Tahoe Fund Donors Provide Much Needed Support for 2013 Signature Projects
Thanks to the incredible generosity of Tahoe Fund donors, four important environmental projects that will restore lake clarity and improve recreation will now be possible. In total, donors raised more than $130,000 for the Emerald Bay Asian Clam Control Project, West Shore Bike Trail, Sand Harbor Beach Improvements and the Angora Creek Bridge Restoration Project. “State Parks is very proud to be a partner with the Tahoe Fund and a recipient of project funds to help implement the Sand Harbor Beach Improvement project,” said Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park Supervisor Jay Howard. “It’s wonderful to see the Tahoe Fund facilitating a ‘Partnership with the Public’ and getting everyone involved with the stewardship of this most precious resource, Lake Tahoe.” “The private community of individuals and businesses has once again shown their desire and ability to help improve the Tahoe environment,” added Tahoe Fund Chair Timothy Cashman. “We are so thankful for their generosity and support of these wonderful projects.” To learn more about these wonderful projects, click here.

Tahoe Fund In Search of Great 2014 Environmental Projects
The Tahoe Fund is actively seeking environmental improvement projects in the Tahoe Basin that will restore lake clarity, improve outdoor recreation, and build a stronger sense of stewardship in the region. The organization plans to build a portfolio of such projects in need of monetary support that can attract donations from the private community of individuals, businesses and foundations. The board of directors will choose a handful of projects to be 2014 Signature Projects and the focus of the Fund’s summer fundraising activities. Find the RFP here.

Tahoe Fund Donor Profile: Steven and Sandy Hardie
Steven and Sandy Hardie first visited Tahoe as young children. Steven remembers learning to ski outfitted in wooden skis with cable bindings, big baggy wool pants and bamboo poles with big leather baskets. Once in high school, he and his brother started coming up to ski. They would camp out in the parking lot of Squaw Valley. At 16, Steven taught Sandy to ski at Alpine Meadows. After high school, Sandy worked at the Cal-Neva with girlfriends during the summer and learned to love water skiing and the outdoor environment of Tahoe. Many years later the two reconnected, married, and bought a condo in Crystal Bay. It is their favorite place in Tahoe. “The sunsets in Tahoe are like no other, with the stars being so majestic to look at with the cool evening breeze,” said Sandy. “For us Lake Tahoe is a picture perfect place to spend our summers.” At sixty, Steven is currently training for an Ironman, and uses the condo as his training base. He can often be found swimming in the Lake with his dogs or hydro-foiling across the water on a sit-on ski behind his boat. “I recently saw an interview by Julia Mancuso and she said she loves anything liquid-no matter what form its in,” said Steven. “That would be the same for me.”
Steven and Sandy chose to support the Tahoe Fund by joining the Founders Circle campaign at the Platinum level. “We believe in the approach of the Tahoe Fund. There are too many naysayers in Tahoe that don’t see how we can get positive things done,” said Steven. “We like that the Tahoe Fund recognizes that there are always going to be people around the Lake. Let’s do something positive to improve the experience for everyone.”
“Lake Tahoe has always been a part of our life. To maintain the beauty for everyone else to enjoy as much as we do is wonderful,” said Sandy. “We feel it is an honor to be a part of an organization that has the passion, commitment and drive to keep Tahoe a paradise.“

Founding Board Chair Cindy Gustafson Wins Spirit of Lake Award
cindy-gustafsonFounding Board Chair of the Tahoe Fund, Cindy Gustafson, was honored with the Spirit of the Lake award for her years-long commitment to the north shore community, particularly in her perseverance to construct bike trails and sidewalks in and around Tahoe City and for her leadership in creating and chairing the the Tahoe Fund.

Tahoe Fund CEO Named Twenty Under 40 Honoree
AmyBerryCEOAmy Berry was named a Twenty Under 40 honoree by the Reno Gazette Journal and the Reno-Tahoe Young Professionals Network for her work as the CEO of the Tahoe Fund. Chosen from a pool of 195 applicants, the committee chose Amy thanks in large part to the early success of the Tahoe Fund. In a Sunday Feature of the paper, she was highlighted for “living a dream protecting the Lake.” Read the story here.

SPECIAL EVENTS AT HEAVENLY, NORTHSTAR AND SQUAW VALLEY FOR TAHOE LICENSE PLATE OWNERS APRIL 5 & 6

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. and Nev. – March 31st, 2014 – The Tahoe Fund is partnering with Heavenly, Northstar and Squaw Valley to say thank you to the thousands of people who support Lake Tahoe through the purchase and renewal of Tahoe license plates. The weekend of April 5 & 6, visitors to the three resorts who arrive with their Tahoe license plates will be provided with special benefits on the mountains, including valet parking and breakfast.

“We want to say ‘thank you’ to all of the people who make the extra effort to help Tahoe with the purchase and renewal of their Tahoe plates,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “Once again the resorts have stepped up to support the program and help us show our appreciation.”

The first 100 plate holders to visit Heavenly will receive free preferred parking in the California Lodge parking lot as well as a $3 breakfast burrito special and half off an après ski beer in the California Lodge.

