Take Care Tahoe to bring experts together to offer free virtual and in-person educational content for aspiring and experienced backcountry enthusiasts

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week, Take Care Tahoe has convened partners from around the Tahoe Basin and beyond to lead free virtual and in-person educational sessions focused on backcountry safety December 13-18, 2021. With themed events scheduled over the course of six days, participants will learn about everything from why training matters and how to prepare, to how to use safety equipment, backcountry etiquette, and much more. Superstar professional athletes Michelle Parker, Jeremy Jones, Elyse Saugstad, and Claire Hewitt-Demeyer will be featured in the week’s events. 

“More and more people are venturing into the backcountry every year in Tahoe.  Unfortunately some do so without proper education, putting themselves and others at risk,” said Lauren Levi, Take Care Tahoe program manager. “When you head into the backcountry, you’re traveling into unpatrolled, uncontrolled areas. To do this safely, every detail matters. Education is key. That’s why we’ve brought together these partners to participate in Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week. Whether you’re new to the backcountry or someone who has extensive experience, you’re sure to learn something new. Some of this information could save your life.”

Each day’s content is centered around a theme for participants to become a more knowledgeable backcountry traveler, beginning with “Welcome to the New Backcountry” on December 13. Participants will learn about the current state of the backcountry, the associated risks, and how to get started. Throughout the week, other themes will include “Preparing for the Backcountry,” “Be a Friend in the Backcountry,” “Motors in the Backcountry,” a “Backcountry Safety Summit,” and “Give Back and Get Together.” Content will be provided by the Sierra Avalanche Center, Blackbird Mountain Guides, Golden State Guiding, Alpenglow Expeditions, the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance, Lake Tahoe Snowmobilers, public agencies and other nonprofits.

Days five and six feature in-person events where participants can connect with other backcountry users. Alpenglow Expeditions will host a Backcountry Safety Summit at Palisades Tahoe from 6pm – 9pm on Friday, December 17th that will feature a discussion hosted by Dave Nettle with professional skiers and riders Michelle Parker, Jeremy Jones, and Elyse Saugstad, along with members of Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue. Beer and wine will be poured by Sierra Nevada and Revelshine with proceeds benefiting Sierra Avalanche Center. Attendees will also have the opportunity to take advantage of discounts for Alpenglow Expeditions’ backcountry courses.

On Saturday, December 18, the Town of Truckee will host a Trail Trash Cleanup at Glacier Way in Truckee and afterwards a Beacon Hunt will be offered by Tahoe Mountain Sports at the Alder Creek Adventure Center in Tahoe Donner. Lake Tahoe Snowmobilers will also be hosting a Beacon Park at Mount Rose. 

Throughout the week there will be opportunities to win free spots in AIARE Avalanche courses from Alpenglow Expeditions and Golden State Guiding, and free gear from Mountain Hardware. Blackbird Mountain Guides is also hosting a BIPOC Avalanche Scholarship to help make backcountry riding more accessible to underrepresented communities.  

Learn more and register at takecaretahoe.org.

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

As an organization focused on getting impactful projects done in the Lake Tahoe Basin, the Tahoe Fund is once again excited to open up its annual Call for Projects. Tahoe Fund has had a lasting impact on the region, funding more than 60 environmental projects and securing over $50M in public funding in the past decade. The organization is now seeking new projects that align with its strategic plan to add to its portfolio in 2022. 

With the ever increasing threat of wildfire in the West, the Tahoe Fund has identified forest health as its number one priority. Specifically, it looks to support projects that will increase the pace and scale of forest restoration. Other focus areas include improving lake clarity, expanding sustainable recreation, innovative solutions to transportation challenges, and creating more stewards of Lake Tahoe. 

“The Tahoe Fund’s goal is to get more environmental improvement projects completed through the generous philanthropy of our supporters,” said Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry. “We are excited to learn about new projects that align with our mission and find opportunities to work with our partners to get more done for Tahoe.”

