Our Core Volunteers

February 2026

Featured Core Volunteer: Joanne Rolfe

For Joanne Rolfe, Lake Tahoe has always represented possibility. She first visited in June 1978, pregnant and imagining what it would be like to raise a family in a place this beautiful. In July 1989, she brought her three children to Tahoe and made it their home.

Joanne doesn’t recall the exact event she started volunteering, but she remembers the moment it clicked. A beach cleanup left her frustrated by how easily trash was left behind. That frustration became motivation, and then a lasting commitment to showing up for the Lake and her community.

What keeps Joanne involved are the wonderful people. Keep Tahoe Blue’s staff and fellow volunteers continue to inspire her, but one experience stands out most. She helped welcome a seventh-grade class at the Spurlock/Evers Environment & Education Center and taught them how to care for the Lake and become the next generation of stewards. Seeing that spark of understanding gives her hope for Tahoe’s future.

When she’s not volunteering, Joanne is outdoors, hiking, cross-country skiing, and staying active and enjoying the community she loves.

Her message to those enjoying Tahoe is simple and direct: “Pick up your trash, cigarette butts and broken sleds. Respect what a true jewel we have in Lake Tahoe.”

We’re grateful to Joanne for her decades-long connection to Lake Tahoe and her steady commitment to protecting it. Because of volunteers like her, the Lake remains not just beautiful, but cared for.

January 2026

Featured Core Volunteer: Andrea Lundquist

When Andrea Lundquist moved to Tahoe from the city in 2019, she wasn’t just looking for a change of scenery. She was searching for a way to connect with this special place and the people who care for it. “I was hoping to discover an opportunity to get involved with the environmental community.” That search quickly led her to Keep Tahoe Blue.

She began by volunteering at cleanups and restoration projects, including hands-on work in Johnson Meadow, where new friendships formed alongside muddy boots and shared purpose. Over time, volunteering became both routine and refuge. Andrea finds calm wandering off the trail and along roads, collecting trash. Someone once called it “the worst Easter egg hunt ever,” but she sees the upside. Less trash on beaches and bike trails means progress.

Tahoe’s pull on Andrea started long before she moved here. More than 20 years ago, her first visit left a lasting impression. She was “mesmerized by the big blue view at Lakeside Commons,” and soon found herself making the drive up for ski weekends for nearly two decades. Now living in Meyers, the commute to Kirkwood is shorter, and the connection runs deeper.

One of Andrea’s most meaningful volunteer experiences is Snapshot Day at Fallen Leaf Lake. “I’ve really felt my contributions matter.” Returning to the same site for five seasons has allowed her to see how consistent data collection helps track change and stability over time. That continuity matters. Her impact extends beyond monitoring. During a Stewardship project in the Meeks Creek meadow, Andrea helped remove more than 100 unwanted trees, restoring space for native growth.

When she’s not volunteering, Andrea embraces Tahoe life fully. She skis at Kirkwood, paddleboards on Fallen Leaf and Baron Lake, hikes around Paradise Park, relaxes at Baldwin and Pope Beaches, keeps an eye out for bears, and hosts a neighborhood book club.

Her message to those enjoying their time in Lake Tahoe is simple and direct. “Both visitors and residents need to remember that their actions have consequences. Throwing your bottles, cans, and food wrappers out of a window does not mean they disappear.”

We’re grateful to Andrea for her steady commitment, curiosity, and care for Tahoe’s landscapes. Because of volunteers like her, the Lake and its surrounding environment are better protected, season after season.

December 2025

Featured Core Volunteer: Ron Kline

For decades, Lake Tahoe has been woven into the fabric of Ron Kline’s life — a special place where he carved paths on winter slopes and embarked on countless adventures. Over time, his relationship with the Lake deepened into something more meaningful. “For years, I took from the Tahoe area. I skied and worked at Heavenly Resort,” Ron reflects. “I really did not appreciate the other seasons of the year. I backpacked in the wilderness and took it for granted that everything would remain status quo.”

