On Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, the Tahoe Fund and Restoring the Lake Depths Foundation will livestream an ROV’s journey to the bottom of Lake Tahoe, giving everyone the opportunity to watch in real time as it reaches a depth of 1,570 feet.

“Few people have had the opportunity to explore what’s under the surface of Lake Tahoe, the second deepest lake in the U.S.,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “We partnered with Restoring the Lake Depths Foundation and Martis Camp Foundation to fund a custom ROV capable of live streaming a journey to the bottom, giving people the chance to experience Lake Tahoe in a whole new way.”

Via a livestream that will be broadcast on the Tahoe Fund’s website, follow along as “Deep Emerald,” a custom ROV built by Restoring the Lake Depths, ventures to the bottom of Lake Tahoe. While the ROV descends, Tim Crandle, president of SeaView Systems will share more about the cutting-edge technology that made this journey possible and Sudeep Chandra, foundation professor of limnology at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Institute for Global Sustainability will unpack the secrets of why Tahoe’s famed waters are so clear. 

Featuring open-source electronics from Blue Robotics and Mission Robotics software, Deep Emerald was designed for underwater exploration. It is equipped with an 8-thruster system for maneuverability, four LED lights and a 4K Ultra HD camera with low-light sensitivity for high-resolution imaging. In addition to deep water exploration, Deep Emerald has been utilized to remove litter from the lake and help identify aquatic invasive species. 

“Deep Emerald is our flagship ROV, funded by Tahoe Fund and the Martis Camp Foundation and built for advanced underwater exploration,” said Lindsay Kopf, founder and executive director of Restoring the Lake Depths Foundation. “Its 600m fiber optic tether allows for deep-water exploration, making it a rare ROV capable of reaching the depths of Lake Tahoe’s deepest points.”

While Deep Emerald leads the way with its exceptional abilities, Restoring the Lake Depths Foundation’s full fleet of four ROVs, powered by technology from Blue Robotics and Mission Robotics, works in concert to achieve comprehensive lake monitoring and restoration. Each ROV is equipped with advanced cameras, sensors, and deep-water tools, enabling precise data collection, sample retrieval, and debris removal. 

Watch the livestream at www.tahoefund.org/deepdive starting at 9:30 a.m. PT on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025.

The Tahoe Fund welcomes Scott Bensing, a U.S. Navy veteran with over 15 years of experience on Capitol Hill, to our Board of Directors. A high-ranking former Republican senior staff member, Bensing’s service has spanned the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate and included developing federal policy and navigating legislative and regulatory challenges. As a board member, he will support the Tahoe Fund’s mission of improving the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy.

“Scott’s extensive experience in developing public policy and navigating the legislative process, his passion for Tahoe, and his long-standing commitment to community service make him an outstanding addition to the Tahoe Fund Board,” said Tahoe Fund Board Chair Verdi DiSesa. “We are grateful to work alongside him as we continue to seek out and fund environmental projects that will prevent catastrophic wildfire, improve the health of the Lake, and make it easier for people to get around, enjoy and take care of Tahoe.”

Bensing’s Capitol Hill experience began when he was a naval officer working as a congressional liaison officer to the U.S. Navy Secretary. As a civilian, he worked as Chief of Staff for the U.S. Senator John Ensign, and as Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, prior to starting SB Strategic Consulting, Inc. in 2009. He was instrumental in developing the legislation that has brought billions in public funding to Tahoe. 

Heavily involved in community efforts throughout his home state of Nevada, Bensing was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of the Tahoe Transportation District by Governor Joe Lombardo. He is also a past Chairman of the Nevada Military Support Alliance and currently serves on the board of PTSDNOW! and the Military Officers Association of America, Incline Village Chapter.

“The Tahoe Fund has had a tremendous impact as it relates to improving the beauty and experience of Lake Tahoe, and I’m happy to help contribute to its future efforts,” said Bensing. “I look forward to finding opportunities to leverage my professional expertise and passion in conjunction with a prestigious Board to benefit everyone who lives, works and visits this special place.”

