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advocate | engage | create
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Watching the Seasons Change |
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Before your latest Tahoe summer memories lose their luster, take a moment to think back on how the Lake, with its shimmering blue waters and soaring peaks, was a refuge for you over the recent months.
These days, protecting special places like Tahoe is more important than ever. While the world is changing, the League's commitment to protect Lake Tahoe is not. Please consider closing out the summer by donating to preserve and protect the lake you love - your sanctuary in tough times.
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A Look Back at the Summer of 2020 |
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Fall is coming quickly to Tahoe. Before it arrives, join us for a quick look back at the unique summer of 2020, including all its trials and triumphs. |
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Early in spring, the pandemic took hold and the world reacted. As people sheltered in place and businesses scaled back, it felt like the clock stopped ticking. But with the coming of June, travel restrictions loosened, Tahoe boating opened up and the Lake came to life. Summer was underway.
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For the League, we were thrilled to restart in-person events with added layers of safety and social distancing precautions. Our volunteers were certainly excited too.
We kicked off by celebrating the 20th anniversary of Snapshot Day. Our citizen scientist volunteers monitored water quality across the South Shore, preserving a two-decade tradition.
June also brought the release of the 2019 Lake Tahoe Clarity Report from UC Davis. Average annual lake clarity has varied widely in recent years - from the worst recorded clarity in history of 60 feet in 2017, to 70.9 feet in 2018, and 62.7 feet in 2019. (The goal remains 100 feet average clarity.) These variations show the deep impact that climate change is having on the Tahoe environment.
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Healthy and functioning ecosystems help make Tahoe resilient to the effects of the climate crisis. Fortunately, several projects are underway or in the planning stages that will advance restoration of Tahoe's natural environment. These include the Lake Tahoe West Restoration Project, as well as work at Meeks Bay and the Upper Truckee Marsh. The League supports important restoration work.
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In July, visitors flocked to Tahoe, making it feel like any other summer. Though it was far from normal. Very quickly, litter become an unavoidable problem. Land managers lacked the resources and staff to keep up with the trash, which the pandemic likely made worse as single-use products and to-go food containers became more prevalent.
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The League and our volunteers saw this first hand at our annual July 5th cleanup, where plastic trash and food waste were among the most-collected litter items.
If plastic trash isn't removed, it inevitably makes its way into the Lake. Recent research has shown that microplastic pollution is present in Tahoe's waters.
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To combat Tahoe's trash problem, the League empowered the community to take action by expanding our Tahoe Blue Crew program.
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In this program, passionate volunteers receive the training and supplies to adopt areas of Tahoe and protect them from pollution of all kinds. Blue Crews are helping relieve some of the stress placed on land managers by cleaning up public lands in Tahoe through partnerships, including one with the US Forest Service. To date, more than 60 Crews, one-third from outside the Tahoe Basin, are actively protecting their adopted areas of Tahoe.
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In August, a series of virtual events were added to an already busy calendar. For the past 50 years, the first weekend of August marks the League's largest annual fundraising event, the Benefit Fashion Show. This year we offered the event virtually, which proved to be a resounding success. Thanks to our sponsors and supporters who made it possible, including our long-time partners Saks Fifth Avenue and Oscar de la Renta.
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Our team was honored to play a role in the 24th annual (and first virtual) Lake Tahoe Summit in August, alongside other Tahoe organizations. As part of the program, we highlighted Tahoe's frontline workers whose selfless efforts have helped keep the community healthy and open, building a "Resilient Tahoe" - the theme of this year's Summit.
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This summer also brought much-needed attention to one of the largest threats facing Lake Tahoe - aquatic invasive weeds. A test aimed at identifying long term solutions to the aquatic weed problem in the Tahoe Keys, ground zero for the infestation in Lake Tahoe, is currently moving through a thorough environmental review process. Without immediate action, aquatic weeds will spread further into the Lake, endangering its famously clear waters.
Over the past month, California and Nevada have been stricken by devastating wildfires. Our hearts go out to all those affected, including the first responders who put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe.
Thank you to everyone whose effort, support and generosity helped protect our Jewel of the Sierra during this summer that has been like no other.
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- Together, we Keep Tahoe Blue - |
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Join our team of experts for a conversation about the state of Lake Tahoe.
We invite you to join us for any of three virtual presentations in early October. The League's leaders will discuss Lake Tahoe's health and clarity, threats facing the Lake, and solutions our team is driving to Keep Tahoe Blue.
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ATTEND ANY VIRTUAL PRESENTATION |
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63rd Annual Meeting - October 20
RSVP by October 16
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Attendance requires current membership status. If you would like to renew your membership, please make a gift today.
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