That perspective changed as he began to notice signs of strain on Tahoe’s ecosystem — trash left behind, eroded trails, and shifting wildlife patterns. “The change in the wildlife was a real clue. California ground squirrels were showing up. Geese were not leaving in the winter. The Lake was getting polluted.”

Friends introduced Ron to Keep Tahoe Blue, where he quickly found purpose. He started by volunteering for the annual Keep Tahoe Red, White & Blue Beach Cleanup and adopting a local site through the Tahoe Blue Crew program. “It was easy to sign up for the Blue Crew and start cleaning up my hiking area that was a real mess with homeless camps,” he explains. Since then, Ron’s commitment has grown to include Snapshot Day and Tahoe Forest Stewardship Days, which have become staples in his volunteer life. “The science that Keep Tahoe Blue pursues is amazing. The Snapshot Day is fascinating — testing the lake waters fits into my goal of a cleaner lake.”

Among his many volunteer efforts, his solo cleanups remain the most rewarding. “My Blue Crew cleanup in my own area is very rewarding. I choose the time and day I want to go out and clean up my area.”

Today, Ron’s connection to Tahoe spans every season. He hikes with friends and his Aussie pup, bikes all around the Lake, serves as a Trail Ranger in the Mokelumne Wilderness, and skis both downhill and cross-country. Whether chasing fall colors, attending local concerts, or watching the salmon run at Taylor Creek, Ron never loses sight of why he volunteers — to preserve Tahoe’s beauty that has given him so much.

“Keep Tahoe Blue has a staff that works to preserve our Lake Tahoe,” he says. “They are all approachable and friendly and well-trained in their jobs.” Thanks to dedicated volunteers like Ron, the Lake’s future is a little clearer and bluer every day.

November 2025

Featured Core Volunteer: Naomi Morgan

When Naomi Morgan and her husband made their home in the Tahoe Basin nearly a decade ago, it wasn’t just for the pretty views, but for how Tahoe made them feel. “One of the core reasons we moved here was to live amongst nature,” she says, “to bathe in the sunshine while breathing in the scents of pine and aspen trees and the snow melt around Lake Tahoe.”

That deep sense of place fuels Naomi’s commitment to Keep Tahoe Blue. From her home base in Reno, she’s built connections across communities, partnering with local businesses to share the iconic blue sticker — a small but mighty reminder that Tahoe’s future depends on all of us. “Every sticker out there,” she says, “is a sign that someone cares about this Lake.”

Each summer, Naomi joins hundreds of volunteers for Keep Tahoe Blue’s annual July 5th Keep Tahoe Red, White and Blue Beach Cleanup, rolling up her sleeves to help restore the shoreline after the holiday celebrations. She’s there sorting debris, clearing bottle caps from sand, and watching once-crowded beaches return to their pristine state. “It’s the perfect way to give back,” she says. “You see the difference right in front of you.”

When she’s not volunteering, Naomi soaks in the beauty she helps protect — sailing on the Lake, hiking forest trails, skiing powder mornings, or off-roading through the mountains surrounding the Basin. “There are so many ways to care for Tahoe,” she reflects. “Everyone can do something to keep this place clean and clear.”

We are lucky to have her in our volunteer program! Thank you, Naomi, for your dedication, generosity, and leadership in connecting communities and protecting Tahoe’s wild beauty.

October 2025

Featured Core Volunteer: Frank Goddard

For more than 70 years, Lake Tahoe has been part of Frank Goddard’s life. His parents, German immigrants, first discovered the Lake for summertime beach visits, and Frank has returned ever since. From decades of skiing — including nearly 50 years at Kirkwood — to celebrating his honeymoon with Melanie in 1978, to raising their daughters with annual trips, and now living here full-time near their two granddaughters, Tahoe has been the constant.

