Tahoe Boat Inspections Move Back to Launch Ramps for Fall & Winter
On October 1, Tahoe boat inspections will move to select launch ramps and winter hours will begin. Tahoe RCD inspectors will be performing inspections and decontaminations at Cave Rock and Lake Forest boat launches from 6am to 4pm seven days a week, and inspections only (no decontaminations) are available at Sand Harbor, Thursday through Monday from 6am to 2pm.
Carpool to Kirkwood and Help Keep Tahoe Cool!
Who said ski resorts don’t care.
Most of the Lake Tahoe ski resorts have launched ride sharing programs to reduce emissions including Kirkwood’s K-Pool.
Shopping green, recycling and holiday green actions
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the average American throws away 25% more ‘stuff’ between Thanksgiving and the New Year! This article intends to help you “go green” this holiday season with creative gift giving ideas, information on local recycling opportunities, holiday trash and recycling services changes and how to recycle your Christmas tree after the holiday season ends.
Aquatic Invasive Species Forum, Nov 16 at 5pm Kings Beach
We are so spoiled. We have NO ticks, fleas, poison oak, poisonous snakes, thorns, and no Quagga and Zebra mussels – yet.
These nasty mussels are a few of the destructive Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) that threaten to ruin the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe, and our surrounding lakes and streams. AIS can also ruin our favorite boating and fishing pastimes, our gear and economy. Thanks to the watercraft inspections and education efforts implemented by the TRPA, Tahoe RCD, USFS, and other agencies and community folks we’ve been able to ward off the mussels, and fight the further spread of existing AIS. But everyone must do more.
Learn how you can help and how to become a Tahoe Keeper at a free public forum on November 16th in Kings Beach. read more →
TRPA Announces Winners of Lake Spirit Awards
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency announced the winners of the Lake Spirit Awards honoring “real people making real progress protecting Lake Tahoe” at their first-ever Community Appreciation Day event held on September 29 at TRPA’s office.
Two winners (one from the North Shore and one from the South) were honored for going above and beyond the call of duty to protect the beauty and clarity of Lake Tahoe and the Basin environment. “They represent the many unsung heroes tirelessly working to protect this special place,” explained TRPA Executive Director, Joanne Marchetta, in announcing the awards. read more →
Annual Keep Sierra Clean Day Oct 9
Sierra-at-Tahoe’s 2nd annual Keep Sierra Clean day will take place October 9, 2011 from 10am to 3pm and has set a target of collecting more than 2,000 lbs of trash.
In addition to doing good for the local environment, this annual South Lake Tahoe event builds momentum heading into winter for those most loyal to Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, including team riders Jamie and Nora Anderson.
Take the Green Sierra Pledge and help Plant Trees
Environmentally conscious skiers and snowboarders can join Project: Green Sierra to become part of the solution, sponsored by Sierra-at-Tahoe.
Tahoe Keepers launch Voluntary Paddle and Kayak Inspections
Protect your favorite place. Protect your favorite pastime.
Paddlers all over are joining the Tahoe Keepers stewardship community to help protect Lake Tahoe from aquatic invasive species that can ruin our pristine waters and their gear.
A new voluntary online training program will teach you how to guard against inadvertently transporting aquatic invasive species to water bodies within the Lake Tahoe Basin by self-inspecting and decontaminating your boats and gear after each use. It’s easy. It’s free. And, it matters. read more →
Sustainable Fun at TAHOE EXPO Sept 10
Tahoe Expo is a one day outdoor exposition of family fun and adventure that showcases progress in sustainability and geotourism where it comes naturally – Lake Tahoe.
The Tahoe Expo will highlight attractions, entertainment and mobility that expands knowledge of, and a connection with land, water, wildlife, culture, art and the local business community. This is Lake Tahoe Geotourism at its best.
The fun begins Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 9am, and continues with a party from 3pm to 8pm at Sand Harbor.
Coastal Cleanup Day at Lake Tahoe Sept 17
While we all do our part every day, it’s fun to tap into the energy of the biggest CleanUP day of the year with the entire world.
Volunteers are needed to help keep our waterways clean and blue by participating in the 27th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day at Lake Tahoe on Saturday, September 17, 2011.
What a great excuse to go to the beach! read more →
Free Green Thumb Wednesdays at LTCC Demonstration Garden
Learn how to create a sustainable native landscape, and lots of gardening topics from fire-wise landscaping to attracting wildlife to working with compost presented by local experts at the free Green Thumb Wednesdays this summer at the Lake Tahoe Community College Demonstration Garden in South Lake Tahoe.
