Our Power to Keep Tahoe Blue |
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During the most frightening days of the Caldor Fire, it was easy to feel powerless – like there was nothing you could do to protect the places in Tahoe that hold special memories for you. Thankfully, firefighters are now circling in on full containment of the Caldor. Our work to Keep Tahoe Blue was crucial to decreasing the fire’s impacts, but much more must be done to prepare for the next catastrophic wildfire. We’re taking action, and you can too.
Since the fire started, we’ve been asked countless times: how can we help? What can we do to heal Tahoe’s natural environment and shake off that feeling of powerlessness?
You can take action. Volunteer at one of the League’s restoration events. Become a #TahoeBlueGooder and adopt Lake-friendly habits. Give to the League.
In this e-newsletter, you’ll see a few examples of how your contributions, whether $20 or $2,000, are multiplied into meaningful actions for Lake Tahoe – like tens of millions in public funding for forest management and fire prevention, or a rapid response scientific study on the impacts from wildfire smoke and ash.
The Lake depends on your generosity. Join us, and together we will Keep Tahoe Blue.
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Lessons from the Caldor Fire |
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Throughout this ordeal, the League has made it our focus to learn what we can, so Tahoe can be ready for the next, inevitable wildfire. We provided funding to scientists from University of Nevada Reno, U.C. Davis and the Desert Research Institute to investigate how wildfire smoke and ash impact the Lake, in both the short and long term. This research kicked off even before flames reached the Basin. We look forward to sharing those lessons in the coming months. Read more about the study here and here.
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The Caldor Fire also proved the importance of forest fuels management, prescribed fire, the creation of defensible space around structures, and home hardening techniques to combat wildfire. These actions by land managers and property owners helped spare Tahoe, and they improve our odds of withstanding all wildfires. Check out these stories to understand how. |
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Our team at the League sincerely hopes you’ve made it safely through the last two months. We feel deeply for those who experienced loss from the fire. |
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Millions in Funding to Reduce Wildfire Risk |
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California’s Governor recently signed into law a funding package that provides $36 million to reduce Tahoe’s wildfire risk and build the ecosystem’s resilience to climate change. The League’s direct advocacy, as part of the lobbying group called the California Tahoe Alliance, helped push for and secure those crucial funds to protect and prepare Tahoe. Read more about it here.
At the federal level, U.S. Dept. of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland recently signed legislation that authorizes nearly $60 million in new funding for forest health and fire protection projects at Lake Tahoe. The funds come from the sale of federal lands around Las Vegas through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA). Read the press release.
Countless meetings, letters, and conversations with legislators may not sound like environmental preservation, but that advocacy work is a crucial ingredient to Keep Tahoe Blue.
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Volunteers restored two sites for Tahoe Forest Stewardship Day on October 2. |
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Tahoe Forest Stewardship Days
For the last 24 years, community members have pulled on their boots and gloves, and got their hands dirty restoring Tahoe’s marshes, meadows, streams and forests for Tahoe Forest Stewardship Days (TFSD). At our event earlier this month, more than 65 volunteers helped heal and prepare two south shore sites for the flush of stormwater pollution that’s coming with winter storms. When Tahoe’s ecosystem is functioning, it serves as a natural pollution filter to remove fine sediment particles from water before they reach Lake Tahoe and harm its clarity.
Check out the videos above to see our Tahoe Blue-Gooder family in action at Johnson Meadow and the Osgood Retention Basin. Thanks to the Tahoe Resource Conservation District and the City of South Lake Tahoe for partnering in this event.
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Upcoming Opportunities
On October 19 and November 4, join our Pipe Keepers volunteers to help prepare stormwater infrastructure for upcoming winter rain and snow. These "runoff restoration" events are the urban counterpart to TFSD, and just as important for protecting Tahoe’s blue hue from nasty runoff. Sign up for October 19 and November 4.
The League is also busy planning ecosystem restoration projects with the U.S. Forest Service and Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) for the areas damaged during the Caldor Fire. We’d love you to join our “restoration strike teams” to help bring back damaged trails, build new ones, and give the Tahoe environment a big jump-start toward recovery. Keep your eyes on our events page for those TBA dates.
