July 2023 Conservancy Newsletter
Field season is underway at Lake Tahoe. The Conservancy and our partners are making progress on projects to improve forest and wildfire resilience. We also recently announced new grants to increase the pace and scale of forest management at Tahoe, while funding a study to help protect wildlife corridors. Read on for more on these activities, plus updates on restoration and recreation projects, news on Conservancy staff, and more.
Jason Vasques, Executive Director
California Tahoe Conservancy
Update on New Wetlands at Upper Truckee Marsh
In our video, see how water from the Upper Truckee River and Lake Tahoe is flowing into 12 acres of new wetlands the Conservancy created at the Upper Truckee Marsh. The new wetlands help increase climate resilience, provide critical wildlife habitat, and filter pollutants for Lake Tahoe.
Update on the Dennis T. Machida Memorial Greenway
In this video, see how the Greenway’s design has allowed the trail to function well during high creek flows after the big winter. Also, during the winter, the City of South Lake Tahoe plowed deep snow to keep the path open.
Reducing Wildfire Risk, Managing Habitat on Public Open Space Lots
The Conservancy Community Forestry Program and its partners and contractors are implementing projects across the California side of the Basin. Activities underway include:
- Reducing hazardous fuels on Conservancy open space lots in the Ski Run and Bijou neighborhoods, and Conservancy and USDA Forest Service open lots the Gardner Mountain and Tahoe Island neighborhoods in South Lake Tahoe and in the North Upper Truckee neighborhood in El Dorado County. Total project area: 225 acres.
- Preparing Conservancy and Forest Service open space lots for potential future forestry projects in the Sierra Tract and Al Tahoe neighborhoods in South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Hills and Tahoma neighborhoods on the west shore. Total project area: 135 acres
The Conservancy manages thousands of forested properties at Tahoe, mostly in and adjacent to communities. Our Community Forestry Program improves forest health and reduces risks from wildfire on these Conservancy lands, while also protecting and enhancing water quality and wildlife habitat. On adjacent lands, we coordinate with fire agencies and other land managers on projects consistent with the Lake Tahoe Basin Forest Action Plan. This complementary work enhances community wildfire protection and reduces risks to the natural landscape.
Photos: California Conservation Corspmembers reduce hazardous fuels on a Conservancy lot in Meyers in El Dorado County.
Conservancy Awards $4.6 Million to Reduce Wildfire Risk
The Conservancy has awarded two grants totaling $4,627,000 to build partner capacity for forest and wildfire resilience projects across the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin:
- A $3,302,500 grant will help the Lake Valley Fire Protection District and South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue ensure they have the personnel to plan and oversee projects to reduce wildfire risk on the south shore.
- A $1,324,500 grant will fund the Tahoe Resource Conservation District to provide professional forestry services to complete environmental review and prepare prescriptions and layout for forest resilience projects.
Tahoe Conservancy Grants $500,000 for Study to Protect Wildlife Corridors
The Conservancy has awarded a $500,000 grant to the nonprofit Wildlands Network, in partnership with Pathways for Wildlife, for a multi-year study of wildlife connectivity in the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Understanding how wildlife move through and within the Basin will help land managers and other Basin partners protect the diversity of Tahoe wildlife species.
Remediating Lead Paint at the Van Sickle Barn
The Conservancy is remediating lead paint on the historic barn at Van Sickle Bi-State Park. The park remains open during the work, which the Conservancy expects to last about two weeks. Parking is limited on the California side of the park and the work area immediately around the barn will be closed off.
Accessing Your Public Lands
New accessibility mats link the end of the trail at the Upper Truckee Marsh to Lake Tahoe’s shoreline. Both the trail and the mats meet Americans with Disability Act standards, making it easier for everyone to enjoy the marsh and lakeshore.
Lake Tahoe Summit
The 27th annual Lake Tahoe Summit takes place on Wednesday, August 9 at Kings Beach State Recreation Area. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla will host this year’s summit.
Conservancy Staff Updates
Meet the Conservancy, Vol 3.
Next up in our video series in which we periodically highlight a Conservancy employee: Meet Bruce Cutting, who has been with the Tahoe Conservancy’s IT Team for 12 years, providing the tech needed to restore and enhance the natural resources and recreation opportunities at Lake Tahoe.
Join the Conservancy Staff
Want to join a great team working to protect and restore a national treasure? We’re hiring. The Conservancy has openings for a Natural Resources Division Director, Tahoe Livable Communities Supervisor, and Office Administrator. Learn more.
New Employees
Jess Kohls
Natural Resource Support Analyst
Jess Kohls joined the Conservancy’s fiscal team in June as a Natural Resource Support Analyst, supporting the Landscape and Community Forestry programs. Prior to joining the Conservancy, Jess worked for California State Parks for almost a decade, including as a Senior Park Aide in Santa Cruz, as a Park and Recreation Specialist at San Luis Reservoir, as an Administrative/Procurement Analyst at Parks’ Peace Officer Academy in Butte County, and as a Sector Administrative Analyst in Big Sur. Jess graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Recreational Management, and a minor Psychology.
Haley Lazar
Environmental Planner
Haley Lazar returns to the Conservancy as an Environmental Planner with the Land Management Program. Having most recently worked for the Tahoe Resource Conservation District, Haley provided support for the Conservancy’s Land Management program for the past three years as a Land Steward and Lot Inspector. Prior to working for Tahoe RCD, Haley had worked at the Conservancy as a Student Assistant. Haley earned an associate degree in Natural Science at Lake Tahoe Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science – Ecology at Sierra Nevada College.
Hannah Rider
Legal Intern
Hannah Rider is working with the Conservancy legal team this summer as a Legal Intern, assisting with research and memoranda on land management, tribal relations, and other environmental issues. Hannah will enter her third year at the University of California, Davis School of Law in August. During law school, she has interned with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and the Attorney General’s Office in the Environment and Natural Resources Sections. Prior to law school, Hannah worked for the Center for Western Priorities, a public lands and conservation advocacy nonprofit based in Denver, Colorado.
Upcoming California Tahoe Conservancy Board Meetings
The California Tahoe Conservancy Board will meet on September 20-21, 2023. An agenda will be available on the Conservancy website ten days prior to the meeting.
Lake Tahoe in the News
Lake Tahoe stewardship plan introduced to address tourism, recreation challenges, Tahoe Daily Tribune, June 20, 2023
Visitors left 8,000 pounds of trash on Tahoe beaches July 4, SFGATE, July 6, 2023
Volunteers collect 4.3 tons of trash at annual Lake Tahoe beach cleanup, KUNR, July 10, 2023
‘Don’t go there’: The towering Tahoe landmark mired in decades of controversy, SFGATE, July 15, 2023
Work along Tahoe powerlines will continue, Tahoe Daily Tribune, July 24, 2023
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.
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.