The free conservation gardening demonstrations are held from 5:30-6:45 pm each week, and are sponsored by the Tahoe Resource Conservation District.
Free E-Waste Recycle at South Lake Tahoe Middle School
Businesses and individuals are invited to recycle specific electronics at the South Lake Tahoe Middle School on Saturday and Sunday, August 13-14, 2011 between 9am and 3pm.
It’s free for California residents in South Lake Tahoe. Check the list first.
Free Transportation in North Shore with connections to South Shore
To cut down traffic and pollution this summer, North Shore has FREE transportation. The Emerald Bay Connection (TART Connects to BlueGo in Tahoma) daily (with FREE transfers) through September 5th – then week-ends until October 2nd. Way to go Tahoe!
(This isn’t the actual bus, but you feel like a super hero riding it.) Bike rides are installed on many buses so you can continue your ride with pedal power.
Free Green Thumb Gardening Presentations
Join UC Davis, Tahoe Resource Conservation District and our local master gardeners for free conservation landscaping presentations this summer at demonstration gardens in Tahoe City, Lake Tahoe Community College and Incline Village.
Event presentations include backyard composting, vegetable gardening, native plant gardening, and more throughout the summer.
Keep Tahoe Blue
The League to Save Lake Tahoe is dedicated to protecting, restoring, and advocating for the ecosystem health and scenic beauty of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
The organization focuses on water quality and its clarity for the preservation of a pristine Lake for future generations.
Leave No Trace Hike in Tahoe City July 6
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association, the Leave No Trace Center for Ethics, and Tahoe Mountain Sports is teaming up for a fun and interactive evening: Leave No Trace Family Hike on Wednesday, July 6th from 4 – 6pm from the Tahoe City North Trailhead. (Directions to the trailhead will be provided upon registration for the hike).
Markleeville Creek Day September 17
The Alpine Watershed Group is holding its 10th annual Markleeville Creek Day on Saturday, September 17, 2011.
The fun takes place at the Alpine County Library, where you’ll learn about the watershed and restoration activities.
Truckee Trail Updates 24/7
This is so cool.
The Truckee Trails Foundation website provides updates on the mountain bike trail, roads and bikeway conditions in North Shore and Truckee.
Each trail update includes an open status, trail type, difficulty, directions to the trail head, and a description of the trail – written by a local who knows the trail.
And, there’s even a Google Map for each dirt trail so you can pinpoint your ride. Sweet!
Lake Tahoe’s Underwater, a disturbing new world
The underwater world of Lake Tahoe is disturbingly full of strange, new life. And it’s not good news according to Alpengroup’s founder Phil Caterino.
But there is a solution!
Everyone can help by inspecting and decontaminating their watercraft, gear and fishing gear before you enter any waters in the Lake Tahoe basin. We’re all in this boat together.
Angora Community Garden Clean up Day June 2
A garden workday will take place at the Angora Community Garden, aka Evens Family Garden at 1383 Mount Olympia Circle on June 2nd from 10am to 1pm.
Join your neighbors for some spring cleaning at your local demonstration garden, showcasing BMPs, defensible space, water conservation and native plants.
The Free Bird
You can only see it if you ride or walk the South Lake Tahoe bike path that runs along Barton Meadows and the Upper Truckee Marsh behind Meeks Lumber.
The Free Bird Mural was designed by the coffee shop owners along with input by some local high school and home school kids who also helped to paint it. The paint was donated by Meeks Lumber next door, and use of scissor lift was donated by Ahern.
11th Annual Snapshot Days May 13-14
The 11th Annual Snapshot Day(s) is a water quality monitoring event for citizens who care about the Lake Tahoe and Truckee River Watershed.
That means all of us – those who live here and our beloved visitors.
Monitoring teams will take a snapshot of one moment in time of the Tahoe Basin and the Truckee River on Friday and Saturday, May 13 and 14, from 9am to noon.
Volunteers are needed to help out. read more →
Truckee Home and Building Show May 28-29
For almost two decades, the Truckee Home and Building Show has been opening its doors on Memorial Day Weekend to homeowners, vacation property owners and building professionals.