In April 2025, Frank launched the Seneca Blues Crew and adopted the Cove East Trail. The choice was personal and practical. “The short Cove East Trail is convenient for us to take our goldendoodle to a beautiful Tahoe beach, but being close to town and the busy marina and near-by Tahoe Keys subdivision, gets heavy use, including from people who are not always conscientious about packing out their trash. That, and the fact that it is such a short distance for the trash to get into the lake.”

Some items found during cleanups have been memorable. “The craziest thing we have picked up was Fourth of July ‘party favors,’ such as gaudy red, white, and blue glasses,” Frank recalls. But most often, it’s the smaller, invisible waste that troubles him most. “Unfortunately, small pieces of trash, especially plastic, which are exactly the stuff we don’t want out in the lake.”

Frank hopes others remember how even little actions matter. “That the cumulative impact of one small piece of garbage they figure certainly won’t affect the lake they are enjoying, does in fact add up over time.”

We’re grateful to Frank for his leadership and lifelong commitment to Tahoe. Because of volunteers like him, the Lake is bluer, cleaner, and healthier for everyone who loves it.

September 2025

Featured Core Volunteer: Nico Chaves

This September, we’re proud to spotlight one of our newest faces in the Keep Tahoe Blue volunteer community. Since jumping in at this year’s Earth Day Cleanup, Nico has already logged 33 volunteer hours and made a big impact.

From lending his expertise with our cleanup data and supporting our Tahoe Blue Beach program installations to lending a hand at major events like Keep Tahoe Blue’s Building Grand Opening, Rock Tahoe Half Marathon, and Jean-Michel Cousteau speaking event, Nico has become a reliable volunteer wherever he’s needed. He’s even tabled and sold merchandise, representing Keep Tahoe Blue in the community.

For Nico, volunteering is about people as much as it is about place. “Keep Tahoe Blue does amazing work to protect Tahoe, so it’s a pleasure to be involved,” he says. “I love working with kind, smart people who are passionate about protecting Tahoe.”

What makes Tahoe special to him? The everyday beauty. “Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The views are stunning. Every day, I see something beautiful here that inspires me to help protect Tahoe.” Whether hiking with his dog Sophie (a.k.a. “Snow-phie” when she’s romping in the snow) or engaging visitors at an event, Nico brings that same inspiration to his volunteer work.

His favorite moment so far? A snowy April afternoon at the Tahoe Truckee Earth Day event: “It felt like being in a snow globe,” Nico recalls. More recently, he was moved by hearing Jean-Michel Cousteau’s passion for Tahoe during the Keep Tahoe Blue Speaker Series. “Seeing his reverence for Tahoe made me proud to live here, and reminded me how important it is to protect this special place.”

Nico hopes visitors take that same message home: “This place took millions of years to form. If we’re careless, we can easily damage it. Let’s all treat Tahoe with respect and be part of the solution.”

Thank you, Nico, for jumping in with energy, curiosity, and heart. Volunteers like you are the future of our mission to Keep Tahoe Blue.

August 2025

Featured Core Volunteer: Mary Ann Werley

This August, we’re honored to spotlight someone who has shaped the League’s community and culture behind the scenes for over three decades: Mary Ann Werley. With 300 officially logged hours — and an estimated 1,000+ volunteer hours over 35 years (it was before we formally tracked hours). Mary Ann is a pillar of support, style, and service.

Mary Ann first joined Keep Tahoe Blue in 1990. A full-time Tahoe resident since 1972, she saw the League as “an excellent organization” full of people who genuinely care about keeping the Lake healthy and beautiful. Her dedication has remained unwavering ever since.

While Tahoe’s natural beauty drew Mary Ann and her family in for the skiing, the community made it home. “Tahoe is special because of the people who live here,” she says. “They’ve chosen a lifestyle that prioritizes nature over city careers. That makes all the difference.”
Her most iconic contribution? Serving as head volunteer dresser for the League’s annual fundraising fashion show. Each summer, she leads a crew of 20–25 volunteer women, coordinating a fast-paced 30-minute transformation backstage to dress professional models with precision — handling clothes, shoes, and jewelry with practiced grace. Her leadership helps bring the League’s largest fundraiser to life.

