October 2023 Conservancy Newsletter

Motel 6 Demolition Complete at the Upper Truckee Marsh South Property

In cooperation with the DGS and Clauss Construction, the Conservancy has removed two former motel buildings, a vacant restaurant building, a swimming pool, and the surrounding parking areas. This is the first step to restoring the Conservancy’s Upper Truckee Marsh South property that historically provided important wetland habitat.

The Upper Truckee Marsh South property was one of the most consequential environmental acquisitions in years for the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Conservancy joined with partners to acquire the property in 2024, providing the opportunity to remove development from four acres of ecologically valuable floodplain along the Upper Truckee River and protect 25 acres of existing wetlands.

Funding partners for the property acquisition and demolition included the California Wildlife Conservation Board, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Tahoe Fund, League to Save Lake Tahoe, and the Conservancy.

Learn more

The Conservancy Community Forestry Program is implementing projects to reduce wildfire risk for communities and enhance forest resilience across the California side of the Basin. Updates for this month:

• The Conservancy has completed a 43-acre mastication project on forested state and federal public lands adjacent to the Tahoe Keys neighborhood in South Lake Tahoe. This fuels reduction project included both Conservancy and National Forest Lands properties, under a Good Neighbor Authority agreement with the USDA Forest Service, in the area between 15th Street and Tahoe Valley Elementary School. Watch our recent video about the project featuring California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot.
• Work has begun on a project to thin overcrowded forest and remove hazardous fuels on 33 acres of Conservancy land in El Dorado County near Lake Tahoe Airport. The project will help protect the airport and nearby El Dorado County neighborhoods along Pioneer Trail from wildfire.

The Conservancy received expedited approval for these two projects under Governor Gavin Newsom’s emergency proclamation on wildfire.

Earlier this month, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and California Tahoe Conservancy co-sponsored a tour through South Lake Tahoe and Markleeville to share how the conservancies are advancing nature-based solutions through projects to reforest areas affected by wildfires, reduce risk of future wildfires, and restore wetlands. The conservancies offered this tour to policymakers and government officials to provide an on-the-ground experience with nature-based solutions projects.

Learn more about the tour

Annual Winter Seasonal Closures for Van Sickle Bi-State Park and Tahoe Pines (Meyers)

The Conservancy and Nevada Division of State Parks will close vehicle gates and facilities for the winter at Van Sickle Bi-State Park on November 1. Park grounds remain open all winter to the public.

The Conservancy and Nevada State Parks co-manage the 725-acre park. The public may continue to enjoy the park’s day-use opportunities for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. For visitor safety, sledding is not allowed on roads or trails within the park.

Included in the winter seasonal closure are all park roads and parking lots to vehicular access, as well as restrooms and drinking fountains. No trash collection occurs during winter, and visitors are asked to practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash.

Winter visitors may access the park via the main park entrance at the intersection of Heavenly Village Way and Montreal Road in South Lake Tahoe. Visitors arriving by car must park legally outside the park without blocking the entrance gate.

The Conservancy is also closing the parking area at its Tahoe Pines property, located along the Upper Truckee River in Meyers. The grounds also remain open for public use all winter.