April 2026 Conservancy Newsletter

Van Sickle Bi-State Park, Tahoe Pines (Meyers) Reopen for Summer Season

Gates and facilities at Van Sickle Bi-State Park reopen for the season, Friday, May 1, 2026. Park roads, parking areas, restrooms, and drinking fountains will all become available for visitors. The Conservancy and Nevada State Parks co-manage the 728-acre park, which offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and the historic Van Sickle ranch barn and cabins.

The Conservancy’s Tahoe Pines property also reopens on May 1. The eight-acre Tahoe Pines property hugs the Upper Truckee River upstream of U.S. Highway 50 in Meyers.

Seasonal Dog Closure to Protect Wildlife at Upper Truckee Marsh Starts May 1

The Conservancy’s Upper Truckee Marsh property temporarily closes to dogs starting May 1, 2026. This annual seasonal closure prevents dogs from entering sensitive habitat for birds and other wildlife during the breeding season. People must keep their dogs away from the closed area of the Marsh through July 31. The Marsh reopens to leashed dogs on August 1.

Learn more about the annual seasonal closure.

Open House: Meyers Watercraft Inspection Station

Photo credit: Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Novus Select

Monday, May 4, 2026, 5:30 – 7 p.m. (open house format)
Lake Valley Fire Protection District Station, 2211 Keetak Street, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

The community is invited to attend an open house to learn about and provide input on the proposed watercraft inspection station in Meyers, California. Partner agencies committed to protecting Lake Tahoe from aquatic invasive species (AIS) are proposing to relocate the watercraft inspection station near South Lake Tahoe to a permanent location.

At the meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Learn about the purpose, scope, and design of the proposed project
• Review findings from the public draft environmental document
• Ask questions and engage with the partner agencies
• Provide public comments that will help inform the final draft environmental document.

A public draft environmental analysis for the project is available for review and comment at TahoeBoatInspections.com/Meyers.

Tahoe Conservancy to Begin Surveying 57 Conservancy Properties in 2026

The California Tahoe Conservancy will begin coordinating surveys on 57 of its properties this year and wants to let neighbors know what to expect. The Conservancy manages and protects about 4,700 properties, totaling about 6,900 acres, throughout the California side of the Basin for open space, wildlife habitat, and recreation. The surveys help the Conservancy assess encroachments, prepare for forest health projects to reduce wildfire risk for neighbors, and manage natural resources to benefit wildlife. Learn more about the upcoming surveys of Conservancy property.

Firewise Community Workshop

Tuesday, May 5, 6-7:30 p.m.
Fairway Community Center, 330 Fairway Drive, Tahoe City, CA 96145

Learn about the Firewise program and how it can be a tool to help communities become fire resilient. This workshop will guide participants step by step through the Firewise application. Attendees will learn how Firewise principles support wildfire risk reduction, strengthen community preparedness, and encourage collaborative action. The event organizers will also highlight practical ways to begin organizing community efforts. This workshop is free and snacks will be provided. No registration required.

Hosted by the Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities, Tahoe Resource Conservation District, North Tahoe Fire Protection District, and the UNR Living With Fire Program.

The Value of Restoring Sierra Nevada Wetlands and Meadows

The Conservancy is proud to be a member of the Sierra Meadows Partnership, which fosters collaboration to increase the pace, scale, and efficacy of meadow restoration and protection in the Sierra Nevada for the benefit of people and ecosystems. Check out this video by partner Point Blue, Meadows Rising: Restoring California’s Mountain Heartlands.