Blog - Tahoe Fund

Tahoe Fund Partners With Adventure Risk Challenge to Connect Kids to the Outdoors

March 24, 2021 by Skyler Monaghan

Program’s unique outdoor learning courses foster leadership, literacy, environmental stewardship and connection with nature among high school students

TAHOE CITY, Calif. (March 30, 2021) – Iran Pacheco, an eleventh grade student at North Tahoe High School, will tell you that the Adventure Risk Challenge (ARC) program she participated in last summer changed her life. In her words, “being outside more and staying active has made me more energetic, focused and happy.” The program also helped her build new friendships, gain confidence and get more involved. Reasons like these are why the Tahoe Fund has partnered with ARC to offer support for its programs.

“The goals of the ARC program are well aligned with those of the Tahoe Fund, and on behalf of our donors, we are pleased to contribute to their efforts to inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and environmental stewards,” said Meg Sandman, Tahoe Fund board member. “It is incredibly rewarding to support opportunities for local students to spend time outdoors learning and experiencing things they can’t get in a traditional classroom atmosphere.”

Designed to provide immersive outdoor and academic programs for underserved youth, ARC courses introduce first-generation students, English-language learners and all students who are motivated to experience a challenging outdoor and academic adventure in the Sierra Nevada mountains to outdoor recreation including backpacking, rock climbing and more. Paired with a curriculum focused on reading, writing and public speaking, students develop a broad understanding of what they’re capable of doing.

“Contributions from generous donors like the Tahoe Fund are critical to our ability to provide year-round outdoor and academic programs to young people who might otherwise not have access,” said Will Fassett, Adventure Risk Challenge associate director. “We are grateful that they share our commitment to inspiring environmental stewardship in the next generation.”

Since 2004, ARC has had over 300 summer graduates and 2,500+ year-round participants. A three-site organization that started in Tahoe, the program’s success is highlighted by the fact that 81% of participants go on to attend a two or four-year college. In addition, they experience growth in seven important developmental assets including positive identity, social competencies, and commitment to learning.

The summer 2021 ARC program is accepting applications now until April 23, and will take place in Tahoe from July 5 through August 7. For students who have been spending significant time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ARC summer course will offer a month of outdoor adventures. Visit www.adventureriskchallenge.org/apply to learn more about the program and to submit an application. Visite https://adventureriskchallenge.org/es/programacion/ para obtener más información sobre el programa y enviar una solicitud.

Learn more about the Tahoe Fund and the programs it supports at www.tahoefund.org.

Tahoe Restaurant Collection Surpasses $150,000 in $1 Donations for Tahoe Fund

March 9, 2021 by Skyler Monaghan

Guest driven donations have helped fund hiking and biking trails, environmental stewardship programs and more

TAHOE CITY, Calif. (March 9, 2021) – Famous for their Wet Woodys, the Tahoe Restaurant Collection is also serving up support for the Tahoe Fund through the “$1 for Tahoe” fundraising program (also known as Green Bucks) at all four of its restaurants. Guests of Gar Woods, Riva Grill, Caliente and Bar of America are invited to leave donations to the Tahoe Fund when they close out their tab. Thanks to its patrons, Tahoe Restaurant Collection has surpassed $150,000 in contributions since they opted into the program in 2015.

“As a local company, we recognize the impact we can help make in support of the efforts of the Tahoe Fund,” said Tom Turner, Tahoe Restaurant Collection president. “The $1 for Tahoe program has been successful for us because it has offered an easy way for our patrons to get involved and give back to Lake Tahoe. We encourage our guests to leave as much as they like instead of the pre-determined $1, and it works well! Our guests generally leave $5, $10 and $20 and that is very rewarding for everyone.”

Through the program, started to harness the passion of visitors and residents to help care for Tahoe’s extraordinary environment, participating local businesses collect dollars from their guests through their purchases of lift tickets, hotel accommodations, and other items. Donations collected are then contributed to the Tahoe Fund’s efforts to support hiking and biking trails, watershed restoration projects, and environmental stewardship programs.

