The NV Energy Foundation is making a major investment in the health of Tahoe’s forests with a $250,000 grant to the Tahoe Fund’s Smartest Forest Fund. This significant contribution will help increase the pace and scale of forest restoration efforts and better prepare Lake Tahoe communities for wildfire. 

“In Lake Tahoe, catastrophic wildfire is not just a threat, it’s our reality,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “Thanks to the NV Energy Foundation, we will be able to invest in more game-changing solutions and innovations to reduce excess fuels in our forests and better prepare them to withstand fire.” 

The Smartest Forest Fund was launched in 2019 to use philanthropy to drive innovation through seed funding and de-risk opportunities for the Tahoe Fund’s public agency partners. Already, more than $1 million has been committed to over 25 projects and helped to secure over $27 million in public funding.

Innovative projects that have received funding through the Smartest Forest Fund include BurnBot’s remote operated machinery that speeds up fuels reduction by 10x; a software platform called LandTender that uses high-definition imagining and artificial intelligence to map landscapes for forest health treatments; and scholarships for students in Lake Tahoe Community College’s Forestry Program.

“This project will support the important work being done in and around Lake Tahoe to ensure the health of this incredible natural resource and protect the surrounding communities,” said NV Energy President and CEO Doug Cannon. “The Tahoe Fund drives outcomes in innovative, creative ways through collaboration and bringing the right partners to the table. I can’t think of a more deserving organization or better partner to collaborate with on this project.”

The NV Energy Foundation is committed to connecting with the community through philanthropic efforts, including civic leadership, financial contributions and volunteerism. Doing so makes our communities better places to live and work, which makes them better places to do business. We measure our success through the eyes of our employees, stakeholders, customers, business partners and neighbors. Learn more about the NV Energy Foundation’s grant cycle and funding priorities at nvenergy.com/foundation. 

Learn more about the Tahoe Fund, the Smartest Forest Fund and the initiatives it has helped support at www.tahoefund.org.

Photos by Hannah Pence, HPM Photography

Are you curious to learn more about the status of Lake Tahoe’s famed clarity? In partnership with TEDxReno, we have gathered a panel of experts for an in depth discussion on Lake Tahoe’s famed clarity. 

Is the Lake headed in the right direction? We’ll explore the big questions to get crystal clear on what’s ahead and how we can have an impact.

This event will take place from 6pm – 8pm on Tuesday, August 20 in Duffield Hall at the Lake Tahoe School in Incline Village. You can join us in person at the Lake Tahoe School or via livestream. Register using one of the buttons below.

New murals celebrate Tahoe’s natural landscapes to inspire greater stewardship

Visitors to four popular recreation sites managed by the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will be greeted with a surprise when they step into the restroom facilities. Instead of blank walls inside the vault toilets, people will find beautiful murals painted by local artists through a project led by the LTBMU and the Tahoe Fund. 

“We are so lucky to have such talented artists in our local community and great partners at the Forest Service to be able to do something like this,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “Our hope is that when people see these stunningly beautiful murals they’ll be inspired to do their part to leave Tahoe better than they found it.”

Earlier this year, the LTBMU and the Tahoe Fund put out a public call for artists in the California and Nevada area to “beautify” the blank interiors of these restrooms. Five local artists were selected based on the creativity of their submissions and tasked with painting murals that establish a ‘sense of place’ in four different National Forest restroom facilities in the Lake Tahoe Basin. 

Stateline Lookout, Crystal Bay, NV

Created by North Lake Tahoe resident and full-time artist Ian Scott, the artwork in each of the two Stateline Lookout restrooms was created to depict a “room with a view.” The scenery within each restroom reflects the scenery that can be seen outside, however they differ in design by time of day and season they represent.

Logan Shoals Vista Point, East Shore, NV

South Lake Tahoe resident and classically trained artist Talia Koval’s design “Nature Sings,” was selected for the Logan Shoals Vista Point restroom as it illustrates the breathtaking landscape of Lake Tahoe as seen from the East Shore. At the forefront of the mural are vibrant pine trees, with the focal point of the mural its majestic sunset, with warm hues casting a radiant glow over the mountains in the distance. Koval painted the mural alongside her partner Michael Passaretti. 

Big Meadow Trailhead, South Lake Tahoe, CA

Two artists were selected to paint two restroom stalls at the Big Meadow Trailhead. Cyan Samone’s mural takes viewers inside the habitats of local Tahoe wildlife that appear larger than life. The concept of being surrounded by their environments is intended to give viewers a deeper sense of connection with nature and invoke a desire to protect it. 

