THIS IS THE SEASON THAT SHAPES TAHOE'S CLARITY |
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Spring is when Lake Tahoe's summer story starts to unfold. As snowmelt moves through the watershed, Keep Tahoe Blue gets to work collecting data that tracks water quality and flags emerging threats like aquatic invasive species.
This is where volunteering as citizen scientists matters. Events like Snapshot Day and programs like Eyes on the Lake help monitor the water, catch problems early, and protect the Lake before impacts grow. Here are a few ways to get involved this month:
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FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE COMMUNITY |
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Education is one of the most effective ways to protect Lake Tahoe.
In a recent op-ed, Education Manager Rosie Hackett shared how hands-on learning at our Spurlock/Evers Environment & Education Center is helping students understand the science behind Tahoe's protection and why it matters.
That same approach continues this month with the first Keep Tahoe Blue Speaker Series event of 2026. On May 14, join a panel discussion on Building Sustainably, featuring Keep Tahoe Blue, W | Y Architects, and Sierra Sustainable Builders.
The conversation will focus on how thoughtful design and renovation can reduce environmental impact in commercial and residential properties, and support the Lake's long-term health. |
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STOPPING INVASIVE SPECIES
BEFORE THEY START |
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Preventing aquatic invasive species (AIS) starts long before the problem is visible.
In a new feature from electric boat builder Arc Boats, our Chief Strategy Officer, Jesse Patterson, shares how education and early detection are critical to protecting Lake Tahoe. Volunteering and emerging solutions like bubble curtains go a long way toward stopping AIS before it causes damage to Tahoe's blue waters.
It's a shared responsibility, and it works when people are informed and involved. |
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CORE VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: PHIL CARROLL |
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For Phil Carroll, taking care of his community isn't a one-time effort — he lives it every day. By the end of an average shift as a ski instructor, Phil's pockets are usually full of litter he picked up along the way.
It's not something he sets out to do. He just doesn't like seeing trash where it doesn't belong, whether he is on the slopes, walking along the Lake, or volunteering at events like the Keep Tahoe Red, White and Blue 5th of July Cleanup and Tahoe Forest Stewardship Days.
Over time, that habit has become part of how he moves through Tahoe. If he sees it, he picks it up.
His advice is simple: "Pack it in, pack it out." |
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TAHOE BLUE CREW LEADER SPOTLIGHT: ELAINE WELCH |
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Blue Crew leader Elaine Welch splits her time between Kahle Park in the winter, Rabe Meadows in the summer, and Van Sickle Bi-State Park year-round, cleaning up the places she knows best.
What she finds can add up quickly. Cigarette butts in the snow. Sled debris, food wrappers, and bottle caps on trails. At Van Sickle, it's often coffee cups and plastic straws. She thinks about what happens to it, how long it stays, and where it ends up if no one steps in.
That's why she keeps coming back. It's not for recognition, but to make sure her special places in Tahoe are clean and beautiful. |
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STAFF SPOTLIGHT: DARIA WALSH |
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Join us in welcoming Daria Walsh to Keep Tahoe Blue as our new Community Engagement Associate. From Yellowstone to New Zealand to the Rocky Mountains, Daria's passion for conservation has taken her across some incredible landscapes.
As the newest member of our Community Programs Team, Daria brings people together to protect Lake Tahoe, from leading volunteer events to supporting hands-on restoration projects. When you see her at an event this summer, be sure to say hi. |
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| SUSTAINABLE PICKS THAT LAST BEYOND EARTH MONTH |
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Here are a few Earth Month Favorites to keep the momentum going. -
Noso Bear Patch: Give your gear a second life; just peel, stick, and dry. It's an easy fix that keeps your favorite items out of the landfill.
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Tahoe Earth Pin: Our 10-oz Wine Tumbler is perfect for sipping chilled rosé on the beach, at the campground, or in the comfort of your own backyard.
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Everywhere Totes: Whether it's tea at home or a refill at your local coffee shop, the 12-oz Tahoe Camp Mug keeps drinks hot or cold for hours.
Open Thursday–Saturday, 11 am–5 pm | 2877 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 |
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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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2026 Eyes on the Lake x Tahoe Keepers Chance to Win| April - September |
Protect Lake Tahoe and get rewarded. Submit observations, learn Clean, Drain, Dry, and earn entries for monthly prizes while helping stop invasive species before they spread. |
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Tahoe Blue Crew Training | April 28, 2026 |
Take ownership of a place you love. This training shows you how to lead cleanups, track litter data, and build a routine that keeps Tahoe’s beaches and neighborhoods cleaner year-round. |
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Snapshot Day Team Leader Training | May 1 & 6, 2026 |
Learn how to lead a team that tracks Tahoe’s water quality. Get hands-on training on how to guide volunteers collecting real data across the Basin. |
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26th Annual Snapshot Day | May 9, 2026 |
Help measure the health of Lake Tahoe in real time. Join volunteers collecting water samples across the Basin to track water quality and inform how the Lake is protected. |
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Eyes on the Lake Outreach Team | May - September |
Help stop invasive species where it matters most. Get trained, then volunteer at Tahoe’s busiest beaches and launch points to educate visitors and prevent new infestations. |
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Keep Tahoe Blue Speaker Series: Building Sustainably | May 14, 2026 |
Mark your calendars and celebrate Earth Day with a rewarding community cleanup in South Lake Tahoe. |
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Master Gardeners Workshop: High Elevation Edible Gardening in Spring | May 16, 2026 |
Get your Tahoe garden ready for the spring with the UC Master Gardeners of Lake Tahoe. Learn how to prepare soil, choose plants, and build a high-elevation garden that thrives. |
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Tahoe Forest Stewardship Day: Spring | June 13, 2026 |
Help restore a stream that protects Lake Tahoe’s clarity. Join a hands-on restoration project at Marlette Creek, planting native vegetation and stabilizing stream banks alongside restoration professionals.
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