Senator Dianne Feinstein will host the 18^th annual Lake Tahoe Summit on August 19^th at the historic Valhalla Estate in South Lake Tahoe.  The theme of this year’s summit is “Drought, Wildfire, and Invasive Species: Confronting the Effects of Climate Change on Lake Tahoe.”

The summit is open to the public and will feature remarks from Senator Feinstein, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval. California Governor Jerry Brown will offer a keynote address. Guests are encouraged to register online at www.tahoefund.org/2014summit.

“The Tahoe Fund is thrilled to once again be the organizing sponsor of this important event,” said Art Chapman, vice chairman of the Tahoe Fund board of directors. “The future health of our lake is dependent on the support of our public officials and the private community that is brought together annually at the Lake Tahoe Summit.”

Feinstein is author of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act, a bill to restore Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Basin. The legislation authorizes projects to improve Lake Tahoe’s water clarity, reduce risks for catastrophic wildfires, combat invasive species and protect threatened species and wildlands.

The Tahoe Fund’s annual Founders Circle Summer Dinner, held the night before the summit, is sold out.

Founded in 2010, the Tahoe Fund is a nonprofit dedicated to raising public and private money for  projects that will improve lake clarity, enhance recreation and inspire environmental stewardship in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Tahoe Fund welcomes donations of any size to help sustain the organization and the extraordinary natural environment of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Information is available at info@tahoefund.org, or by calling 775.298.0035.

Organization now focused on new bike path from Incline to Sand Harbor

LAKE TAHOE Calif. and Nev. (Monday, August 11, 2014) – The Tahoe Fund presented checks totaling $131,000 to the recipients of its 2013 Signature Projects in front of a large crowd of supporters on Tuesday. Tahoe Fund donors provided funding that will allow completion of four environmental improvement projects that address erosion control, beach improvements, bike paths and the removal of invasive Asian clams.

The 2013 Signature Projects will help restore lake clarity and improve outdoor recreation in the Basin.  The project recipients were California State Parks for a bridge across the newly restored Angora Creek; Nevada State Parks for beach improvements including new ADA access at Sand Harbor; Tahoe City Public Utility District for a mile section of bike path along the west shore; and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency for the removal of Asian clams at the mouth of Emerald Bay.

“The Tahoe Fund’s singular focus is to inspire the private community to support important environmental improvement projects in the Tahoe Basin,” said Tim Cashman, Tahoe Fund board chair. “It is always heartwarming to celebrate our donors’ generosity, especially when we know it will mean great improvements for Tahoe and for the people who love it here.”

The Tahoe Fund presented the checks at an event supporting the Incline to Sand Harbor Bike Path. The organization is seeking to raise $750,000 in private contributions to trigger more than $12.5M in public funding for this 3-mile section of bikeway along the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe.  Since June, the Tahoe Fund has raised more than $600,000 for the new path. All donations of $100 or more will be featured on a donor wall at the trailhead.  Engraved Bear and Trout shaped pavers are also available along the path for donations of $2,500 and $5,000.

Founded in 2010, the nonprofit Tahoe Fund is dedicated to raising money for  projects that will improve lake clarity, enhance recreation and inspire environmental stewardship in the Lake Tahoe Basin.  The organization has funded the Blackwood Creek/Eagle Rock Trail watershed restoration on the west shore; the Incline/3^rd Creek watershed restoration on the north shore; segments of the Lake Tahoe Bikeway in 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; a Tahoe Beaches App; and the UC Davis “State of the Lake” report.

The Tahoe Fund welcomes donations of any size to help sustain the organization and the extraordinary natural environment of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Information is available at info@tahoefund.org, or by calling 775.298.0035.

SPECIAL EVENTS AT HEAVENLY, NORTHSTAR AND SQUAW VALLEY FOR TAHOE LICENSE PLATE OWNERS APRIL 5 & 6

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. and Nev. – March 31st, 2014 – The Tahoe Fund is partnering with Heavenly, Northstar and Squaw Valley to say thank you to the thousands of people who support Lake Tahoe through the purchase and renewal of Tahoe license plates. The weekend of April 5 & 6, visitors to the three resorts who arrive with their Tahoe license plates will be provided with special benefits on the mountains, including valet parking and breakfast.

