload their own photos to the Tahoe Fund Facebook page as well.

The resorts participating in the promotion include Alpine Meadows, Diamond Peak, Heavenly Valley, Homewood, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose, Northstar California, Royal Gorge Cross Country, Sierra at Tahoe, Squaw Valley, Sugar Bowl, Tahoe Cross Country and Tahoe Donner.

Information on how to purchase a plate and redeem free tickets is available at www.tahoeplates.com. The promotion is available from now until April 1. Some restrictions apply.

PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, Squaw Valley Lodge and Squaw Valley Ski Holdings raise funds to preserve and restore Lake Tahoe and the region’s watersheds through Green Bucks dollar donation program and direct contributions

Olympic Valley businesses have raised $75,000 since 2012 to preserve and restore Lake Tahoe and the region’s watersheds through the Green Bucks program and direct contributions.

Green Bucks is a dollar donation program designed to harness the passion of visitors and residents in order to help care for the region’s extraordinary environment. In Olympic Valley, Squaw Valley Ski Holdings, Squaw Valley Lodge and PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn have committed to collecting dollar donations on room nights and season passes to raise funds for Green Bucks.

“Green Bucks is a simple way for those who love it here to help give back,” said Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry. “We are very thankful for the support of the business community in Olympic Valley and across the region who have all joined in our efforts for this incredible environment.”

“More than just support, as it relates to the Tahoe Fund and the Truckee River Watershed Council, our company maintains shared values along with the same sense of responsible environmental stewardship with these organizations,” said Andy Wirth, president and CEO of Squaw Valley Ski Holdings and Tahoe Fund Board Member. “On behalf of the team here at Squaw Valley Ski Holdings, our customers and the community of Olympic Valley, we’re proud to provide this fiscal support so that their projects and work can continue.”

Starting winter 2014-15, Squaw Valley Ski Holdings will also be adding their Food and Beverage program to the list of Green Bucks contributors. To date, Squaw Valley Ski Holdings has raised $66,500 through direct contributions as well as Green Bucks donations raised through Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows season pass purchases and reservations at The Village at Squaw Valley.

“From its very inception, we helped architect and develop the Green Bucks program originally for lodging and our season pass sales channels,” continued Wirth. “We’re now glad to expand its presence by deploying Green Bucks at all of our restaurants throughout the entire Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows experience.”

“Our extraordinary environment is connected, from mountain peaks to iconic Lake Tahoe to the Truckee River watershed,” said Kathy Whitlow, Green Bucks Program Manager for the Truckee River Watershed Council. “We’re excited that area businesses, visitors and residents recognize Green Bucks as a way to support environmental initiatives in the entire region with one, simple program.”

For more information on how to become a Green Bucks business please visit our Green Bucks page.