Check out all the buzz May28 and 29, 2011. read more →
Truckee Watercraft Inspections prevent Aquatic Invaders
The Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) will once again manage the Truckee Area Watercraft Inspection Program and boater education on aquatic invasive species (AIS) that take place at Donner Lake and Boca, Prosser, and Stampede reservoirs from April 30 through September 30. Thank you for keeping AIS out of our watershed.
The Beavers of the Truckee River
Have you seen more of these rodents recently?
At East Cove in South Lake Tahoe there have been several sightings of beaver walking along the trail (yes, walking) and swimming in the Tahoe Keys.
And they’re big – like 60 lbs – especially one we’ve named Norman who’s been busy getting his lodge ready.
Learn How to Prevent Aquatic Invasive Species April 5
The Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Coordination Committee will host a public forum on April 5th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the US Forest Service Building located at 35 College Drive in South Lake Tahoe, CA.
Brief presentations will focus on aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention and control projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin, including the Tahoe Watercraft Inspection Program, invasive aquatic plant and Asian clam control efforts, and non-native fish removal. The evening will conclude with a question and answer period. Light refreshments will be served.
(Almost) Post-Winter Garden Revival April 23
After the apocalyptic ravages of this epic 2011 Lake Tahoe winter (yes!), rouge plow drivers, January drought and voracious mammals, there’s much that can be done to salvage wrecked plants.
Learn how at the (Almost) Post-Winter Garden Revival class on April 23 at the Villager Nursery in Truckee.
South Lake Tahoe Earth Day April 16
Learn about ways to save our planet, enjoy kid’s activities and local music and art at the South Lake Tahoe Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 16th from 10am to 5pm at the Bijou Community Park.
Free admission.
Tahoe Truckee Earth Day April 23
Giant steps towards smaller footprints. Eco-gypsy Dr. Solar and an Envirolution Trashion show are just a few of the events featured at the Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 23, at the Village at Squaw Valley.
To reduce your footprint, take TART – it’s free – or ride your bike. read more →
Explore Tahoe: An Urban Trailhead
To help locals and visitors experience Lake Tahoe’s cultural heritage, wildlife and geology with minimal intrusion on the environment, a new education-transportation center has been built.
Explore Tahoe: An Urban Trailhead emphasizes the importance of protecting Lake Tahoe’s natural resources by using the Internet to plan excursions and choosing mass transit while in the basin.
Water-Wise Conservation Garden in Truckee
Named in honor of longtime Truckee resident and dedicated Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD) board member Patricia S. Sutton, the conservation demonstration garden showcases ways to achieve beautiful landscaping in a high Sierra climate, while saving precious water and money.
Leave No Trace March 10-13
It’s a LEAVE sNOw TRACE extravaganza as the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics partners with Tahoe Mountain Sports and the Tahoe Rim Trail Association for a whole weekend of events, March 10-13, 2011.
Eco-Tips by Tahoe Skiers
As skiers living in Tahoe, we understand the importance of doing our part to help reduce global warming to protect our environment, recreation and livelihoods.
Following are some useful tips by local skiers featured in Adventure Film Works’ ski films who practice what they preach.
SkiGreen Tags Keep Tahoe Cool
Living in Tahoe really puts global warming in your face.
We get it.
Less snow means shorter ski seasons, less wildflowers, less kayaking, and a lower lake level.
While we all do our part daily to conserve water, buy local, recycle and re-use, did you know you can do more?
Now we can all help, thanks to our local ski resorts.
Recyle your old Tires for FREE until June 2011
Keep Tahoe Clean.
Recycle your used tires at the Eastern Regional Landfill in Truckee on the first and third Saturdays through June 2011.
Fall Paddlefest on the Lake Tahoe Water Trail Saturday, October 9
Learn about Lake Tahoe’s natural habitat, geology, cultural heritage and how to prevent your kayak, or any watercraft, from bringing invasive species like the pesky Quagga Mussell into Lake Tahoe as you glide along the Lake Tahoe Water Trail during Fall Paddlefest on Saturday, October 9th.
Paddlers will venture from the Historic Zephyr Cove Lodge on the east shore with researchers at the forefront of protecting Lake Tahoe from aquatic invasive species.
Superstar Sustainable Investing Panel to Speak Sept 30
Squaw Valley Institute and the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation are presenting a forum on sustainable investing with a distinguished panel of experts to discuss the topic on September 30, 2010 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Non-Profit Center in Incline Village, Nevada.
TAPPED free movie showing Aug 3 and 21
Is access to clean drinking water a basic human right or a commodity that should be bought and sold like any other article of commerce?
