Building on the success of the popular engraved bears along the Tahoe East Shore Trail, the Tahoe Fund today announced a partnership with Placer County to install personalized bears along the railings in Tahoe City’s Heritage Plaza to raise funds for trails in the Placer County region of North Lake Tahoe. 

“From birthdays to anniversaries to memorials, any message takes on an added meaning when it’s mounted in front of Lake Tahoe,” said Karolina Hedman, chief operations officer for the Tahoe Fund. “With the holidays around the corner, we are excited to introduce this new donation opportunity to leave your family’s legacy in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.”

The bear plaques are available in two sizes. For $5,000, the Mama Bear plaque measures 13” tall x 20” wide and has space for a 40-45 character message. For $2,500, the Baby Bear plaque measures 8” tall x 12” wide and has space for a 20-25 character message. 

“Partnerships with organizations like the Tahoe Fund are imperative to get vital trail, recreation and environmental projects completed for the benefit of Placer residents and Tahoe visitors,” said Placer County District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson. “These plaques are a wonderful way to showcase the broad donor support that makes it all possible, and they’ll be able to revisit them often and enjoy the scenic vista views of Heritage Plaza.”

The Tahoe Fund also offers engraved trout plaques and bear pavers along the East Shore Trail, a three-mile paved path from Incline Village to Sand Harbor. To learn more, visit https://www.tahoefund.org/projects/active-projects/tahoe-east-shore-trail/.

For more information and to purchase a Tahoe City bear plaque, visit https://www.tahoefund.org/projects/active-projects/tahoe-city-bear-plaques/.

In partnership with Achieve Tahoe, the Tahoe Fund aims to make outdoor recreation in Tahoe accessible for all

Ahead of the holiday giving season, the Tahoe Fund is launching a $25,000 matching campaign to support Achieve Tahoe’s summer recreation programs for people with disabilities and their families. Thanks to a generous match provided by Putnam Lexus, courtesy of Marty and Anne Putnam, the Tahoe Fund is doubling all donations to this program given before December 31, 2023 to reach their $50,000 goal. 

“We want to ensure that the Tahoe region can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their ability,” said Tahoe Fund donors Marty and Anne Putnam. “Through this matching campaign, we are hoping to give more individuals and families access to the amazing outdoor recreation opportunities offered by Achieve Tahoe.” 

Achieve Tahoe has long been a pioneer in adaptive winter sports in the Tahoe region. 

In recent years, with support from the Tahoe Fund, Achieve Tahoe has shifted to offering year-round outdoor recreation programming such as archery, hiking, sailing, and paddle sports. Last summer, nearly 400 participants enjoyed archery lessons at the SnoVentures in Palisades Tahoe, hiking at Dollar Creek and Rideout School trails, as well as paddle sports and sailing on Lake Tahoe’s west shore.

“Our day on the lake was incredible, and sparked a desire to see what other sports I can try out that I haven’t participated in since my injury,” said Kelzey Z., an Achieve Tahoe participant. “We did archery and rock climbing with Achieve Tahoe, and we’re already planning a trip to Oregon to do accessible white water rafting next summer!”

Prior funding from the Tahoe Fund has helped Achieve Tahoe offer scholarships for participants who could not afford program enrollment costs, invest in supplies and equipment, and provide training for staff and volunteers. 

“We are grateful for the support and partnership the Tahoe Fund provides to increase inclusion in the Tahoe region,” said Haakon Lang-Ree, executive director of Achieve Tahoe. “Caring for this area requires a holistic approach that incorporates everyone — of every ability — who comes to recreate and steward this beautiful place.”

To donate today, visit www.tahoefund.org/achieve.

Nonprofit seeks projects that will improve the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy

The Tahoe Fund today announced the opening of its annual call for projects. The nonprofit is seeking projects for its 2024 portfolio that will increase the pace and scale of forest restoration, improve lake clarity, expand sustainable recreation, provide innovative solutions to transportation challenges, and create more stewards of Lake Tahoe. 

Public agencies, nonprofits and environmentally focused businesses are invited to submit proposals for projects that require $5,000 to $1,000,000 in funding. Projects with the ability to leverage additional public funding as a result of Tahoe Fund support will be prioritized.

“Every year we are blown away by the incredible projects brought to us by our partners around the Basin,” said Caitlin Meyer, chief program officer for the Tahoe Fund. “In our last fiscal year, we granted over $1.4 million to 52 different projects, like the 72-mile scuba cleanup of Lake Tahoe’s shoreline, aquatic invasive species removal in Emerald Bay, and the new Ski Run Community Park in South Lake Tahoe, which will serve over one thousand young people. We can’t wait to see what’s in store this next round of submissions.” 

Since its inception, the Tahoe Fund has worked with more than 30 partners to support over 130 projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Some highlights include the building of the Tunnel Creek Singletrack Trail on Tahoe’s East Shore, scholarships for the Lake Tahoe Community College Forestry program, basinwide programs that provide free bikes and bike safety gear to residents in need through the Lake Tahoe Bike Coalition, adaptive summer activities for people with disabilities and their families through Achieve Tahoe, and scuba cleanups of litter hotspots by Clean Up The Lake.

All submissions will be reviewed by the Tahoe Fund Board of Directors, which is tasked with developing the Tahoe Fund’s project portfolio. Projects submitted for consideration may receive immediate funding or be selected for a Tahoe Fund project campaign in 2024. 

“From the health of our forests to the clarity of our Lake, the Tahoe Basin faces many challenges,” said Cory Ritchie, Tahoe Fund Board Chair. “Through our annual call for projects process, we are looking for ideas both big and small that will improve the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy.” 

Project submissions are due by January 31, 2024. Guidelines and the request for project submission form can be found here.