Tahoe Plate Fees Support Beach Improvements,
Access to Lake Tahoe Water Trail

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – August 28, 2012 – “Wild” is the new theme in advertising for Lake Tahoe license plates, as U.S. National Stand Up Paddleboard Team member Jay Wild of Truckee is featured in television and print ads shot last week at Carnelian Bay.

“Over 96 percent of fees help support projects like the Lake Tahoe Water Trail and access to beaches like this,” says Wild, standing on the beach at Watermans Landing. “I train on the lake every day. Tahoe is a treasure, and I have a Tahoe plate to show my love for this magical place.”

Improvements for public beaches and access to the Lake Tahoe Water Trail supported by Tahoe license plate fees are highlighted in the spots.

California and Nevada Tahoe license plate fees go directly to environmental improvement projects of the California Tahoe Conservancy and the Nevada Department of State Lands. The plates helped fund restoration at Carnelian Bay as well as access to the lake for users of non-motorized watercraft.

Wild donated his appearance for the Lake Tahoe Plate for Projects program, a promotional campaign coordinated by the non-profit Tahoe Fund. Winner of the Donner Lake Memorial Race over 67 international racers last May, Wild has consistently finished in the top four in international competition. He owns a café and SUP (stand-up paddleboard) rental business at Watermans Landing, where he enjoys sharing his passion for the lake and the growing sport.

License plate funds have helped complete watershed and wetland restoration projects, hiking trail and bike path improvements, fish and wildlife protection and erosion control in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Endeavors helped by Tahoe license income include:

• Blackwood Creek Restoration/Eagle Rock Trail (West Shore)
• Commons Beach (Tahoe City) and Lakeview Commons (South Lake Tahoe)
• Third Creek/Incline Creek Restoration (East Shore)
• Meadow Bike Path (Stateline)

Local and regional media outlets donate much of the ads’ air time and print space.

(TV spots and production photos available here)

About the Tahoe Fund
The mission of Tahoe Fund is to restore and enrich the extraordinary natural environment of the Lake Tahoe Basin by building broad support for projects and programs that increase the enjoyment of the region for current and future generations. Tahoe Fund supports short- and long-term project-based enhancements to the natural environment and infrastructure of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Fund focuses grants on the core areas of conservation, recreation and education/stewardship.

About the Plate for Projects Program
The Plate for Projects program is the name of the non-profit Tahoe Fund’s efforts to market and motivate sales of the Tahoe specialty license plates made available by the State of California and State of Nevada Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMV). All plate fees are submitted to the DMVs and reallocated directly to projects that are implemented in California (map) by the California Tahoe Conservancy and in Nevada by the Nevada Department of State Lands. Following DMV administrative costs, 96 percent of Tahoe license plate sales income supports the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, which focuses on bike paths, hiking trails, parks and conservation in the two states.

Founders Circle Donors Ante Up for California and Nevada Projects at Tahoe Fund Summer Dinner and Croquet Party

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – August 17, 2012 – Founders Circle members of the non-profit Tahoe Fund donated $55,000 at Sunday’s annual Tahoe Fund Summer Dinner and croquet party for three specific projects that will improve lake clarity and recreational opportunities in the Tahoe Basin. The money raised by the Fund is for shovel-ready public projects that require additional private support to be completed, and was in addition to the more than $120,000 raised by the dinner for the organization.

The three projects chosen to receive funding from Tahoe Fund are the Blackwood Creek Restoration/Eagle Rock Trail on the West Shore, Incline/Third Creek Restoration at Incline Village, and the Rabe Meadow Bike Trail at Stateline.

“It was a fabulous night to celebrate Tahoe,” said Cindy Gustafson, board chair of the Tahoe Fund. “We are only in our second year, but we are already seeing how powerful it is to connect people’s passion for Tahoe with on-the-ground projects that are really going to make a difference.”

California Governor Jerry Brown and U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Dean Heller were on hand to personally thank the donors for their support of the Tahoe Fund, which raises private money for bike paths, hiking trails, restoration projects and stewardship education in the Tahoe Basin. The dinner was attended by over 200 people at Edgewood Tahoe’s historic Friday’s Station residence.

The $30,000 raised for Blackwood Creek/Eagle Rock will allow the project to be completed. Rabe Meadow bike path at South Shore and the Third Creek/Incline Creek Restoration project on the east shore raised a combined $25,000 in project money donated at the Tahoe Fund dinner. Both are now within reach of the amount needed for completion.

The Tahoe Fund’s mission fit perfectly with Monday’s “Public-Private Partnerships” theme at the 16th Annual Lake Tahoe Summit hosted by Senator Heller and sponsored by the Tahoe Fund. At the event, Senator Feinstein encouraged those who care about Tahoe to support the Tahoe Fund.

