People Powering Tahoe’s Protection |
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Tahoe means so much to so many. Yet, people enjoy, experience, and connect with this place is countless ways. In this eNewsletter, we're excited to introduce you to a few folks — Keep Tahoe Blue volunteers and staff — who not only love Lake Tahoe, but give their time and effort to protecting it, in the ways that matter most to them.
But first, we have an exciting announcement about newly introduced, bipartisan federal legislation that will have a major impact on Tahoe. |
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Santini-Burton Modernization Act |
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On Tuesday, January 27th, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Rep. Kevin Kiley, and other federal lawmakers introduced a new bill to free up millions of dollars in existing funding to manage 16,000 acres of public land in the Tahoe Basin.
If passed, the Santini-Burton Modernization Act would mean more Environmental Improvement Program projects to protect Tahoe’s famed clarity, increase recreation access, reduce wildfire risk, and expand the Washoe Tribe’s presence in the Tahoe Basin, their ancestral homelands. Keep Tahoe Blue’s policy professionals collaborated with lawmakers, local agencies, the Tribe, and other members of Team Tahoe to reach this important milestone. We're grateful for these partnerships. |
| The result is legislation by Tahoe, for Tahoe. We’ll spend this year advocating for the Santini-Burton Modernization Act's success in Congress. |
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| Our volunteers create a ripple effect of good in the community, and it’s volunteers like Andrea Lundquist that inspire us every day. |
| When Andrea moved to Tahoe in 2019, she wasn’t just looking for a change of scenery. She was looking for a way to connect with this place and the people who care for it. Andrea's been a part of almost every cleanup and restoration project since. She's shown what steady, consistent care for Tahoe looks like.
“I’ve really felt my contributions matter,” she says. And they do. Because of volunteers like Andrea, Tahoe’s beaches, trails, meadows, and waters are better protected season after season.
Thank you for showing up and taking action for the Lake. 💙 |
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Tahoe Blue Crew Leader Spotlight |
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Heather Schwartz is the Program Manager at SOS Outreach North Lake Tahoe, a youth mentorship nonprofit that provides access to skiing and snowboarding while creating meaningful opportunities for young people to connect with their community.
When the youth she mentors continued to find litter on their favorite trails and sledding hills, Heather helped turn concern into action by forming their own Tahoe Blue Crew. Since launching in February 2021, the crew has adopted high-use recreation areas and shorelines across North Lake Tahoe, helping keep these shared spaces clean and welcoming for everyone. |
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For these young leaders, cleanups are about more than litter. They’re about caring for the Lake in a way that builds momentum and inspires others to do the same. |
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Meet Keep Tahoe Blue's COO |
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Protecting Lake Tahoe takes more than heart. It requires a strong framework and a dedicated team to carry the mission forward. |
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Meet Kristiana Almeida, Chief Operating Officer at Keep Tahoe Blue. Kristiana leads the work of building the systems, processes, and culture that help our organization stay effective, resilient, and focused for the long term.
From project-managing creation of the Spurlock/Evers Environment & Education Center to supporting thoughtful hiring, clear workflows, and healthy work-life balance, her people-first leadership helps our team show up ready to protect Tahoe every day. Strong systems support strong people. And when people feel supported, meaningful work can last.
Learn more about Keep Tahoe Blue's mission and the people behind it. |
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From Tahoe Across the Globe |
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Keep Tahoe Blue is more than a sticker. It’s a mindset you carry with you, wherever your adventures lead. From Mount Kilimanjaro to Tahiti and everywhere in between, we love seeing the Keep Tahoe Blue spirit spread across borders, oceans, and continents.
Heading somewhere epic? Tag us in your photos with your Keep Tahoe Blue gear so we can keep sharing this commitment to protecting the places we love.
Stop by our Kerrigan Family Boutique to grab a world-famous Keep Tahoe Blue sticker, license plate frame, or flag, and take Tahoe with you on your next adventure. 💙
Open Thursday–Saturday, 11am–5pm | 2877 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 |
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Mark Your Calendars
2026 Upcoming Events |
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South Tahoe Earth Day Festival | April 18, 2026 |
This volunteer-powered, non-profit event is one of the area’s largest environmental gatherings. |
| 11th Annual Earth Day Cleanup | April 22, 2026 |
Celebrate Earth Day by joining a community cleanup at Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe. |
| Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival | April 25, 2026 |
This free community event is one of the largest Earth Day celebrations in Tahoe. |
| 26th Annual Snapshot Day | May 9, 2026 |
Join us for Tahoe's longest running, hands-on, water quality monitoring event. |
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Every ride shared, every cleanup joined, every conversation sparked, and every donation made helps move this work forward. When people care for Tahoe together, the impact lasts far beyond a single season.
Thank you for being part of this community and for showing up for the Lake in ways big and small. We’re grateful to protect this place alongside you. |
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