January 2023 Conservancy Newsletter

Upper Truckee River

January 2023 Conservancy Newsletter

Winter has returned to Tahoe with gusto. When not shoveling, Conservancy employees have spent recent weeks planning our work for the year. Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration continues to prioritize reducing wildfire risk and accelerating nature-based solutions—good news for partners working to restore resilience to Tahoe’s landscapes and communities. We look forward to great things ahead, working with all of you.

Jason Vasques, Executive Director
California Tahoe Conservancy

Preparing for the 2023 Field Season and Beyond

Snow on a meadow, trees, and mountains with cloudy skies.

A deep blanket of snow covers Conservancy lands at Lake Tahoe, but our staff is already looking ahead to the coming field season. Our Land Management team is again collaborating with the Tahoe Resource Conservation District to sketch out details for joint field crews. And the Lands team is also beginning early steps to identify long term strategies for more efficient management of the Conservancy’s 4,700 properties. Our Community Forestry team is expanding recruitment from four to six seasonal Forestry Aides, which will allow us to continue to prepare future forestry projects while increasing monitoring for effectiveness toward resilience goals.

Governor’s Budget Proposal Continues to Prioritize Climate Investments

In early January, Governor Newsom released his proposed Fiscal Year 2023/24 budget, which recognizes the importance of continued investment in nature-based solutions and addressing the risk of wildfire. The Governor proposes continued support for the Conservancy’s role in collaborating with our Lake Tahoe Basin partners to achieve climate resilience at Tahoe. Learn more about the Governor’s proposed budget by checking out the recording of the California Natural Resources’ recent Stakeholder Webinar on YouTube.

Conservancy Staff Updates

Two people looking out over Lake Tahoe over text saying

Growth at the California Tahoe Conservancy

The Conservancy has multiple opportunities for you to join our staff. Visit our employment page to learn more about these positions. You, too, can be part of a great team, working to protect a national treasure.

  • Director of Natural Resources (Environmental Program Manager I (Supervisor))
  • Natural Resources Support Analyst (Associate Governmental Program Analyst)
  • Forestry Aide – Full Time Seasonal – multiple positions
  • Tahoe Livable Communities Supervisor (Senior Environmental Planner)
  • Recreation and Public Access Supervisor (Senior Environmental Planner)
  • Purchasing Coordinator (coming soon)

Learn more

New Role

Aga Kuligowski, CPA

Aga Kuligowski, CPA

Contract/Procurement Analyst

Aga Kuligowski has accepted a new role as the Conservancy’s Contract/Procurement Analyst. In her new position, Aga has responsibility for the Conservancy’s wide-ranging contracts, while continuing to serve as a key member of the Fiscal Team. Aga joined the Conservancy in 2019 as an Accounting Officer. She initially provided support for all things accounts payable, while taking on additional increasing fiscal responsibilities in years since. Her experience prior to the Conservancy includes working in public accounting for a local South Lake Tahoe firm, where she passed the Certified Public Accountant exam.

Upcoming California Tahoe Conservancy Board Meetings

The California Tahoe Conservancy Board will meet on February 1, 2023. An agenda is available on the Conservancy website.

The Board will meet again on March 16, 2023. An agenda will be available on the Conservancy website ten days prior to the meeting.

Show Your Love for Tahoe While Protecting It

When you order a California Lake Tahoe license plate, you help build biking and hiking trails, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and protect Lake Tahoe’s famous beaches and blue waters. 96 percent of all funds from Tahoe plate sales come back to Lake Tahoe. 

My Tahoe Plate
My Tahoe Plate

Show Your Love for Tahoe While Protecting It

When you order a California Lake Tahoe license plate, you help build biking and hiking trails, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and protect Lake Tahoe’s famous beaches and blue waters. 96 percent of all funds from Tahoe plate sales come back to Lake Tahoe.