“I really want to ask you to participate,” Feinstein said to supporters of Lake Tahoe. “Help us raise the private money.”

Donations of any amount are welcome by the Tahoe Fund; Founders Circle membership is open to supporters pledging $5,000 or more by the end of this year when the Founders Circle campaign concludes. Information is available at info@tahoefund.org, or by calling 775.298.0035.

About the Tahoe Fund
The mission of Tahoe Fund is to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural environment of the Lake Tahoe Basin by building broad support and funding for projects and programs that increase the enjoyment of the region for current and future generations. The Fund focuses grants on the core areas of conservation, recreation and education/stewardship.

Media Contact:
Amy R Berry
CEO
aberry (at) tahoefund.org
Mobile: 775.338.1668

Non-profit’s New Private Funding Model for Basin to be Highlighted at Summit on Monday, August 13

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – August 9, 2012 – The need for more public-private partnerships to complete environmental projects at Lake Tahoe is the focus of the 16th annual Lake Tahoe Summit, which will be held this Monday, August 13 at the Edgewood Tahoe resort at Stateline, NV. The free event will be held 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and is open to the public.

“This need is directly addressed by the non-profit Tahoe Fund,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund, which for a second year is the Tahoe Summit Organizing Sponsor. “Our goal is to engage people and organizations with a passion for Tahoe and raise the money needed for environmental projects in the Tahoe Basin. The message at the Summit from our elected leaders will motivate people to become involved in the efforts to improve and enhance the recreation and natural resources of this incredible lake.”

Host U.S. Senator Dean Heller, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Congressman Tom McClintock, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, California Governor Jerry Brown and other officials and experts are expected to talk about the issues facing Lake Tahoe and the need for public partnerships with private sources like private citizens, businesses and foundations to accomplish environmental and recreational improvements in the Tahoe Basin.

The 2-year-old Tahoe Fund has raised more than $700,000 in private pledges since last year. The Tahoe-based organization is holding its second annual Summer Dinner this Sunday at Edgewood  Tahoe’s Historic Friday’s Station to honor its Founders Circle donors who have pledged to financially support the Fund and its goal of providing funding for conservation, recreation and stewardship education projects at Lake Tahoe.

Registration at the 2012 Lake Tahoe Summit will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Edgewood Tahoe resort and presentations will start at 10. Parking will be at the Horizon Casino Resort, 50 Highway 50, Stateline, NV and free shuttles will provide transportation to the nearby Summit venue.

About the Tahoe Fund
The mission of Tahoe Fund is to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural environment of the Lake Tahoe Basin by building broad support and funding for projects and programs that increase the enjoyment of the region for current and future generations. The Fund focuses grants on the core areas of conservation, recreation and education/stewardship.

Non-Profit to Celebrate Founding Donors on August 12th

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – July 31, 2012 – The Tahoe Fund is encouraging supporters of Lake Tahoe to break out their croquet whites for a good cause. The environmental non-profit is preparing for its 2nd Annual Founders Circle Summer Dinner, to be held at Edgewood Tahoe’s historic Friday’s Station on Sunday, August 12th. Billed as a night to celebrate the organization’s early funders and the Lake, the event will include “Tahoe Croquet” and a gourmet dinner on the lawn. Senators Feinstein, Heller and Governor Brown have all confirmed their attendance.

Founded in 2010, the Tahoe Fund aims to become a major source of private funding for vital environmental improvement projects in the areas of recreation, conservation and education. The organization brings together many interests within the Tahoe basin, with a board of directors comprised of leaders from California and Nevada, North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe, public and private organizations, environmentalists, and developers. The Fund is also the organizing sponsor of the 2012 Lake Tahoe Summit sponsored by Senator Dean Heller on the morning after the Croquet Party at Edgewood Tahoe.

“There is a lot to love about Tahoe,” said Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry, “This magical night will celebrate all that is amazing about Tahoe and recognize our Founders for their support of our vision to ensure Tahoe continues to be enjoyed by many generations to come.”

The Tahoe Fund launched its first major fundraising campaign, the Founders Circle, in March 2011. Since then the organization has raised more than $650,000 in pledges from individuals, businesses and private foundations. The campaign is set to conclude at the end of this year. The Fund will continue to raise funds for environmental projects like bike trails, hiking trails, watershed restoration and stewardship education.

For more information about the Tahoe Fund Croquet Party and the Founders Circle, please email info@tahoefund.org or call 775-298-0035.

About the Tahoe Fund
The mission of Tahoe Fund is to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural environment of the Lake Tahoe Basin by building broad support and funding for projects and programs that increase the enjoyment of the region for current and future generations. The Fund focuses grants on the core areas of conservation, recreation and education/stewardship.