Dear Friends,

We are writing today with monumental news! With support from the Tahoe Fund and the League to Save Lake Tahoe, the California Tahoe Conservancy is purchasing the Motel 6 property and surrounding 31 acres that sit within the Upper Truckee River watershed next to Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe.

Long before environmental regulations were created to avoid such travesties, the motel was built in the middle of Tahoe’s largest marsh ecosystem, grossly impacting the native habitat and clarity of the Lake. It has long been a goal of both of our organizations and many agencies in the Basin to see this development removed from these sensitive lands and the wetlands restored to their function as a natural pollution filter for the Lake.

The property is being purchased with funding from the Conservancy, the California Wildlife Conservation Board, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and our two organizations. 

The first step will be to secure the property and prepare for removal of the motel. Over the next few years, planning work will commence on the restoration of the lands. 

As California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot noted, “This environmental acquisition may be the most important in a generation to protect Lake Tahoe. By reconnecting the most important wetland that filters water flowing into the Lake, this investment protects the Lake’s precious water quality and also provides an important corridor for local wildlife.”

In addition to restoring the watershed and the native habitat, the acquisition further advances the 2012 Lake Tahoe Regional Plan and Environmental Improvement Program by removing aging development from sensitive land and retiring or transferring development rights to town centers.

The land protected by this acquisition is part of the homeland of the waší∙šiw (Washoe people—the people from here). The waší∙šiw are the aboriginal stewards of the land in and around the Lake Tahoe Basin. As a sovereign nation the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, as it is known today, continues to advocate for the protection and preservation of waší∙šiw ɁítdeɁ (the Washoe people’s homelands).

As this acquisition came together, the Tahoe Fund and the League to Save Lake Tahoe worked in tandem to support the Conservancy’s offer. We are delighted that we could help the Conservancy acquire the property and set it on a course to revitalization. 

“Protecting and restoring this property is such an important priority for all our Basin partners,” said Jason Vasques, executive director for the Conservancy. “We’re grateful to the Tahoe Fund and League to Save Lake Tahoe for playing an essential role in pursuing this historic acquisition.” 

Aiding this important acquisition continues a long-running trend of support by the Tahoe Fund and League, contributing in distinct and complementary ways to a common goal. 

For decades, the League has taken part in collaborative efforts to restore and improve the Upper Truckee Marsh and river habitat using citizen science, public education, and hands-on volunteer projects. Their team has also consistently advocated to decision makers in Sacramento to ensure this acquisition remains a priority for the State. 

The restoration of the Upper Truckee River has long been a major strategic initiative of the Tahoe Fund. In 2019, they played an instrumental role in the public acquisition of the 206-acre Johnson Meadow property immediately to the south of the Motel 6 in the heart of the Upper Truckee River Watershed, another major milestone in the restoration of the river.  

Together, our two organizations will continue to work alongside the Conservancy and partners to return these sensitive lands back to a healthy functioning wetland, improve the Lake’s water quality and clarity, and balance public access with the needs of our environment. 

In partnership for the Lake,

Cory Ritchie, Tahoe Fund Board Chair
Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO

Steve Spurlock, League to Save Lake Tahoe Board Chair
Dr. Darcie Goodman Collins, League to Save Lake Tahoe CEO

Main image by California Tahoe Conservancy

The Tahoe Fund and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) have partnered to provide an innovative, community-driven restroom mural painting project, and we need your help to make it happen!

We are seeking community-based artists to beautify the interior of highly visited LTBMU restroom facilities with painted murals, helping to diminish vandalism and encourage people to take better care of Tahoe.

Inspired by a similar project by the Bureau of Land Management in Henry’s Lake, Idaho, the murals will transform the interiors of these facilities and bring them alive with depictions of Tahoe’s plants, animals, and beautiful landscape.

Please review this full page for information about eligibility, artist criteria and goals, information about the bathrooms, how to submit a proposal, and more.

Artist(s) Eligibility

• This call is an invite for artist(s) in the California and Nevada area.
• Artist teams are eligible for the project.
• Local artist(s) and community groups are highly sought-after for this project.