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In Search of Invasive Species |
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Amidst all the commotion this summer, our Eyes on the Lake program managed to survey eight lakes and ponds in Truckee for aquatic invasive species (AIS). The Tahoe-Truckee region’s waterways, Lake Tahoe included, are all connected by paddlers, anglers and adventurers who like to have fun in the water – and potentially transport AIS. Our surveys reveal where AIS are present, so we can prevent them from spreading and infecting other waterbodies, including Big Blue. We're happy to report that our work turned up just a few isolated pockets of AIS, which will be tackled by land managers. Not bad at all!
The summer surveys were made possible by a grant from the Martis Fund, a collaborative project of Martis Camp landowners, DMB/Highlands Group (the developers of Martis Camp), Mountain Area Preservation (MAP), and Sierra Watch.
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If you've been watching the news, it was hard to miss this story: earlier this week, the water level in Lake Tahoe dropped below its natural rim, meaning water will stop flowing out of the Lake's only outlet and down the Truckee River.
This happens periodically at Tahoe; the last time it was this low was 2016. The Lake is resilient, and has shown it can bounce back and stay blue. But, the longer it stays below the rim due to the impacts of climate change, the bigger our cause for concern – for Tahoe’s shoreline, waters and the health of its unique ecosystem.
We’re working to Keep Tahoe Blue in the face of a changing climate by restoring the natural functions of Tahoe’s ecosystem through initiatives like Tahoe Forest Stewardship Day and projects like the 59,000-acre Lake Tahoe West Restoration Partnership.
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Lake Tahoe has fallen alarmingly low – Here's what the impact could be
October 12 | San Francisco Chronicle
Tahoe's water level periodically falls low enough to stop flowing down the Truckee River. This year, with the obvious effects of climate change all around, a low Lake is drawing more attention.
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Tribune tests the success of TART Connect
October 9 | Tahoe Daily Tribune
An on-demand shuttle service on Tahoe's north shore has been embraced by residents and visitors. The League is helping fund its fall service to keep the momentum rolling. A reporter and League team members gave it a test run and found it to be a fun, Lake-friendly travel option.
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Face the State:
Lake Tahoe Post-Caldor Fire
October 1 | KTVN News 2
In this TV news show, the League's Jesse Patterson shares about the after-effects of the Caldor Fire for a Reno audience.
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OPINION: Our chance to save Lake Tahoe
October 1 | Tahoe Daily Tribune
By Darcie Goodman Collins, League CEO
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Caldor fire smoke and ash are clouding Lake Tahoe’s famously clear water
September 3 | LA Times
With flames threatening Tahoe, the League helped kick off a scientific study into the effects of wildfire smoke and ash on the Lake. The study will show if any impacts will linger after an initial drop in clarity.
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Pipe Keepers:
Runoff Restoration Event
10am - noon | Tuesday, October 19
TBA, South Lake Tahoe
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Help prepare South Lake Tahoe's stormwater systems for the wet season! We'll assist with important infrastructure maintenance work, ensuring polluted stormwater runoff doesn't enter Lake Tahoe and cause clarity loss.
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Johnson Meadow Restoration: Informational Webinar
5 - 6pm | Wednesday, October 20
Zoom
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At this informational webinar, the Tahoe Resource Conservation District will discuss progress made to date, restoration alternatives and designs, and how you can comment and be involved in restoring Johnson Meadow.
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Cascade to Meeks Trail Study: Public Webinar
5:30pm - 6:30pm | Monday, October 25
Zoom
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Tune in to hear about planning alternatives for the extension of the West Shore Trail from Cascade to Meeks Bay. The multi-use trail is part of a plan to improve recreation and alleviate congestion in this busy part of the Basin.
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Pipe Keepers:
Runoff Restoration Event
1pm - 3pm | Thursday, November 4
TBA, South Lake Tahoe
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Help prepare South Lake Tahoe's stormwater systems for the wet season! We'll assist with important infrastructure maintenance work, ensuring polluted stormwater runoff doesn't enter Lake Tahoe and cause clarity loss.
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You’re reading this e-newsletter because Lake Tahoe is important to you. Take part in protecting it by supporting the League’s Lake-saving work. When you donate, you enable us to help Tahoe prepare for the next natural disaster. Please contribute to Keep Tahoe Blue today. |
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