Restore Johnson Meadow. Protect Lake Tahoe.
Join Keep Tahoe Blue and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District for a hands-on restoration project in the heart of Lake Tahoe’s south shore. This is a fun, hands‑on restoration event is open to volunteers of all ages and skill levels. Come prepared to get a little dirty and help restore Johnson Meadow to a healthier, more resilient stream ecosystem that protects Lake Tahoe’s famous clarity.
Volunteers will stabilize the streambanks of the Upper Truckee River and restore vital meadow habitat alongside restoration professionals and fellow Tahoe stewards. No experience required — tools, training, and lunch provided.
What We’ll Be Doing
Volunteers will choose a project during check-in.
1. Litter Cleanup – Easy (5 – 10 people)
Pick up litter and properly dispose of.
2. Conifer Removal – Medium (4 – 8 people)
Cut or lop conifers encroaching on the floodplain or wetland to allow wetter species to grow. Lop and scatter.
3. Invasive Weed Removal – Medium (10 – 15 people)
Use spade shovels or trowels to remove invasive plants and root systems. Target species include: Woolly Mullein, Bull Thistle, Goats Beard, Prickly Lettuce, & Klamath weed.
4. Willow Stakes & Fascines – Hard (20 – 30 people)
Use loppers to process willow into brush for willow fascines. Brush should be willow pieces less than 1” in diameter with leaves still attached. Once willow is processed, create bundles that are 12” in diameter and 3-4 feet long, shaped like logs, bundle together with twine. Place in stream per direction to stabilize bare banks. Secure to at least 3 willow stakes, 18” long and pounded through fascine and into the stream bank. Use more twine as needed to secure.
Parking location: There is limited parking on Winnemucca Ave. Please avoid parking directly in front of private homes. There is additional free parking in the Barton Hospital parking garage. Carpooling or biking is always encouraged.
Meeting location: The end of Winnemucca Ave. in South Lake Tahoe, CA.
Location: Johnson Meadow
Sign up:
- Sign up here. You will receive a confirmation from no-reply@galaxydigital.com.
- If you do not pre-register, you must complete a volunteer waiver onsite during event check-in.
- Volunteers under 18 – must create a volunteer account and provide a guardian’s email to complete the waiver online.
- Volunteers under 13 – must provide a guardian’s email to create a volunteer account and complete the waiver online.
Timeline:
- 9 am – 12 pm – Volunteers will work on their chosen restoration project.
- Volunteers will choose a project at check-in.
- Projects will range from easy to more difficult.
- 12 – 1 pm – Lunch for volunteers and partners. Everyone will come back together to celebrate all the hard work completed! The celebration will include:
- Lunch location: The Hangar (2401 Lake Tahoe Blvd suite b, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150)
- Giveaways
What to bring: Sturdy boots/closed-toed shoes (tall waterproof boots or waders if you have them), long pants that can get dirty, sunglasses, work gloves (if you have them), a full reusable water bottle, and any special snacks you may want.
We provide: Project equipment, gloves and other safety gear, training, drinks, snacks, lunch and giveaways.
Partners: Tahoe RCD