Northstar will provide family friendly fun, including complimentary parking to the first 100
visitors, as well as complimentary breakfast in The Village at Northstar; and complimentary roller skating in The Village. Tahoe license plate holders will also savor complimentary beer at the Lodge at Big Springs—a perfect way to enjoy the fun of the Spring It On pond skim festivities, live music, and more.

Visitors to Squaw Valley who have purchased Tahoe license plates will receive free valet parking and Clif Bars. Squaw will also donate $20 to the Tahoe Fund for every season pass purchased that weekend by current Tahoe plate owners. On Saturday, plate owners are invited to an Après Party on KT Base Bar deck with live music from the West Water Outlaws.

“Our company recognizes the significance of the Tahoe Fund’s mission as something important to our guests, our staff and our community – and we are thrilled to recognize Tahoe plate owners for their generosity this coming weekend,” said Andy Wirth, president and CEO of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. “As a board member of the Tahoe Fund, I have seen firsthand the important work that this organization is doing to preserve Lake Tahoe and improve the lake’s clarity, and we are honored to lend our support.”

“This is a great way for Heavenly Mountain Resort and Northstar California to show appreciation to guests who support the health of Lake Tahoe and the outstanding work of the Tahoe Fund,” said Bill Rock, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Northstar California Resort. “We’re honored to partner with the Tahoe Fund and thrilled at the opportunity to offer special thanks to our guests who participate in the Tahoe License Plate program.”

Over 96% of the funds raised through the sale of Tahoe license plates support hiking and biking trails and watershed restoration projects such as the Lower Blackwood Creek Restoration, Sawmill Bike Trail and Rabe Meadow Bike Path. The Tahoe Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to raising money and support for environmental improvement projects promotes the sale of Tahoe license plates on behalf of the beneficiaries of the plate fees, the California Tahoe Conservancy and the Nevada Division of State Lands. For more information on the program, please visit www.tahoeplates.com.

Dealership to Promote Tahoe License Plates as a “True Blue” Dealer

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – February 20, 2014 – Right make. Right model. Right trim. Right license plate? At Putnam dealerships across the Bay Area, a Lake Tahoe license plate is the stylish new option for all sales and a simple way to make Tahoe better. Thanks to a new partnership between Putnam and the Tahoe Fund, Putnam will be promoting the sale of Tahoe License Plates with each new sale. Funds from the purchase and renewal fees go to a variety of important environmental improvement projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

As California’s first True Blue Dealer, owner Marty Putnam is driving these green efforts to better connect with the desires of his environmentally friendly customers. The Putnam Family has a long history of donating to environmental and educational charities. Being a True Blue Dealership was an easy decision for the Putnams.

“Some of my earliest and best memories are building snow forts with my two older brothers and skiing with dad in Tahoe,” said Putnam. “We enjoyed it then and we love it even more now. And we know a lot of our customers feel the same way.”

Over 96% of the funds raised through the plate sales go directly to the California Tahoe Conservancy to support hiking and biking trails and watershed restoration projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Tahoe Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the Tahoe environment, is organizing the program on behalf of the public agency. New plate holders who purchase Tahoe plates before April 1, 2014 are eligible to receive two free lift tickets from one of 11 participating resorts.

Putnam’s father, Joe, founded Putnam Automotive in 1965. His first dealership, Putnam Buick, had 25 employees; today they have 12 dealerships and employ over 400 people. They soon will be celebrating 50 years in business, making them one of the oldest dealership groups in California. Joe Putnam is now retired, and the dealerships are run by his two sons, Marty and Kent. They are the largest privately held dealership group in Northern California and are multiple winners of the prestigious Elite of Lexus Award and the Toyota Presidents Award for high levels of customer satisfaction.

For more information on the Lake Tahoe license plate, visit www.tahoeplates.com. To find a Putnam Automotive dealer near you, visit www.putnamauto.com.

Buy a Tahoe License Plate and Ski for Free

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – February 06, 2014 – The snow dances have finally paid off, so buckle up and take advantage of the Tahoe Fund’s “Plates for Powder” program. Purchase a new California or Nevada Tahoe license plate before April 1 and receive two free Alpine or Nordic lift tickets.

“It’s a simple way to make Tahoe better,” said Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry. “Thanks to our partnership with local resorts, you can hit the new snow and have a positive impact in the Basin.”

The funds raised through the plate sales go directly to the bi-state agencies, California Tahoe Conservancy and Nevada Division of State Lands. The plates support hiking and biking trails such as the Eagle Rock Trail and watershed restoration projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Tahoe Fund, a non-profit dedicated to improving the Tahoe environment, is organizing the program on behalf of the public agencies.

The 11 resorts participating in the promotion include: Alpine Meadows, Diamond Peak, Heavenly Valley, Homewood, Kirkwood, Northstar California, Royal Gorge Cross Country, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Squaw Valley, Sugar Bowl, and Tahoe Cross Country.

Current Tahoe license plate holders are also eligible for free tickets through the “Plate Spotter” program. Owners of Tahoe plates can post a photo of their Tahoe plate to the Tahoe Fund Facebook page. A winning photo is chosen bi-weekly to receive two free lift tickets from one of the participating resorts.

Information on how to purchase a plate and redeem free tickets is available at www.tahoeplates.com. The promotion is available through April 1. Some restrictions apply; visit the website for more details.