New data estimates that we currently have a whopping 75 million trees in the Tahoe Basin, compared to only 2 million in the 1800s. The vast majority of these trees are competing with each other for resources, and hundreds of thousands have died in recent years. This is bad for forest health, but it also spells trouble when it comes to wildfire: Weak, dead and dying trees are extremely potent fuel for wildfire. In an overly-dense forest like Tahoe’s, they enable fire to travel fast, far and with great intensity.

At the Tahoe Fund’s annual Forest Health Briefing, sponsored by J.P. Morgan, experts highlighted what can be done to restore Tahoe’s forests to health and protect habitat, life and economy. On December 3, 2022, over 70 supporters and partners gathered at the West Shore Café to hear from presenters and panelists who are implementing innovative solutions to make our forests healthier and our community more resilient to wildfire. 

“We’re seeing a different type of fire now, largely due to overly-dense and unhealthy forests,” said Brian Estes, unit chief, Nevada-Yuba-Placer, California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). “After the Caldor Fire found an avenue into the Lake Tahoe Basin, we saw a great need for proactive planning with our partners throughout the Basin to prioritize the protection of life and property in the face of devastating fires.”

One solution is Land Tender, a new software tool funded in part by the Tahoe Fund that uses high-resolution imagery and artificial intelligence to map and generate powerful analytics about our forests. This allows land managers and their community partners to plan targeted forest health projects with unprecedented specificity. Scott Conway, chief resilience officer of Vibrant Planet, the company that created this technology, demonstrated how Land Tender makes it easier for stakeholders to collaborate, while also significantly reducing the planning time for projects – in some cases, from years to months. 

“We are no longer doing random acts of restoration,” explained Conway. “We can take the dollars raised by private donors and public funding and put them in the right places to have the most significant impact for our forests and our community.”

Another critical aspect of forest restoration is having a place to take fuel – like downed, dead or excess trees – once it has been removed from the forest. Historically, there have been few options within the Tahoe region, which means contractors have had to truck the material – often 100 miles or more – to the nearest offtake site. Because there are so few to begin with, these sites are often full; or the cost of long-distance hauling can exceed the value of the timber itself. Luckily, things are changing with the opening of a new sawmill in Carson City. The mill, which sits on 40 acres of land owned by the Washoe Tribe, will be the first sawmill of its size to be built in the area in nearly a century. The Tahoe Fund has been working with the project leaders, Tahoe Forest Products LLC and the Washoe Development Corporation, an affiliate of Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California, to help bring this much needed resource to life. 

During the Forest Health Briefing, Kevin Leary, chairman of Tahoe Forest Products, shared that the mill will have a major impact on restoring forest health and preventing wildfire by creating a local market for both green and burned logs. The facility will process approximately 50 million board feet of lumber per year. It has already received 15 million board feet of hazard trees from Sierra at Tahoe that were burned in the 2021 Caldor Fire.

Leary also emphasized that many different groups have a role to play in forest health, from policymakers to private funders. “Forest health requires a holistic approach that spans industries,” said Leary.

Having a skilled forestry workforce is another key piece of solving forest health challenges, said Erick Walker, Forest Supervisor, U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. “We’re up against a labor shortage,” said Walker. “We know what needs to be done to get our forests to function and look like they once did, but we need skilled people to do this work.” 

The Tahoe Fund recently awarded scholarships to every student in Lake Tahoe Community College’s new forestry program to enable more young people to choose a career in this critically understaffed field. The new program is teaching students how to conduct forest management work, from planning to implementation.Graduates will be qualified for jobs with CAL FIRE, the US Forest Service, the California Tahoe Conservancy, the Tahoe Resource Conservation District, and other agencies that are part of the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team.

Collaboration among these agencies is key to scaling these efforts, which is the goal of the Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, according to its director, Patrick Wright. Wright also discussed the need for sustained government funding: “Trying to treat a million acres of forest annually requires $1-2 billion a year,” said Wright. “While there’s a budget surplus now, we need this level of funding every year to move away from small scale projects and go big.” 

There’s also a critical role for individual donors and the private sector to play. Often, there’s a need to close funding gaps in order to leverage public dollars. For example, the Tahoe Fund’s $50,000 investment of private funding in Land Tender helped secure $500,000 in state funding.  We’ve seen that when we support innovative ideas – like Land Tender and the new sawmill – game-changing solutions come to life. 

“If we can successfully bring the private sector and nonprofits into partnership with land management agencies to implement these projects, we can move at a pace and scale that will actually make a difference,” said Ryan Shane, Deputy Administrator, Nevada Division of Forestry. “You can make magic happen if you are willing to invest in these innovative solutions.”

Learn more about the Tahoe Fund’s forest health initiatives and get involved today: www.tahoefund.org/smartestforest. 

A special thank you to our Forest Briefing sponsor, J.P. Morgan, for making this event possible. 