Beyond the event, Mary Ann and her family ran a water ski school on the Lake for 20 years and have been boating on Tahoe’s waters for over 50 years. When asked what visitors should know, she offers this: “Enjoy your surroundings, appreciate the beauty of the Lake, and treat it with respect. You’re a guest in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.”

Thank you, Mary Ann, for your legacy of service, your leadership at our biggest event of the year, and your deep love for Tahoe. Volunteers like you are the heart of our mission to Keep Tahoe Blue.

July 2025

Featured Core Volunteer: Peter Fairley

This month marks a milestone for Peter Fairley: 10 years of volunteering with Keep Tahoe Blue. Since 2015, Peter has been a driving force for cleanups, citizen science programs, and inspiring others to protect the Lake he calls home. As a retired science teacher, he brings curiosity and care to every project, from Eyes on the Lake and Snapshot Day to leading his Stateline Point Tahoe Blue Crew.

Peter’s connection to Tahoe runs deep. “Volunteering with KTB allows me to take positive actions to help keep this incredible place beautiful,” he says. “It’s great to be part of a team of people with the goal of living in balance with this natural wonder.” When he’s not teaching or leading cleanups, you can find him trail running, SUPing, telemark skiing, or hiking — all while picking up litter. He’s also a great spokesman, as seen in this clip from a news interview at the 2024 Labor Day Cleanup.

This summer, Peter has a message for visitors: “Your choices and actions actually help Keep Tahoe Blue! Walk your sticker’s talk by avoiding single-use plastics, taking responsibility for your trash and dog waste, finding ways to drive less, and most importantly, get outside and soak in the magic of this amazing part of the planet.”

Thank you, Peter, for your decade of dedication, leadership, and passion. Volunteers like you are the heart of our mission to Keep Tahoe Blue.

June 2025

Featured Core Volunteer: Jeanette Mori

Since joining Keep Tahoe Blue in 2023, Jeanette Mori has quickly become a powerhouse volunteer, logging 140 hours across nearly every program the League offers. Jeanette brings infectious energy, scientific curiosity, and a willingness to tackle any challenge, from leading her own Tahoe Blue Crew to assisting at the League’s store.

Volunteering isn’t new for Jeanette. It’s been part of her life for as long as she can remember. “When I heard about Tahoe Blue Crew, I thought, wow, that is a perfect way to get involved! I also love the science behind it all,” she says. Jeanette’s commitment shines brightest at her favorite events: Tahoe Forest Stewardship Days and Snapshot Day, where she thrives on teamwork, hard work, and the thrill of gathering real data to protect the Lake.

Tahoe holds a special place in Jeanette’s heart. She loves its sense of openness and the environmentally conscious spirit she sees in people. When she’s not volunteering, you can find her skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, outrigger canoeing, swimming, hiking, or biking, fully embracing all that Tahoe has to offer.

Jeanette encourages everyone visiting Tahoe this summer to “Keep Tahoe Blue! Enjoy all the Lake has to offer, but be mindful of the environment. Respect it and treat it like your child.”

Thank you, Jeanette, for inspiring others, leading by example, and making Tahoe a better place for all. Volunteers like you are the heart of our mission!

May 2025

Featured Core Volunteer: Andrew Pavlu

Andrew grew up just down the mountain in Reno, where Lake Tahoe was a regular destination for camping trips, beach days, and building lifelong memories. Today, he’s giving back to the Lake that gave him so much — one restoration project at a time.

“I like to enjoy the parks and mountains around Tahoe,” Andrew says. “Working with Keep Tahoe Blue is just one way to try to give back to the Lake for all the memories it gave to me.”