This Invite to Artist(s) is an Equal Artistic Opportunity: selection of the winning proposal will be made without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity/paternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state or local law.

Art Criteria & Goals

The art should create a transformative experience for users, establish a “sense of place” within the Tahoe region and inspire action to take care of Tahoe. Creative depictions could include:

• Recreation activities
• Nature landscapes
• Local flora and fauna
• Cultural and historical importance to Lake Tahoe
• Inspirational messages aligned with Take Care Tahoe

Restroom Information

North Lake Tahoe: Stateline Lookout

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 has benches for hikers to rest and enjoy the scenery and interpretive panels that tell the history of the lake.

This bathroom has two single-user, accessible bathrooms. The interior walls each measure 7.1’ long x 9.9’ high.

Both single-user bathrooms would be available for murals.

East Shore: Logan Shoals Vista Point

The Logan Shoals Vista Point on Tahoe’s East Shore is an incredibly popular spot for scenic views of the lake. Located right off Highway 50, Logan Shoals has a short, paved path to a rock outcropping with panoramic vistas.

This bathroom has two single-user, accessible bathrooms with pit toilets. The wall dimensions are 5’11” long x 8′ high.

Both single-user bathrooms would be available for murals.

South Shore: Tallac Historic Site

The Tallac Historic Site is the former site of the 100-year-old Tallac Resort. Now, the site is home to the Baldwin Estate, the Pope Estate, and the Valhalla Estate. There are many walking paths available, as well as tours, exhibits, and a museum.

This bathroom has six single-user, accessible bathrooms. The wall dimensions are 7’ long x 7′ high.

Two of the single-user bathrooms would be available for murals.

Budget

The artist(s) should submit a budget for consideration that includes all artists’ fees such as design, labor, and transportation. Paint and protective topcoat for each mural will be generously supplied by Kelly Brothers Painting, so budget estimate should include costs for any other materials needed. Costs such as insurance, taxes, studio overhead, and miscellaneous items are not eligible for inclusion.

Proposal Submission Information

Proposals must be submitted through this Google Form with attachments and time-stamped no later than 6 PM, Pacific Time, March 29, 2024.

Proposals should include:

1. Project description, including sketch of proposed art and description of materials
2. Artist/Artists’ Statement of interest (500 words or less)
3. Resume or short biography
4. Up to 5 jpeg images of previous pieces (if available): labeled with piece name, date created, location of piece, materials used.
5. Annotated list of previous projects (if available), including: description, dimensions, material, location, budget, client or commissioning organization, and any other relevant project information
6. Budget breakdown which includes the design fee and material costs
7. Recommended maintenance plan for art that addresses any maintenance/reapplication that may be required. Please note the mural must be able to withstand power washing.
8. Rank order of preferred bathrooms, with (1) as top priority and (3) as last priority

Selection Criteria

Art selection will be judged by the Tahoe Fund, LTBMU and select community members on a weighted system that is informed by the following criteria (in no particular order):

• Completeness of proposal: Does it include all eight requested elements? (12 points)
• Art Piece Content: Does the art piece capture the local environment, inspire action to take care of Tahoe, and transform the restroom experience? (10 points)
• Required maintenance: Does the proposal include a maintenance plan (5 points) and viable maintenance steps (3 additional points)

Maximum Points Possible = 30

Project Timeline

The timeline includes dates for the following milestones, as they apply:

1. Call for Artists opens: Wednesday, February 28, 2024
2. Submission deadline: Friday, March 29, 2024
3. Review of artists proposals: Wednesday, April 10, 2024
4. Winning Artist(s) Notified: Within 7 days of selection
5. Artist(s) contracts finalized and signed: May 1, 2024
6. Mural Creation/Installation: May 2024, weather permitting. Please note artists will have 3-5 days to install mural on-site.
7. Unveiling and Celebration: TBD

Resource for Questions

For questions or additional information, please email Noah Shapiro, nshapiro@tahoefund.org.