Blog - Tahoe Fund

Tahoe Fund Kick Starts Innovation with Grant to UV Light Pilot Project

August 22, 2016 by diana

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. and TAHOE CITY, Calif. – August 22, 2016 – In an effort to spur innovation in Tahoe, the Tahoe Fund announced that it is providing the initial funds for a project that will evaluate UV light as a new method to remove aquatic invasive weeds. This innovative approach that will be used in a pilot program at Lakeside Marina and Beach could change the way aquatic invasive weeds are controlled in Tahoe’s watershed and beyond if successful.

The $5,000 grant to the Tahoe Resource Conservation District from the Tahoe Fund’s Environmental Venture Trust will help secure more than $350,000 in public and private funds to help get the project started this year.

“We launched the Environmental Venture Trust to get innovative projects just like this off the ground,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “It is amazing to see how a $5,000 grant can really get things going. We are excited for what this new venture can mean for Tahoe.”

“We have been working with the UV light company and public funders for a while to find a way to get this pilot project launched in Tahoe, but we kept running into the roadblock of funding the very early stage work,” said Kim Boyd of the Tahoe Resource Conservation District. “With this grant from the Tahoe Fund we were able to unlock significant public funds so we can get started.”

The Tahoe Fund is currently seeking donors for the Environmental Venture Trust who are interested in using philanthropic dollars to help drive innovative solutions to Tahoe’s core environmental challenges. Once the initial campaign goal of $100,000 is reached, the Tahoe Fund will request project ideas that are in need of early-stage funding to get started.

The Tahoe Resource Conservation District has partnered with Inventive Resources, Inc. to develop a pilot project to explore the feasibility of using UV light technology to treat and control aquatic invasive plant infestations. New research, conducted by Inventive Resources, Inc., including bench-tested technology in a laboratory setting, indicates that UV light (a high frequency light wave) damages the DNA and cellular structure of aquatic plants and their fragments. If determined to be feasible, UV treatment could avoid the need to use chemical herbicides to treat aquatic invasive weeds in the Tahoe Keys, which are of great concern to drinking water suppliers. The Tahoe Fund grant will unlock funds from the California Tahoe Conservancy’s SB 630 program and potentially additional funds in the future from the US EPA.

Through the generosity of private donors, the Tahoe Fund has supported 15 projects in the Tahoe Basin since 2011, including more than one million dollars for a new bike path from Incline to Sand Harbor that recently broke ground. For more information about how you can contribute to the Environmental Venture Trust or other Tahoe Fund projects, please visit www.tahoefund.org.

Vail Resorts Donates $79,900 to Tahoe Fund to Support Efforts to Improve the Tahoe Environment

July 15, 2016 by diana

Support comes from dollar donations from guests of Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. and TAHOE CITY, Calif. – July 14, 2016 – High atop Heavenly Mountain Resort, Vail Resorts presented a check for $79,900 to the Tahoe Fund. The donation is a result of dollar donations collected from guests at Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood, to support the efforts of the Tahoe Fund to improve outdoor recreation and lake clarity in Lake Tahoe through trail restoration, watershed restoration and stewardship programs.

“Guests of Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood continue to make a significant contribution to the work we are doing to improve the Tahoe environment,” said Cindy Gustafson, chair of the Tahoe Fund development committee. “Vail Resorts does a wonderful job of giving their guests a terrific experience. We are so thankful that they also give their guests this easy way to give back to Tahoe.”

The donation will help the Tahoe Fund guarantee much needed environmental improvement projects can be completed around the Tahoe Basin to improve the environment and the outdoor experience for visitors and residents. With the support of Vail’s guests, Tahoe Fund has ensured the completion of trail construction and restoration projects around the Basin, including the opening of the Van Sickle Bi-State Park that sits adjacent to the Heavenly ski resort and provides access to a breathtaking trail just out the door of the casino corridor. A new project this summer will expand the Lake Tahoe Bikeway around the Lake, with a plan to eventually connect the trail to Northstar.