“We want to say ‘thank you’ to all of the people who make the extra effort to help Tahoe with the purchase and renewal of their Tahoe plates,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “Once again the resorts have stepped up to support the program and help us show our appreciation.”

The first 100 plate holders to visit Heavenly will receive free preferred parking in the California Lodge parking lot as well as a $3 breakfast burrito special and half off an après ski beer in the California Lodge.

Northstar will provide family friendly fun, including complimentary parking to the first 100
visitors, as well as complimentary breakfast in The Village at Northstar; and complimentary roller skating in The Village. Tahoe license plate holders will also savor complimentary beer at the Lodge at Big Springs—a perfect way to enjoy the fun of the Spring It On pond skim festivities, live music, and more.

Visitors to Squaw Valley who have purchased Tahoe license plates will receive free valet parking and Clif Bars. Squaw will also donate $20 to the Tahoe Fund for every season pass purchased that weekend by current Tahoe plate owners. On Saturday, plate owners are invited to an Après Party on KT Base Bar deck with live music from the West Water Outlaws.

“Our company recognizes the significance of the Tahoe Fund’s mission as something important to our guests, our staff and our community – and we are thrilled to recognize Tahoe plate owners for their generosity this coming weekend,” said Andy Wirth, president and CEO of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. “As a board member of the Tahoe Fund, I have seen firsthand the important work that this organization is doing to preserve Lake Tahoe and improve the lake’s clarity, and we are honored to lend our support.”

“This is a great way for Heavenly Mountain Resort and Northstar California to show appreciation to guests who support the health of Lake Tahoe and the outstanding work of the Tahoe Fund,” said Bill Rock, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Northstar California Resort. “We’re honored to partner with the Tahoe Fund and thrilled at the opportunity to offer special thanks to our guests who participate in the Tahoe License Plate program.”

Over 96% of the funds raised through the sale of Tahoe license plates support hiking and biking trails and watershed restoration projects such as the Lower Blackwood Creek Restoration, Sawmill Bike Trail and Rabe Meadow Bike Path. The Tahoe Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to raising money and support for environmental improvement projects promotes the sale of Tahoe license plates on behalf of the beneficiaries of the plate fees, the California Tahoe Conservancy and the Nevada Division of State Lands. For more information on the program, please visit www.tahoeplates.com.

Dealership to Promote Tahoe License Plates as a “True Blue” Dealer

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – February 20, 2014 – Right make. Right model. Right trim. Right license plate? At Putnam dealerships across the Bay Area, a Lake Tahoe license plate is the stylish new option for all sales and a simple way to make Tahoe better. Thanks to a new partnership between Putnam and the Tahoe Fund, Putnam will be promoting the sale of Tahoe License Plates with each new sale. Funds from the purchase and renewal fees go to a variety of important environmental improvement projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

As California’s first True Blue Dealer, owner Marty Putnam is driving these green efforts to better connect with the desires of his environmentally friendly customers. The Putnam Family has a long history of donating to environmental and educational charities. Being a True Blue Dealership was an easy decision for the Putnams.

“Some of my earliest and best memories are building snow forts with my two older brothers and skiing with dad in Tahoe,” said Putnam. “We enjoyed it then and we love it even more now. And we know a lot of our customers feel the same way.”

Over 96% of the funds raised through the plate sales go directly to the California Tahoe Conservancy to support hiking and biking trails and watershed restoration projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Tahoe Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the Tahoe environment, is organizing the program on behalf of the public agency. New plate holders who purchase Tahoe plates before April 1, 2014 are eligible to receive two free lift tickets from one of 11 participating resorts.

Putnam’s father, Joe, founded Putnam Automotive in 1965. His first dealership, Putnam Buick, had 25 employees; today they have 12 dealerships and employ over 400 people. They soon will be celebrating 50 years in business, making them one of the oldest dealership groups in California. Joe Putnam is now retired, and the dealerships are run by his two sons, Marty and Kent. They are the largest privately held dealership group in Northern California and are multiple winners of the prestigious Elite of Lexus Award and the Toyota Presidents Award for high levels of customer satisfaction.

For more information on the Lake Tahoe license plate, visit www.tahoeplates.com. To find a Putnam Automotive dealer near you, visit www.putnamauto.com.