August 2021 Conservancy Newsletter
May is National Wildfire Awareness Month, as well the unofficial start of the summer recreation season at Tahoe. Read on for new updates on Conservancy staff and crews, wildfire awareness, a regional destination stewardship plan, and more.
-California Tahoe Conservancy
Video: How Demolishing a Building Helps Lake Tahoe
Earlier this spring, the Conservancy tore down a former medical building on one of its South Lake Tahoe properties. Watch our latest video to see how Conservancy acquisitions like this help reclaim environmentally sensitive land and protect Lake Tahoe’s water quality.
Wildfire Awareness at Lake Tahoe
May is National Wildfire Awareness Month, but Tahoe partners will keep a drumbeat of public outreach going from May through October. As California and Nevada enter a third year of drought, the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team is leveling up the region’s preparedness efforts by implementing the Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Campaign. Learn more at TahoeLivingWithFire.com.
Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan
Taking Care of Tahoe
Lake Tahoe’s communities and economy are rooted in recreation and tourism, touching the lives of all who work, live, and play here. The region is coming together to create a shared destination stewardship plan that will balance the needs of the environment, businesses, visitors, and local communities. This new shared strategy will inspire all to take care of Tahoe. You can engage in the process and be heard – stay tuned for upcoming virtual workshops. Visit StewarshipTahoe.org to sign up to get updates and workshop invites and to stay involved.
Conservancy Recreation and Public Access Updates
Van Sickle Bi-State Park and the Conservancy’s Tahoe Pines property in Meyers have reopened to vehicles.
The annual seasonal dog closure has begun at the Upper Truckee Marsh. From May 1 through July 31, dogs may not enter sensitive habitat at the Marsh. The closure protects birds and other wildlife during the breeding season.
Conservancy-owned beaches at Lake Tahoe remain open year-round. Visit TahoePublicBeaches.org to find the details you need to plan your visit to a Conservancy beach or any other public beach at Lake Tahoe.
Field Crews Kick off the Season
The Conservancy is excited to continue partnering with Tahoe Resource Conservation District to field this year’s forestry, land management, and restoration crews. These seasonal crew members help maintain and restore Conservancy lands, reducing wildfire risk and protecting Lake Tahoe.
Conservancy Staff Updates
New Employees
Ryan Glazner
Forestry Aide
Ryan Glazner joined the Conservancy as a seasonal Forestry Aide in May. He works on forest health and fuel hazard reduction projects on Conservancy lands, primarily identifying project boundaries and marking trees for removal. Ryan previously worked as a firefighter with the USDA Forest Service in the Tahoe National Forest and with CAL FIRE Amador-Eldorado Unit. He earned a degree in environmental sustainability from San Diego State University.
Jadalyn Hayworth
Forestry Aide
Jadalyn Hayworth joined the Conservancy as a seasonal Forestry Aide in May. She works on forest health and fuel hazard reduction projects on Conservancy lands, primarily identifying project boundaries and marking trees for removal. She earned an associate degree in geology from Lake Tahoe Community College, a bachelor’s degree in ecosystem management and forestry from the University of California, Berkeley, where she was a member of the Xi Sigma Pi national forestry honors society.
Tallon Sandoval
Office Administrator
Tallon Sandoval joined the Conservancy as its Office Administrator in April. In addition to welcoming visitors at the Conservancy’s front desk, Tallon supports Conservancy staff in business services and building management activities, including managing records, building safety, preparing materials for meetings and events, and managing the Conservancy’s fleet of vehicles and office supplies. Tallon has a bachelor’s degree in government and Hispanic studies from Dartmouth College, and earned his master’s degree in international affairs from the University of California, San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy.
Kyle Schnapp
Forestry Aide
Kyle Schnapp has returned to the Conservancy for his second year as a seasonal Forestry Aide in May. He works on forest health and fuel hazard reduction projects on Conservancy lands, primarily identifying project boundaries and marking trees for removal. He spent the winter working at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. Kyle previously worked for the Nevada Department of Agriculture conducting insect surveys and on a forestry crew for the Great Basin Institute. He earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Nevada, Reno, with a specialization in ecological conservation and restoration.
Casey Strong
Staff Attorney
Casey Strong joined the Conservancy as a Staff Attorney in April. Working with the rest of the Conservancy legal team, Casey supports staff and programs and addresses environmental, land use, contract, public law, and other legal issues facing the Conservancy. Before joining the Conservancy, Casey represented California cities and other local public agencies on a wide variety of land use, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), housing, and public law matters. She also had served as a clerk for Magistrate Judge Valerie Cooke for the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, in Reno. Casey received her law degree from the University of Colorado Law School and her undergraduate degree from Tufts University. Prior to law school, she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, led trail crews with the Student Conservation Association, and worked for the City of San Francisco’s Department of the Environment.
Sarah Traiman
Forestry Aide
Sarah Traiman joined the Conservancy as a seasonal Forestry Aide in May. She works on forest health and fuel hazard reduction projects on Conservancy lands, primarily identifying project boundaries and marking trees for removal. Sara’s background includes working with the USDA Forest Service and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. She has lived in the Lake Tahoe Basin for more than 15 years.
Upcoming California Tahoe Conservancy Board Meetings
The California Tahoe Conservancy Board will meet on June 16, 2021. An agenda will be available on the Conservancy website ten days prior to the meeting.
Lake Tahoe in the News
Tahoe Conservancy demolishes Urgent Care – Sierra Sun, April 22, 2022
Beyond the clarity: Celebrating unique biology beneath Tahoe’s waters (Opinion) – Tahoe Daily Tribune, April 29, 2022
Public workshops scheduled for new Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan – Sierra Sun, May 3, 2022
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.