Andrew has jumped in with both feet since joining the League’s volunteer program in 2022. He’s become a consistent presence at some of our most hands-on events, including Tahoe Forest Stewardship Days, Snapshot Day, and Labor Day Cleanups, year after year.

Quietly dedicated and never afraid of a challenge, Andrew has earned a reputation as a true Stewardship Superstar. Whether hauling logs, digging through soil restoration zones, or helping first-time volunteers feel welcome, he leads with action.

He’s not one to seek the spotlight, which makes us even more honored that he agreed to let us say, thank you, Andrew. Your hard work is helping to protect the Tahoe we all love.

April 2025

Featured Core Volunteer: Lenny Smith

With a decade of dedication and 163.5 hours of service, Lenny Smith is the kind of volunteer every community dreams of. Since 2015, Lenny has been a consistent presence at League events—from Tahoe Forest Stewardship Days to Earth Day cleanups and the annual Benefit. Rain or shine, he’s always there with a positive attitude, ready to dig in and make a difference.

When asked why he volunteers, Lenny’s answer is simple and heartfelt: “Because I am a Tahoe-an!” He brings that Tahoe spirit to every project, whether cutting back whitethorn in the forest or picking up litter along the shoreline. “I look forward to every volunteer opportunity with Keep Tahoe Blue,” he says. “I especially love the hard work, and I enjoy the people I work with—from the staff to other volunteers.”

Lenny’s love for Lake Tahoe runs deep. He values the strong sense of community and feels that “if you have the right heart and right mind, Tahoe has so much to offer you.” In his free time, you’ll likely find him hiking through the woods with his dog, Jack, or relaxing on a local beach—doing what he can to enjoy and protect this place he calls home.

We’re thrilled to spotlight Lenny this month and celebrate his incredible commitment to the League’s mission. Thank you, Lenny, for being a true Tahoe steward and for all the hard work, heart, and smiles you’ve brought to our community!

March 2025

Featured Core Volunteer: Elaine Welch

For more than a decade, Elaine Welch has been a driving force in protecting and preserving Lake Tahoe. Since she first started volunteering with the League in 2014, Elaine has dedicated 236 hours to hands-on conservation efforts, impacting Tahoe’s environment.

As a Tahoe Blue Crew Leader, Elaine has adopted Nevada Beach, Kahle Meadow, and Van Sickle State Park, ensuring these beloved outdoor spaces remain clean and beautiful for all to enjoy. Her passion extends beyond cleanups—she’s actively involved in the Tahoe Forest Stewardship Day, Snapshot Day, and Eyes on the Lake monitoring, helping track and report environmental changes.

Elaine’s commitment to keeping Tahoe Blue goes beyond the work itself. She values the friendships she’s built through volunteering and loves the diverse opportunities to engage with science, restoration, and community action. Her passion for swimming, boating, kayaking, and hiking fuels her dedication to ensuring Lake Tahoe remains pristine for generations.

Thank you, Elaine, for your unwavering dedication and love for Tahoe. Your legacy of stewardship makes a real difference!

February 2025

Featured Core Volunteer: Karen Cutter

Meet Karen Cutter, a dedicated Core Volunteer who has logged an impressive 282 hours protecting Lake Tahoe’s beauty. As a leader in the Tahoe Blue Crew – Littermates, Karen rallies her Meyers neighbors to tackle litter and safeguard Tahoe’s shores.

Her contributions don’t stop there. From helping at Tahoe Forest Stewardship Days and community cleanups to supporting the League’s office and Annual Benefit, Karen’s commitment shines through in every project.

Why does she dedicate her time? “I’ve been a volunteer for years because I love the lake,” Karen shares. When she’s not volunteering, you can find her cycling and hiking through the landscapes she works so hard to protect.

Thank you, Karen, for being an incredible steward of Tahoe. Volunteers like you drive our mission to Keep Tahoe Blue!