In addition, Tahoe Fund has worked with Vail Resorts to expand the “Take Care” campaign in the region through a partnership with the Heavenly Mountain sign shop that allows area organizations to order signs at greatly reduced costs.

“We continue to be amazed at the level of engagement our guests have with Lake Tahoe, and their willingness to support the efforts of the Tahoe Fund,” said Pete Sonntag, Tahoe region vice president and chief operating officer of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “We’re proud to make this generous donation on behalf of our guests.”

The Tahoe Fund is a nonprofit dedicated to restoring lake clarity, enhancing outdoor recreation, and inspiring greater stewardship of the natural environment. Through the generosity of private donors, the Tahoe Fund has supported 15 projects in the Tahoe Basin, including raising more than $1 million for a new bike path from Incline to Sand Harbor that will break ground this year. The organization recently opened new campaigns for a new overlook at Taylor Creek to help improve the visitor experience during the popular salmon run, a restored section of hiking trail on the famed Rubicon Trail on the West Shore, and a new section of Lake Tahoe Bikeway near Dollar Point. For more information please visit www.tahoefund.org.

Tahoe Fund Launches 2016 Signature Projects

July 5, 2016 by diana

The Tahoe Fund Board of Directors is pleased to announce three new Signature Projects that need your support. These projects will continue to improve outdoor recreation in the Tahoe Basin while restoring the natural environment.

Rubicon Trail & Lighthouse Restoration
Goal: $50,000
Project Partner: California Department of State Parks & Recreation

The Rubicon Trail is one of the most iconic in the Tahoe Basin. Granite boulders reach down to the crystal blue waters below, while hikers can take in the panoramic vistas of Lake Tahoe from the West Shore. A section of the trail is currently challenging to navigate due to extreme steepness. This steepness also causes major trail erosion that ends up harming the trail and depositing sediment into the Lake.

State Parks has a plan to reroute this section of the trail to make it a more enjoyable trail to explore without the current erosion issues. With the support of private donors, we can help create a wonderful new section of trail for all to enjoy.

The project also includes restoration of the original lighthouse structure.

Dollar Creek Bike Path
Goal: $47,000
Project Partner: Placer County

Dollar Creek Bike Path is a 2.2 mile section of the Lake Tahoe Bikeway that will one day circumnavigate the entire Lake. This section expands the trail that currently leads from Tahoe City up to Dollar Hill. When complete, there will be more than 25 miles of contiguous Class 1 bike path from Tahoma to Carnelian Bay allowing users to explore the natural area as well as the local shops and eateries without ever getting into a car.

The project will include three new areas to stop and enjoy the scenery, benches, picnic tables, bike racks, and interpretive panels that will call attention to interesting environmental information about the trail. Donor recognition opportunities are available on the benches, tables, bike racks and panels.

Taylor Creek Overlook
Goal: $28,000
Project Partner: US Forest Service

Taylor Creek is the most popular interpretive center in the Tahoe Basin. Visitation spikes in the fall, when the Kokanee salmon begin spawning up the creek. Throngs of visitors, young and old, rush to the creek’s edge to see the waters turn alive with the bright red fish. Not surprisingly, so do the bears. Unfortunately, there is currently no proper way to responsibly protect the salmon and bears from the visitors, putting all three in danger.

The Tahoe Fund is working with the US Forest Service to design a new overlook at Taylor Creek that will provide a wonderful viewing location that will also significantly lower the issue of human-bear conflicts. Donations will be recognized on a donor wall at the trailhead.

John B. Jones, Jr. Joins Tahoe Fund Board of Directors

June 20, 2016 by Amy Berry

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. and TAHOE CITY, Calif. – June 20, 2016 – The nonprofit Tahoe Fund announced the appointment of John B. Jones Jr. to the Tahoe Fund Board of Directors. Jones, a member of the Truckee Tahoe Airport District and President of North Tahoe Real Estate Corporation, joins the organization as it prepares to expand its reach and private support of environmental improvement projects.