TAPPED, an award winning documentary on the issues surrounding bottled water versus tap water, will have a free screening August 3 and August 21 in North Lake Tahoe. read more →
Furlough Your Car Fridays July 2-September 3
Furlough Your Car Fridays begin Friday, July 2 and continue each Friday through September 3, 2010.
Residents of South Lake Tahoe are encouraged to reduce their Vehicle Miles Traveled by carpooling, telecommuting, biking or using alternative transportation to get to and from work and around town.
Keep Tahoe Mussel Free with Boat Inspections
It’s our duty to take care of Lake Tahoe. We are one of the only remaining lakes in the western states that has avoided the mass destruction caused by these two pesky mussels – the quagga and zebra mussels.
Watercraft are the largest vectors for spreading Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) into new waterways. Inspections are an essential part of preventing this inadvertent transport of alien species into our pristine waters of Lake Tahoe.
Alternative Energy Home by Ben Solomon at Sierra Nevada College August 31
Learn how to develop your own net energy producing, alternative energy home at a presentation by Ben Solomon, Professor of Alternative Energy at Sierra Nevada College on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 6pm.
The program consists of images and description of the development of the Alternative Energy Program at SNC from 1971 to the present, and the conversion of the Solomon house from a “tract” house to a net energy producer.
Meyers Farmers Market Sundays 2pm – 7pm
Finally.
The little hamlet in South Lake Tahoe known as Meyers – originally known as Tahoe Paradise – is holding a Farmers Market on Sunday evenings from 2pm to 7pm until September 12. 2010.
Solar Energy-Sense or Non-Cent$? July 7
It seems like a no brainer. Solar energy is abundant and good for us. But at what cost?
Join the interactive forum “Solar Energy – Sense or Non-Cent$?” at Resort at Squaw Creek on July 7 at 7:00pm where local experts Bob Moore, Art King and Donald Priest will address how solar energy relates to energy independence and security, public policy, environmental considerations and costs compared to other energy sources. It’s all part of the Squaw Valley Institute’s new “think tank” exploratory endeavor series.
Wildfire Awareness in the Garden July 8
Learn how to protect your home against wildfire, integrate BMPs with defensible space, and create a fire-safe landscape at the free Wildfire Awareness event at the North Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden in Incline Village on July 8 from 4pm to 6pm.
Nifty 50 Trolley connects North and South Shores
Ride the bus between North Shore and South Shore all summer.
The Nifty 50 Trolley based in South Lake Tahoe will offer service to Tahoma on the west shore where you can board the TART (Tahoe Area Regional Transit) bus and travel on to Tahoe City, Truckee, Crystal Bay, Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista and Incline Village.
11th Annual Children’s Environmental Science Day July 10 in Tahoe City
The grand opening of the new Eriksson Education Center is kicking off with Children’s Environmental Science Day on Saturday, July 10, 2010 from 1-4 pm.
This free community event for children (ages 6+) and their families includes hands-on science activities designed to create an awareness of the unique ecology of Lake Tahoe.
Free Defensible Space Drop-off sites July 10 in North Lake Tahoe
The North Tahoe Fire District is offering free defensible space or “green waste” drop-off sites for residents and property owners.
Bring your natural, woody yard waste to one of the following three locations on Saturday, June 12, 2010 from 7:30am to 2:00pm.
North Tahoe Regional Park in Tahoe Vista, Tahoe Cross Country, at 925 Country Club Drive in Tahoe City or Homewood South Lodge (Tahoe Ski Bowl) on the West Shore. read more →
Plantable Wildflower Gift Cards and Paper
This is such a great idea.
Not only can you buy recycled decorative paper to make your own gift cards at Events Ink in South Lake Tahoe, you can get it with wildflower seeds in it.
Thunderbird Lodge Gardeners Club
Ever wonder how the beautiful gardens at the Thunderbird Lodge on east shore are maintained?
Through volunteer gardeners, of course! Many of them are master gardeners who belong to the Thunderbird Lodge Gardeners Club.
Input needed on proposed Tahoe Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation by July 26
Want more bicycling and pedestrian-friendly trails throughout Lake Tahoe?
Sounds like a no brainer, but don’t sit just there. After your bike ride and walk, read this document and give your input.
The Draft 2010 Lake Tahoe Region Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (BPP) is now available by clicking here. The 45-day public comment period ends Monday, July 26, 2010. This is important for Tahoe bike culture and healthy lifestyles. Thank you!