Alyssa Cumpton’s mural was designed to inspire and educate visitors about some of the native animals in the Tahoe region, including Steller’s Jays, American Black Bears and the endangered Sierra Nevada Red Fox.

Sawmill Pond, Meyers, CA

Charlotte Castillo, a fine artist and art teacher at Tahoe Valley Elementary School was selected to paint murals in the two restrooms at Sawmill Pond. Her designs depict humanity’s relationship with nature, showcasing the experience and visual wonder of the region.

“Based on the response we received from interested local artists and the incredible quality of their work, we hope to continue this project in the future by expanding it to other sites,” said Daniel Cressy, public services staff officer, LTBMU. “In the meantime, we’re excited to see how people respond to the new murals and hope that transforming these spaces will motivate our visitors and residents alike to become better stewards of the environment.”

Paint for the murals was generously supplied by Kelly Brothers Painting. Visit www.tahoefund.org to learn more about this project or to contribute to projects that support the Tahoe environment.

Nonprofit seeks to close $200,000 funding gap for restoration efforts in Upper Truckee

The Tahoe Fund is launching a fundraising campaign to support one of the most important restoration projects in Lake Tahoe’s history. The nonprofit is seeking donations to fill a $200,000 funding gap in the California Tahoe Conservancy’s efforts to demolish the Motel 6 building, restaurant and parking lot that sit within the Upper Truckee River watershed in South Lake Tahoe. 

“Right now, we have a unique opportunity to close this funding gap and transform these sensitive lands back to a healthy functioning wetland,” said Cory Ritchie, Tahoe Fund board member. “This project and the restoration of the entire Upper Truckee River has long been one of our highest priorities to improve the Lake’s clarity. We hope the generosity of our donors and the entire Lake Tahoe community will help make it happen.” 

The Motel 6 property and surrounding 31 acres were acquired in March 2024 by the California Tahoe Conservancy with funding from the Conservancy, the California Wildlife Conservation Board, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Tahoe Fund and the League to Save Lake Tahoe. Following the demolition and removal of the motel infrastructure, planning work will commence on the restoration of the lands.

“Protecting this property has been a top priority for decades, because of its importance for wildlife habitat and connectivity, and for how it will help with restoring the Upper Truckee River and floodplain.” said Jason Vasques, Executive Director of the California Tahoe Conservancy. “We could not have completed the acquisition without our partners like the Tahoe Fund, and we’re grateful for their continued support as we move towards removing the development, which sets the stage for future restoration.”

In addition to restoring the watershed and the native habitat, this project 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.
Learn more and contribute to the project today at tahoefund.org/motel6.

Photo by California Tahoe Conservancy

This summer, the Tahoe Fund is teaming up with AllTrails to offer a new opportunity to give back to Tahoe trails. Anyone who contributes $25 or more to the Tahoe Trails Endowment by July 4, 2024 will receive a free 3-month AllTrails+ membership, gaining access to premium AllTrails features and offline maps for trails in the Tahoe region and beyond.

“Tahoe is home to more than 300 miles of trails, and sometimes these trails need some extra love to ensure they remain safe for users and the environment,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “Through this amazing partnership with AllTrails, now you can support annual trail crews through a donation to the Tahoe Trails Endowment and enjoy finding new or lesser-known trails to explore through AllTrails+.” 

Each year, the Tahoe Fund supports trailwork throughout the region through the Tahoe Trails Endowment. Funds from the endowment help trail crews from the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association as they remove downed trees, clear rock fall, repair trail tread and fix erosion damage on popular trails. 

“The AllTrails Public Lands Program is honored to partner with the Tahoe Fund. This collaboration supports our mission to provide sustainable outdoor experiences and help everyone find their way outside,” said Pitt Grewe, Head of Public Lands at AllTrails.

AllTrails is the world’s most popular and trusted outdoor platform connecting people to the outdoors, helping them discover new places, and elevating their experiences on the trail. The AllTrails Public Lands Program is a free resource for land managers and their non-profit partners. The program allows partners to share time-sensitive updates with more than 65 million AllTrails members to support safe and sustainable access to the outdoors for all. Learn more at: publiclands.alltrails.com

The Tahoe Fund hopes to grow the Tahoe Trails Endowment to $3 million to fund annual trail maintenance throughout the region for years to come. Currently, the endowment is at just over $1 million. The endowment was launched in late 2020 with a generous $100,000 donation from Chris and Viktoria McNamara. 

Donate to the Tahoe Trails Endowment before July 4 at www.tahoefund.org/tahoetrails.