Restore a Stream. Protect Lake Tahoe.

Join Keep Tahoe Blue for a hands-on restoration project at Marlette Creek, near Thunderbird Lodge on Lake Tahoe’s east shore. This Tahoe Forest Stewardship Day event brings the community together to restore the forests, streams, and watershed that protect Lake Tahoe’s famous clarity.

The site was restored in fall 2025 to improve water quality, stream function, and habitat for fish and wildlife. After winter in the Sierra, it now needs additional planting and care to help the restoration succeed.

Volunteers will plant native vegetation and stabilize streambanks alongside restoration professionals and fellow Tahoe stewards. No experience required — tools, training, and lunch provided.

What We’ll Be Doing

Projects will focus on restoring the Marlette Creek stream corridor and supporting long-term ecosystem health. Activities will include:

1. Litter Removal – Easy (10 people)

Pick up litter and dispose of.

2. Conifer Removal – Medium (10 people)

Cut or lop conifers encroaching on the floodplain or wetland to allow wetter species to grow. Cut off all branches and deliver to debris structures or scatter in forest.  

3. Aspen Planting – Medium (15 people)

For aspen planting, work in teams of 2, one with a spade and one carrying potted aspen. Dig hole at least 1” deeper than depth of pot, remove aspen from pot and plant. We will be planting 100 aspen to create more creek shading and additional habitat to willow.  

 4. Willow Fascines and Leaf Litter Scatter – Medium (10 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.  

 5. Debris Structures and Sod Blocks – Hard (5 people)

Install debris structures to retain sediment and improve habitat in South Fork Marlette Creek by pounding willow stakes into creek bed, and stuffing post structure with wood, branches, leaves, and nearby plant material.

Volunteers will choose a project during check-in.

Parking location: Please fill out this transportation survey before 5 pm on June 12 to secure free parking pass or shuttle services. There are only 3 spaces left for the north shore route, and 10 left for the south lake route as of June 11. Parking is limited. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.

South Lake Route (Google Maps Link): 
8 am: Lake Tahoe Community College
8:15 am: Kingsbury Transit Center
8:35 am: Spooner Summit
8:45 am: Chimney Beach Parking Lot
9 am: Event Begins
–
1pm: Event Ends
1:10: Spooner Summit
1:30 pm: Kingsbury Transit Center
1:45 pm: Lake Tahoe Community College

North Lake Route (Google Maps Link):
8:25 am: Kings Beach – State Recreation Area across from Taco Bell 
8:42 am: Cornerstone Community Church
8:50 am: Chimney Beach Parking Lot
9 am: Event Begins
–
1 pm: Event Ends
1:08 pm: Cornerstone Community Church
1:25 pm: Kings Beach – State Recreation Area across from Taco Bell 

Meeting location: Chimney Beach Parking Area (Hwy 28 near Geo Whittell Rd, Carson City, NV)

How to sign up:

• Sign Up to Volunteer.
• Volunteers under 18 – will need to create a volunteer account and provide a guardian email to complete the waiver online.
• Volunteers under 13 – will need to provide a guardian email to create a volunteer account and complete the waiver online.

Timeline:

• 9 am – 12 pm – Restoration projects (selected at check-in). Projects range from easy to more physically demanding.
• 12 – 1 pm – Lunch for volunteers and partners. Everyone will come back together to celebrate all the hard work completed! The celebration will include:
  • Giveaways
  • Lunch

What to bring:

• Sturdy boots or closed-toed shoes
• Tall waterproof boots or waders (if available)
• Long pants that can get dirty
• Sunglasses
• Work gloves (optional)
• Full reusable water bottle
• Personal snacks if desired
• Chair or picnic blanket for lunch

We provide:

• Project tools and equipment
• Gloves and safety gear
• Training and guidance from restoration professionals
• Drinks and snacks
• Volunteer lunch
• Giveaways

Partners: Nevada Tahoe Conservation District & USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

For questions or more information, email events@keeptahoeblue.org.