Non-Profit Raised Private Dollars to Support Restoration of Incline & Third Creek Watershed Restoration Projects

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – November 14, 2012 – The environmental non-profit Tahoe Fund presented a $10,000 check today to the Nevada interagency team responsible for implementing the state’s highest priority Lake Tahoe restoration project, the Third Creek and Incline Creek watershed project. The grant finances a pedestrian bridge over Incline Creek to provide a recreational amenity in the heart of Incline Village and support the Environmental Improvement Program to improve lake clarity and recreational opportunities in the Tahoe Basin.

The Third and Incline Creeks watershed discharges more damaging fine sediment into the lake than any other watershed in Nevada. The funding was contributed by private donors at the Tahoe Fund annual Founders Circle Summer Dinner in August, and helps with a project that will significantly reduce sediment and improve fish passage.

“Thanks to the generosity of our donors we are able to help fund important projects like this that will truly make a difference in terms of lake clarity,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “This bridge is a wonderful example of how we can come together to create a Tahoe that balances our natural environment and our recreational use of this amazing outdoor playground.”

“The Division of State Lands and the Tahoe Resource Team are very grateful for this donation from the Tahoe Fund,” said Jim Lawrence, Administrator, Nevada Division of State Lands.  “It is wonderful to have private support in our efforts to improve the Tahoe environment.”

The Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID), the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Nevada Division of State Lands completed the first two phases of this collaborative interagency project in 2009 and 2010.  Portions of Third Creek were restored, culverts were replaced, and new bridges were built. The final phase includes stream restoration improvements on Third Creek from Lakeshore Drive to Lake Tahoe, and on Third and Incline Creeks from Incline Way to State Route 28. To allow for safe, stabilized foot traffic across both creeks and diminish stream bank erosion, pedestrian bridges like the one funded by Tahoe Fund have been included in the project design.

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.

Popular “Plates for Powder” Promotion Rewards Tahoe Plate Buyers while Raising Money for Important Environmental Projects in Tahoe

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – November 1, 2012 – With the official start to the Tahoe ski season just around the corner, the Tahoe Fund is launching the popular “Plates for Powder” promotion to drive sales of Lake Tahoe license plates.  From now until April 15, anyone who purchases a new Lake Tahoe license plate in either California or Nevada is eligible to receive two free ski tickets to one of the 11 Tahoe resorts participating in the program.

“This is a hard promotion not to love,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “You can show your love of Tahoe with a license plate and ski for free at one of 11 amazing Tahoe resorts, all while helping to improve Tahoe with your plate fees.“

Over 96% of the funds raised through the plate sales go directly to the state agencies, the California Tahoe Conservancy and Nevada Division of State Lands, to fund hiking and biking trails and watershed restoration projects. The Tahoe Fund, a bi-state non-profit dedicated to raising money for environmental improvement projects that support lake clarity, recreation and stewardship in the Tahoe Basin, is organizing the program on behalf of the public agencies.

The resorts participating in the promotion include Alpine Meadows, Heavenly Valley, Homewood, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose, Northstar California, Royal Gorge Cross Country, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Squaw Valley USA, Sugar Bowl, and Tahoe Cross Country.   The Tahoe Fund recruited Tahoe snow-sport all-stars Julia Mancuso, Jeremy Jones, JT Holmes, and Daron Rahlves for an advertising campaign to promote “Plates for Powder” throughout the 2013 ski season.  (Photos)

Information on how to purchase a plate and redeem free tickets is available at www.tahoeplates.com. The promotion is available from now until April 15. Some restrictions apply; visit the website for more details.

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 Raised Private Dollars to Support Important Public Creek Restoration and Trail Project

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