“Since its inception, the $1 for Tahoe program has proven to be a win-win for businesses and their guests. The program creates a simple way for those who love this area to help make it even better,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “Over the years, $1 for Tahoe contributions have helped make trail projects, watershed restoration, and stewardship programs and so much more possible. We’re grateful for all of our partners, including the Tahoe Restaurant Collection, who recognize the value of these efforts and are committed to helping us move these projects forward.”

Learn more about the $1 for Tahoe program and the Tahoe Fund at https://www.tahoefund.org/.

Lake Tahoe Fun Facts: Gray Wolf

March 3, 2021 by Skyler Monaghan

A Collared Gray Wolf, named OR-93, has traveled farther south into California than any other documented collared wolf. OR-93 departed his pack southeast of Mt. Hood and made his long trek down into California and eventually ended up in Mono County.

In 2017, a 2-year-old female gray wolf made her way down to the Tahoe area, making it the first time a gray wolf was seen around the area. Thanks to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, these wolves are being monitored using GPS collars.

Photo Credit: Austin Smith of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs

Tahoe Fund Releases Biomass Resource Study for Loyalton Area

March 2, 2021 by Skyler Monaghan

Report outlines opportunities to establish co-located biomass facility and small diameter timber sawmill to aid in Tahoe Basin fuels management and restoration efforts

TAHOE CITY, Calif. (Mar. 2, 2021) – Catastrophic wildfires continue to explode in frequency and intensity throughout California and Nevada. Committed to helping increase the pace and scale of forest restoration in the Tahoe Basin, the Tahoe Fund has released a new resource study it commissioned from TSS Consultants in partnership with Sierra Valley Enterprises. Titled the “Biomass Fuel and Log Supply Availability and Cost Assessment for a Biomass Power Facility and Sawmill Collocated at Loyalton, California,” the report outlines the available forest biomass and log supply within 75 miles of Loyalton, California, including the Tahoe Basin. Currently, the Loyalton site hosts a non-operating 18MW biomass power facility. The report shows a more than adequate supply of resources for a collocated facility that can play an important role in the restoration of Tahoe’s forest.

“Our board has made forest health a top priority, which is why we commissioned this resource study. We believe that identifying opportunities to aid in fuels management and restoration efforts is critical in helping to resolve the problem,” said Jim Boyd, Tahoe Fund board member. “A major issue facing land managers is finding uses for the excessive dead and dying trees and forest overgrowth. Far too many burn piles exist today, representing a continuing threat to our forests. Some of this can be alleviated by identifying use for these materials that is both environmentally and economically beneficial.”

Catastrophic wildfires continue to explode in frequency and intensity throughout California and Nevada. This trend, and the magnitude of these disasters unfortunately do not show signs of slowing. The Sierra Nevada forest is home to more than 100 million dead trees, and in the Tahoe Basin, tree mortality has exploded to over 160,000 trees over the past few years. To help address this issue, including the hundreds of thousands of burn piles sitting in the Basin, the Tahoe Fund is evaluating and investing in projects that can aid in improving forest health.

The Resource Study project was supported through the Tahoe Fund’s “Smartest Forest Fund,” which uses philanthropy to help drive innovation and provide seed funding to support new ideas and pilot projects designed to significantly increase the pace and scale of forest restoration. These projects support the great work already underway by the U.S. Forest Service, California Tahoe Conservancy and Nevada’s Division of Forestry.

“We are thankful to the Tahoe Fund for commissioning this study that shows the viability and benefits of collocating a biomass and sawmill facility at our property in Loyalton,” said Sierra Valley Enterprises owner, Jeff Holland.

The report compiled by TSS Consultants is available here. Learn more about the Tahoe Fund and the programs it supports at www.tahoefund.org.

Lake Tahoe Fun Facts: Snowpack

February 25, 2021 by Skyler Monaghan

Tahoe’s snowpack is currently 74% of average. Even with the big snow that fell in late January, a lack of consistency in storms and weather this year has led to a lower than average snowpack. Historically, the Basin has received the most snow from January to March, meaning there is still time to add to our current snowpack. Make sure to do your snow dances, we could be in for another miracle March.