Bensing holds a B.S. degree in Political Science from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and a Masters degree in Public Administration from The American University in Washington, D.C.

See our full Board of Directors here.

New trailhead will help minimize neighborhood impacts and give everyone an easier start on the trails

Tahoe XC has long been a popular recreational hub in the Basin, welcoming over 200,000 visitors on its groomed and multi-use trails year-round. As part of the Tahoe Cross Country Lodge Project, the trailhead is being relocated to improve trail access for everyone, and to minimize neighborhood parking and traffic impacts. To support this effort, the Tahoe Fund is launching a matching campaign with the goal of raising $100,000.

”Tahoe XC has been grooming trails for 50 years and is a beloved hub for cross country skiing and mountain biking in our community,” said Bill Dietz, Tahoe Fund board member. “To celebrate this milestone, we are doubling all donations for this project up to $50,000 until we reach our goal.”

The trailhead relocation will create ADA and beginner-friendly trail access not currently available at the existing trailhead due to its topography. It will also provide walkability and transit options for students thanks to its shared parking with North Tahoe High School, and generate year-round community programming opportunities.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the trailhead relocation effort took place on June 20 at the site of the new lodge and was attended by community members, funding partners for the project, donors, board members and regional representatives. Attendees heard from Tahoe XC Executive Director Ben Grasseschi, Board President of the Tahoe City Public Utility District Judy Friedman, and Placer County Supervisor Cindy Gustafson about the history of Tahoe XC and how partnerships have been the key to bringing the Lodge Project to life. 

“The new Tahoe XC lodge is our opportunity to finally give the Tahoe Cross Country community a true home—a comfortable, safe, and welcoming space that this incredible North Tahoe community deserves. It will establish a lasting legacy that serves and connects for generations to come,” said Jim Robbins, TCCSEA board president and founding member of Tahoe XC.

The Lodge Project will create a functional, sustainable home for Tahoe XC’s growing youth programs and serve as a gathering space for everyone. The new location is a more accessible trailhead to both Tahoe XC’s groomed winter trails and Burton Creek State Park public lands. Once constructed, the new lodge will replace the 50-year-old building that exists today with a new building that will use geothermal heat pumps and solar panels to become a net zero energy commercial building. 

Learn more and donate to the match effort here.

Hiking the scenic Stateline Fire Lookout National Forest Trail in Crystal Bay just got more interesting thanks to a generous matching donation to the Tahoe Fund from the Spence and Wylie families. Nine new interpretive panels have been installed to welcome visitors to the trail and offer an opportunity to learn about the area’s rich natural and cultural history.

The Stateline Fire Lookout Trail in Crystal Bay offers beautiful panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. Named for its location — straddling the Nevada-California line — this trail had interpretive panels that were worn down by wind and weather. Now, the brand new panels share insights into the history of the fire lookout, local wildlife, and the importance of preserving Tahoe’s delicate environment. 

“We hope these new panels will turn a popular family trail into an opportunity to learn and inspire people to take care as they are out recreating in this special place,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “We are grateful to the Spence and Wylie families for their generosity, to Fallon Multimedia for the designs, and to the Forest Service for installing these important upgrades.”

In addition to the new interpretive panels, the Tahoe Fund and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) also beautified the vault toilets along the trail as part of a region-wide restroom mural project. The murals at the Stateline Fire Lookout Trail were painted by local artist Ian Blackhall Scott and show scenes of the iconic views from Crystal Bay with the goal of encouraging responsible recreation while celebrating Tahoe’s landscapes and wildlife. 

“As part of the trail’s stewardship, users are encouraged to help keep the Stateline Fire Lookout Trail pristine by packing out all trash and leaving the trail cleaner than they found it,” said LTBMU Recreation Program Manager, Megan Dee. “Visitors are reminded to be respectful of the neighborhood and private property near the beginning of the trail.”