Week of in-person and virtual events will focus on dangers of the backcountry and how to stay safe

 From athlete panel sessions about backcountry safety to expert talks about snowpack science and the impacts of wildfires on snow conditions, the third annual Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week is chock full of in-person and virtual events curated by Take Care Tahoe that focus on the dangers of the backcountry. From December 12-17, 2022, just as avalanche danger will be increasing in the area due to the weekend storm, both novice and experienced backcountry users will have opportunities to learn how to safely recreate in the backcountry this winter. 

According to Snowsports Industries America (SIA), the pandemic boosted participation in backcountry/Alpine Touring by 57% during the 2020-21 season. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center also reported that a total of 37 avalanche related fatalities occurred in the U.S. that season. The rise in deaths was attributed to both inexperience and challenging snowpack conditions.

“As more and more people get out into the backcountry to recreate in uncontrolled, unpatrolled areas, it’s increasingly important to give them the tools they need to be safe and have fun,” said David Reichel, executive director of Sierra Avalanche Center. “This week is a great opportunity to share critical information that could save lives this season.”

Started in 2020 to help educate the growing number of people who venture into the Tahoe backcountry about the importance of safety, preparedness, and etiquette, Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week convenes experts and partners in the Tahoe Basin and beyond to offer educational sessions, panel discussions, film screenings, opportunities to test safety equipment and more. 

“The growth of and participation in Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week has been tremendous,” said Anthony Cupaiuolo, executive director of the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance. “We’re excited for the opportunity to bring people together to discuss access issues and help educate backcountry users about proper etiquette at trailheads and on the skin track.”

“We’re proud to be part of Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week and to give people an opportunity to learn more about how to make good decisions both before they go and when they’re in the backcountry,” said Sean Kristl, Alpenglow Expeditions general manager. “Nothing can substitute for knowledge and experience, and our hope is that people will continue to learn and stay updated as it relates to what they can do to keep themselves and others safe.”

The 2022 Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week schedule includes:

Virtual Introduction to the Backcountry for Women – Monday, December 12

Hosted by SheJumps, Weston Backcountry and Women Who Splitboard, this two-hour online session is an intro class for women interested in getting into the backcountry on skis or a splitboard. Registration includes automatic entry to win a Weston Seeker Splitboard, with virtual attendance required to win. Register via Eventbrite with a $5-20 donation.

Winter Predictions with the National Weather Service – Wednesday, December 14

Hosted by the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, join Chris Smallcomb from the National Weather Service for a virtual presentation on their Winter Weather Predictions. This free online webinar is open to everyone and will be live from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Smallcomb will also talk about the predictability of weather hazards including post-fire flooding, and how the changing climate is impacting day-to-day weather forecasting. Register here.

Changing Snowpack, Hazards, and Backcountry Safety – Wednesday, December 14

Hosted in person at the UC Davis Tahoe Science Center in Incline Village, join Andrew Schwartz, lead scientist at the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab for a discussion on snowpack trends occurring in the Sierra Nevada, how they are redefining our fire seasons and natural disasters, and their impacts on the recreation and safety of outdoor enthusiasts. Schwartz will also cover actions that can be taken to ensure safety in the backcountry and measures to curb the loss of snow. Admission is $10 and free for students with a student ID. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., lecture begins at 6:00 p.m. Register here.

Backcountry User Panel and Live Music at RMU – Thursday, December 15

Hosted in person at RMU in Truckee, listen to a panel discussion about sharing access and best etiquette in the backcountry, featuring professional skier Daron Rahlves, backcountry guide Jen Callahan, Anthony Cupaiuolo from Tahoe Backcountry Alliance, Todd Wold with Lake Tahoe Snowmobilers, and a representative from the U.S. Forest Service. The panel will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., followed by live music. No registration required.

Backcountry Safety Summit – Friday, December 16

Hosted by Alpenglow Expeditions, the Backcountry Safety Summit will feature a discussion with guides, patrollers, and avalanche forecasters at Palisades Tahoe at 6:00 p.m. Alpenglow Expeditions will also host social media giveaways throughout the week with a chance to win two free AIARE courses.

Lake Tahoe Snowmobilers December Meet-up – Saturday, December 17

An event open to all backcountry snowsports users (not just snowmobilers), this event will be held at the Hope Valley Sno-Park starting at 9:00 a.m. A great opportunity to test safety equipment, Lake Tahoe Snowmobilers will have a beacon park set-up. No registration is required and warm beverages will be available.

Learn more at www.takecaretahoe.org.

New board members bring extensive leadership experience and passion for Lake Tahoe

The nonprofit Tahoe Fund announced today that five new leaders have joined its board of directors. Invited because of their extensive leadership experience in the corporate and nonprofit sectors, these new members will guide the organization as it works to improve the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy.

The Tahoe Fund’s new board members are:

• Ryan Buntain, managing director and senior relationship manager for The Carlyle Group
• Bill Dietz, president and principal broker at Tahoe Luxury Properties
• Vickie Holtmeier, global senior vice president of Salesforce’s Emerging Business Unit
• Matt Levitt, founder and CEO of Tahoe Blue Vodka
• Beth Treacy, retired CEO and chief strategist of Treacy Marketing Group

“On behalf of the entire board, I’d like to welcome our new board members. Each holds a personal connection to Lake Tahoe that runs as deep as our mission. Their collective  experience and love of this environment will be invaluable as we determine which improvement projects to support in this upcoming year and beyond,” said Cory Ritchie, Tahoe Fund board chair.

