Tahoe Fund

What runs deeper than Lake Tahoe? Our desire to preserve it.

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Largest Invasive Plant Removal Project in Tahoe Now Complete

November 13, 2024 by Jaclyn Tain

Aquatic invasive plants were successfully removed from 17 acres of the Taylor and Tallac creeks and marshes in South Lake Tahoe. 

Tahoe’s largest invasive species removal project to date began three years ago with the installation of large tarps across Taylor and Tallac creeks and marshes on the south shore of Lake Tahoe. Known as bottom barriers, these tarps are designed to block all sunlight and starve invasive plants. The barriers were a success—the Eurasian watermilfoil infestation was removed. This marks the end of the first phase of a much larger restoration effort toward the recovery of this critical wetland. 

Thanks to the support of the Merrill Family Foundation, our Tahoe Fund donors, and the collaborative effort among the project partners, including the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Marine Taxonomic Services for making this possible.

Filed Under: News

Buy a Lake Tahoe License Plate and Ski or Ride Free at Tahoe Resorts This Winter

November 4, 2024 by Jaclyn Tain

Funds generated by the ‘Plates for Powder’ license plate program in California and Nevada protect and enhance Tahoe’s extraordinary natural resources

Right on the heels of this weekend’s dusting, ‘Plates for Powder,’ the program that offers free skiing and riding opportunities to those who purchase a Lake Tahoe license plate, returns for the 2024-25 winter season. Proceeds from plate sales and renewals support environmental improvement projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin and help protect Tahoe’s clear blue waters, mountain forests, world-class recreation, and public beaches.

“Revenue from Lake Tahoe license plates has long been an important funding source for our work to restore and enhance Tahoe’s natural and recreational resources,” said Jason Vasques, Executive Director of the California Tahoe Conservancy. “We are grateful to the contributing ski areas, and we hope the skiers and snowboarders who participate in ‘Plates for Powder’ have a great time on the mountain.”

Through the Plates for Powder program, California and Nevada drivers who buy a new Lake Tahoe license plate before April 1, 2025 receive a free lift ticket or trail pass valid at one of 11 Tahoe-area resorts, while supplies last. The ticket must be used during the 2024-25 winter season (some restrictions apply). Participating resorts include: Boreal, Diamond Peak, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, Northstar California, Palisades Tahoe, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Tahoe City Winter Sports Park, Tahoe Donner XC, and Tahoe XC. 

The Tahoe Fund has organized the Plates for Powder program on behalf of the California Tahoe Conservancy and Nevada Division of State Lands for more than a decade. Over 96% of the funds generated by plate sales and renewals go directly back to projects aimed at protecting Lake Tahoe for future generations.

“For years, the Plates for Powder program has been an easy, effective way for California and Nevada residents to give back to Tahoe,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “With the ongoing support of our local ski areas, there’s added incentive to buy a Tahoe license plate this winter and enjoy a day of skiing or riding in the mountains.”

New Tahoe license plates cost $50 in California, with a $40 annual renewal fee, and $61 in Nevada with a $30 renewal fee. Personalized plates are also available for an additional fee. Find information on how to purchase a plate and redeem the free lift ticket at tahoeplates.com.

Filed Under: News

New Reroute of Tahoe’s Popular Tyrolian Trail Now Open

October 15, 2024 by Caroline Waldman

The newly rerouted, final segment of the popular Tyrolian Downhill Trail in Incline Village, Nevada is now complete, offering mountain bikers a fun new section of technical singletrack while incorporating important environmental improvements. The new 0.75-mile trail segment was rerouted to move the lower section of the trail away from nearby residential neighborhoods and to reduce impacts on the nearby creek.

Built by the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association in partnership with the US Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and with funding support from the Tahoe Fund, the Tyrolian Reroute includes technical rock work, a 24-foot wood bridge, and a new 0.25-mile connection to the Diamond Peak Resort parking lot where the trail concludes. Previously, the final 0.5-mile of the trail ran parallel to the road.

“The Lower Tyrolian Trail reroute promotes and expands sustainable recreation opportunities in the North Lake Tahoe region by improving trail connections and enhancing the mountain biking experience through designed features,” said Drew Bray, Executive Director for TAMBA. “We’re confident that riders are going to love this trail even more now that creative, technical features are offered from top to bottom!”

To complete the project, TAMBA staff worked alongside the LTBMU engineering team and trail crew to install the 24-foot wood foot bridge. Additionally, TAMBA’s professional trail crew, with help from volunteers, created the new trail with some rock features and the connection to the Diamond Peak parking lot.

“One of our core goals is to be a catalyst for sustainable outdoor recreation that will improve quality of experience and equity of access, while minimizing impacts on natural resources in Tahoe,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “The new improvements on this incredibly popular downhill trail will do just that thanks to the hard work of TAMBA, the Forest Service and of course the many volunteers.”

The project also had the support of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and the Incline Village General Improvement District.

Learn more about the Tahoe Fund’s Tahoe Trails Endowment and support the long-term care of the Tahoe trail network here.

Photos by First Track Productions

Filed Under: News

NV ENERGY FOUNDATION PROVIDES MAJOR BOOST TO TAHOE FUND’S FOREST HEALTH INITIATIVES WITH $250,000 GRANT 

August 28, 2024 by Caroline Waldman

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

Filed Under: News

Join Us: TEDxReno Salon on Tahoe’s Water Clarity

August 12, 2024 by Caroline Waldman

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.

In Person
Livestream

Filed Under: News

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