“We are thrilled to welcome JJ to the Tahoe Fund board,” said Art Chapman, chair of the Tahoe Fund board. “A true outdoorsman, he brings an excellent combination of business acumen and passion for Tahoe to our work.”

“As major supporters of the Tahoe Fund, my wife and I have watched the organization do wonderful work in the Tahoe Basin,” said Jones. “It is an honor to join the board and help continue to grow the organization’s impact with greater private support of environmental projects.”

Jones and his wife Glennis have had a home in the Lake Tahoe region for more than 40 years. He is an active outdoors person and very involved in the local Tahoe communities. He has been a Board member of the Truckee Tahoe Airport District since 2010 and served as its President in 2014 and 2015. John is the President of the North Tahoe Commercial real estate corporation and the President of his own investment management company, Triley Ventures. Prior to retirement in 2004, John was a securities analyst on Wall Street for 20 years where he followed the high tech sector for Montgomery Securities, Salomon Brothers, Salomon Smith Barney and Citibank. John began his technology pursuits at IBM in 1969. This led to his transition to Wall Street in 1985 as a technology analyst.

The Tahoe Fund is a nonprofit charged with inspiring the private community to support environmental improvement projects in the Tahoe Basin that will restore lake clarity, enhance outdoor recreation, and inspire greater stewardship of the natural environment. The Tahoe Fund has raised private funds for 15 projects in the Tahoe Basin, including a new bike path from Incline to Sand Harbor that will break ground this year. The organization will launch fundraising campaigns for its 2016 projects in early summer. They will feature the acquisition of 200 acres in South Lake Tahoe on the area’s highest priority watershed, a new overlook at Taylor Creek to help improve the visitor experience during the popular salmon run, a restored section of hiking trail on the famed Rubicon Trail on the West Shore, and a new section of Lake Tahoe Bikeway near Dollar Point. For more information please visit www.tahoefund.org.

Edgewood Tahoe Celebrates Opening of 48th Season with $10,422 Donation to Tahoe Fund

June 1, 2016 by diana

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. and TAHOE CITY, Calif. – June 1, 2016 – Edgewood Tahoe officially opened its iconic lakefront golf course for its 48^th season in May. To celebrate the occasion, Edgewood presented a check for $10,422 to the Tahoe Fund. The donation comes as a result of dollar donations added to rounds of golf by the resort in the 2015 golf season.

“We are so thankful for the continued support of Edgewood in our efforts to restore and improve Tahoe,” said Art Chapman, chair of the Tahoe Fund board. “We congratulate them on 48 wonderful years, and look forward to a great partnership long into the future.”

“Opening day is always a big day for our guests and employees,” said Bryan Davis, Director of Marketing at Edgewood Tahoe. “It was especially exciting to mark the day with a donation to the Tahoe Fund, an organization that works hard to preserve the environment that makes the Edgewood experience so memorable.”

The Tahoe Fund is a nonprofit dedicated to raising private funding for environmental improvement projects in the Tahoe Basin that will restore lake clarity, enhance outdoor recreation, and inspire greater stewardship of the natural environment. The Tahoe Fund has raised private funds for 15 projects in the Tahoe Basin, including a new bike path from Incline to Sand Harbor that will break ground this year. The organization will launch fundraising campaigns for its 2016 projects in early summer. They will feature the acquisition of 200 acres in South Lake Tahoe on the area’s highest priority watershed, a new overlook at Taylor Creek to help improve the visitor experience during the popular salmon run, a restored section of hiking trail on the famed Rubicon Trail on the West Shore, and a new section of Lake Tahoe Bikeway near Dollar Point. For more information please visit www.tahoefund.org.

Now in its 48th year of operations, Edgewood Tahoe is a world-class golf resort on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. This season will mark the 27^th year that the course has been home to the popular American Century Celebrity Golf Championship. Currently in development and scheduled to open in June 2017, the new Edgewood Lodge will feature 154 hotel rooms, additional dining, a luxury spa, outdoor swimming pool, meeting facilities, and many other amenities.