Tahoe Conservancy Awards $355,000 in Grants to Improve Tahoe Trails and Trailheads

South Lake Tahoe, Calif.—At its meeting today, the California Tahoe Conservancy Board authorized $355,000 for grants to Tahoe nonprofits for trail and trailhead improvement projects. The grants include:

• $125,000 to help support the Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Education Association in creating a new public trailhead near North Tahoe High School in Tahoe City. The new trailhead and parking lot will provide public access to the surrounding extensive network of hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country ski trails.
• $115,000 to the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) and $115,000 to the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) to complete dirt trail network improvements on USDA Forest Service lands on the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

“We’re excited to support our nonprofit partners in their work to benefit people using these trails to enjoy hiking, biking, camping, and more on the public lands around Lake Tahoe,” said Adam Acosta, Chair of the California Tahoe Conservancy Board.

Working together, TAMBA and the TRTA will complete trail improvements on up to 40 miles of trails, including building erosion control features, clearing overgrowth in burn areas, and taking steps to reduce user-created trails. These trail improvements will create long-term solutions for erosion control and improve environmental sustainability on Basin trails.

Conservancy funding for the three grants comes from Proposition 68.

At the same meeting, the Board discussed revisions to the guidelines that the Conservancy applies to all of its grant programs. The current Grant Guidelines date from 2019, and the Conservancy is considering revisions to bring them up to date with the Conservancy’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan and its Racial Equity Action Plan, as well as updated application processes and new funding sources.

Also at the meeting, the Board discussed public input on the Upper Truckee Marsh South project. Since last spring, the Conservancy has been seeking ideas from the community for wetland restoration, public access improvements, and vegetation management at the Upper Truckee Marsh South property, site of the former Motel 6. The Conservancy expects to reengage community members this fall, to share concepts for the property and seek additional feedback and input. The Board also discussed other Upper Truckee River Watershed restoration efforts, including, the Conservancy’s Upper Truckee River Sunset Stables, Reach 6 Project.

Media Resources: 

• Photo of trail crew
• Map of trailhead relocation project

Media Contact: Chris Carney, California Tahoe Conservancy, chris.carney@tahoe.ca.gov, 530-543-6057 

###

The California Tahoe Conservancy is a state agency, established in 1984, with a mission to lead California’s efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Learn more at tahoe.ca.gov.