The Tahoe Fund annual Call for Projects is an opportunity for innovative thinkers and organizations to secure the funding necessary to make their project to improve the Tahoe Basin a reality. Public agencies and nonprofits are invited to submit proposals for projects that require $5,000 to $1,000,000 in funding. Projects with the ability to leverage additional funding from Tahoe Fund support will be prioritized. 

Previous and current projects vary widely and benefit diverse users and goals in the Basin. They include the building of the new Tunnel Creek singletrack, supporting East Shore field trips for campers with physical disabilities from Camp Wamp, and removing trash from around all 72 miles of Lake Tahoe with a team of SCUBA divers. Their Caldor Trails Restoration Fund will support the rebuilding of beloved South Lake trails that were damaged or destroyed during the Caldor Fire.

The Tahoe Fund is particularly interested in projects that will allow it to achieve its mission to improve the Tahoe environment for all to enjoy.  

Projects submissions are due by January 31, 2022. 

Project guidelines and the request for projects submission form can be found here.

After the Caldor Fire devastated some of Tahoe’s favorite trails, extensive restoration work is required

While firefighters were able to successfully keep the Caldor Fire from claiming homes and businesses in South Lake Tahoe, the fast moving wildfire laid waste to some of the region’s favorite trails. As the U.S. Forest Service, Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) and the Tahoe Rim Trail Association continue to assess the extent of the damage, the nonprofit Tahoe Fund has launched the Caldor Trails Restoration Fund to aid in the extensive trail restoration work that will be required.

“Based on early assessments, there’s no question that there is going to be a lot of trail restoration work in our region’s future,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “We’ve pledged to our trail building partners that through the establishment of the Caldor Trails Restoration Fund, we will be ready to help support this important work as they are able to get crews out to rebuild some of Tahoe’s most beloved trails.”

“The most popular mountain bike trails in the South Lake Tahoe area sustained heavy damage from the Caldor Fire, including burned bridges, signs and trail retaining structures. Between damage from fire itself as well as from dozers constructing suppression lines, more than 15 miles of trail suffered damage in the Tahoe Basin,” said Patrick Parsel, TAMBA trails director. “Additionally, areas that burned hottest will be prone to increased damage from winter storms due to lack of vegetation and hydrophobic soils which can contribute to debris flows and landslides. We will need to rebuild the damaged infrastructure as well as mitigate the potential for increased runoff by installing erosion control measures.”

Trail builders anticipate there will be increased maintenance needs on these trails over the next 10 years as trees come down and stump/root holes collapse. Donations to the Caldor Trails Restoration Fund will be used to repair the diverse trails that provide experiences for hikers, mountain bikers and other recreational users. Trail restoration efforts will leverage innovative, sustainable designs to protect the environment and minimize climate change impacts.

Learn more about the Caldor Trails Restoration Fund here.

A portion of every boat sale will be donated to support outdoor recreation 

Superior Boat Repair and Sales, operating out of the Homewood High & Dry Marina on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe during the summer season and full time in Rancho Cordova, CA has pledged to donate a portion of all boat sales to the local nonprofit organization the Tahoe Fund. 

“Giving back to our community is one of our core values,” said Bob Bense of Superior Boat. “An ongoing partnership with the Tahoe Fund helps us further our mission to support outdoor recreation.”

The Tahoe Fund is currently focused on building support for trail restoration through its Caldor Fire Trails Restoration Fund and the Tahoe Trails Endowment, which focuses on providing funding for annual trail work for trails around Tahoe.

Superior Boat and the Tahoe Fund first partnered this past summer to introduce the 2021 Nautique GS22E, the first all-electric powered towboat, to Tahoe Fund supporters. 

Superior Boat Repair and Sales is also Tahoe’s local Barletta dealership. This partnership with the Tahoe Fund is part of a larger commitment by Barletta Boat’s Bill & Kristin Fenech Foundation to donate 1% of all wholesale shipments to charities that support outdoor recreation, health and human services, and community vibrancy. 

“We are very grateful for this partnership with Superior Boat supporting our ongoing efforts to improve sustainable outdoor recreation in the Tahoe Basin,” said Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry. “Donations from local businesses like this make what we do possible.”