In their professional roles, the Tahoe Fund’s new board members have built and led high-performing teams, managed large institutional relationships, and had direct oversight of business operations, marketing and brand strategies. Their skills will contribute to the long term success of the organization as it continues to grow its reach and impact within the Tahoe Basin. 

Ryan Buntain is a part-time Tahoe City resident and managing director and senior relationship manager for The Carlyle Group in North America. Buntain’s professional experience also includes marketing, product management and serving as a legal analyst for Goldman Sachs.

Bill Dietz, a resident of Lake Tahoe since 1988, owns and operates Tahoe Luxury Properties, a full-service luxury real estate and vacation rental business in California and Nevada. He has led the company’s business operations and marketing strategy since its inception in 1994. Dietz has sold over $1 billion in residential real estate and been recognized as the Tahoe Sierra’s top real estate agent. 

Vickie Holtmeier has over 35 years of leadership experience at companies including Siebel, Oracle and Brightedge. In her current role as global SVP of the emerging business unit at Salesforce, Holtmeier is responsible for building and scaling enterprise software teams across multiple industries.  Salesforce and Holtmeier are actively involved with environmental issues and building a sustainable future.

Matt Levitt is the founder and CEO of Tahoe Blue Vodka and a longtime supporter of the Tahoe Fund’s work. Passionate about the Tahoe environment, it was Levitt’s $100,000 matching donation for the first ever scuba clean up of Lake Tahoe that led to the Tahoe Fund’s support of the project. 

Beth Treacy is a native Nevadan and retired CEO and chief strategist for Chicago-based Treacy Marketing Group, a leader in transformational brand strategies for corporations and nonprofits. In addition to serving on a number of boards, she is currently a member of the Board of Visitors for the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Learn more about each new board member here. 

The Tahoe Fund supports environmental improvement projects that restore lake clarity, expand sustainable recreation, promote healthier forests, improve transportation and inspire greater stewardship of the region. Learn more about the Tahoe Fund and its current and completed projects at www.tahoefund.org.

Now Open to the Public! 

The Tahoe Fund joined Nevada State Parks, donors and stakeholders at Spooner Lake State park for an official ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the highly anticipated completion of the new Visitor Center and Amphitheater. New facilities, which include a visitor center, amphitheater, gift shop, restrooms, warming room, interpretive atrium, group picnic pavilions, and park office, are now open for the public to enjoy. 

Spooner Lake State Park offers diverse and highly sought-after recreational opportunities for both local residents and visitors from around the world. Established in 1981, Spooner Lake is one of Nevada’s most prized recreational resources within Nevada’s system of State Parks. The park is a popular four-season destination for hikers, mountain bikers, anglers, equestrian users, snowshoers and cross-country skiers, and a wide variety of nature lovers. 

In 2018, Nevada State Parks teamed up with partners from the Nevada Division of State Lands, the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team, the Washoe Tribe and the Tahoe Fund to reimagine Spooner Lake. With more than 150,000 visitors a year, 60 miles of trails and 13,000 acres of wilderness to explore, the goal was to create a trailhead facility that matched the splendor of Spooner’s beautiful backcountry. The new one-of-a-kind facilities at Spooner Lake provide a magical environmental education venue for people of all ages.

“We are so thankful to the Tahoe Fund donors who generously provided $300,000 in private funding to help secure the public funds necessary to make this dream project happen,” said Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry. “Congratulations to Nevada State Parks and all the partners for breaking ground on these much needed improvements that will support the users and the natural environment.”

The new visitor center and amphitheater serve as the heart of Spooner’s natural and cultural history programs and ranger-led hikes and tours, as well as provide an immersive environmental education and science venue for students. The facilities also serve as a major portal to the expansive and spectacular non-motorized primitive wilderness within the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak expressed his support of the Spooner Lake Park improvement projects: “The completion of the new Spooner Lake and Backcountry Visitor Center and Amphitheater is a historic milestone reflecting Nevada’s celebrated outdoor heritage, and will provide all Nevadans, families and visitors with accessible, affordable, and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities for generations to come. In addition to providing new opportunities for the public to connect with nature and explore the beautiful backcountry around Spooner Lake, these facilities solidify the entire east shore of Lake Tahoe as a world-class recreation destination. As recreation demand continues to rapidly grow, programs that focus on environmental education and stewardship are key to providing a quality recreation experience and strengthening Nevada’s economy, while protecting our precious natural and cultural resources simultaneously. I thank all of the public and private partners for working together to make this project a reality. This public-private collaboration is the perfect example of how we can come together to make remarkable things happen.” 

The Tahoe Fund and Nevada State Parks are also teaming up on the third and final phase of the park improvements which will include a new wildlife viewing platform and kayak launch on Spooner Lake. State Parks will be seeking public input on design options this winter.