A Clearer Lake Starts This Summer |
Read this eNewsletter online |
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Summer in Tahoe should start with the water, the trails, and the views, not a traffic backup on Highway 89. That is why the Emerald Bay Shuttle is returning mid-June, and why Keep Tahoe Blue is pushing a bigger vision for a Car-Free, Care-Free Tahoe.
When people can park their cars once and use connected options like buses, Lake Link and TART Connect shuttles, e-scooters, bike paths, and the Emerald Bay Shuttle, getting around becomes easier on both people and the Lake. Fewer car trips mean less tailpipe pollution, less roadway erosion, and less runoff, all of which help protect Tahoe's clarity.
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Palisades Plan Approved: Years of Advocacy, Measurable Results |
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Years of advocacy have just produced measurable wins for Tahoe. On May 12, the Placer County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the revised Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan. |
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The Olympic Valley project was reduced by approximately 40% following more than a decade of public engagement, litigation, negotiation, and sustained advocacy by Keep Tahoe Blue and Sierra Watch. Year after year, thousands of community members showed up, spoke up, and stayed engaged.
The revised plan includes major changes: 40% fewer hotel and condominium bedrooms, 20% less new commercial space in the main Village area, a smaller Mountain Adventure Camp, no indoor water park, and, crucially, nearly 40% less traffic impact on Lake Tahoe. It also locks in community benefits that we fought to secure, including employee housing, a fund for environmental restoration and public safety, a new fire station, and restoration commitments tied to Washeshu Creek.
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Water Quality Starts With People Taking Action |
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Protecting Tahoe's blue waters takes more than one program. It takes people on the shoreline, in the field, and out on the water all season long. That work is already underway. On May 9th, 127 volunteers joined us for the 26th annual Snapshot Day, collecting water-quality samples around the Basin and contributing to science that helps everyone better understand the Lake.
At the same time, our Eyes on the Lake Outreach Team continues to grow, helping beachgoers understand how to keep invasive species — like golden mussels — from hitching a ride into Tahoe on their paddleboards, kayaks, fishing gear, inflatables, and other watercraft.
That is only one part of the picture. Through our Eyes on the Lake program, trained marina staff help spot aquatic invasive species early. Through the Citizen Science Tahoe web app, anyone can report what they see, whether it is an algal bloom, cloudy water, invasive species, or litter on the beach.
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And through the Eyes on the Lake x Tahoe Keepers Chance to Win contest, more people are pitching in to protect the Lake while winning great prizes.
This is what citizen science looks like at Tahoe: people taking action by reporting, learning, and helping protect the Lake in real time. If water quality is your passion or you just love Lake Tahoe, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved this summer. |
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Visit the Spurlock/Evers Environment & Education Center This Summer |
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Summer is when our Spurlock/Evers Environment & Education Center comes alive. Located right along the South Shore bike path and easily accessible without a car, the Education Center is built to help people experience Tahoe stewardship firsthand through interactive exhibits and hands-on learning.
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That momentum is already building. School field trips and classes from both inside and outside the Basin are visiting in growing numbers, helping introduce the next generation of Lake stewards to Tahoe's uniqueness, watershed health, invasive species threats, and the everyday actions that protect this place. The learning does not stop at the building either. Keep Tahoe Blue's education work continues outside and in the classroom. If you have not visited yet, this is the season to stop by.
Explore the exhibits with your family and friends and see how our Education Center turns curiosity into connection and connection into stewardship. |
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Whether you're reading with the kids, repping Tahoe at the beach, or adding a patch to your pack, these featured items help protect the Lake you love. -
BEBOT Comic Tee: Based on the real BEBOT, reimagined in vintage comic form, this casual fit tee is made from a soft cotton-poly blend. You'll be ready to fight pollution in style!
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Tahoe Vista Patch: Inspired by Lake Tahoe's scenic shores, this eco-friendly patch is made from post-consumer plastic and features an adhesive backing. Easily customize anything from jackets to backpacks to hats.
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Wild Sierra Nevada: Written for young explorers, this beautifully illustrated watercolor guide to the Sierra Nevada is organized by trees, wildflowers, and wildlife. With simple identification tips and engaging facts, it's perfect for the whole family.
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2026 Eyes on the Lake x Tahoe Keepers Chance to Win | April 15 - September 30, 2026 |
Help stop the spread if aquatic invasive species and Keep Tahoe Blue. Do your part and be entered for a chance to win gear for your next day on the water. It is easy, free, and protects Lake Tahoe. |
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| Eyes on the Lake Outreach Team | May - September 2026 |
Join the Eyes on the Lake Outreach Team and help educate the community about invasive species before they reach the Lake. |
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| Master Gardeners Workshop – High Elevation Edible Gardening in Spring | May 16, 2026 |
Join the UC Master Gardeners of Lake Tahoe for a hands-on guide to high elevation edible gardening in spring. |
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Post Memorial Day Cleanup | May 26, 2026 |
Help Tahoe bounce back after the holiday crowds. Join us for a post-Memorial Day beach cleanup and make an immediate difference for the Lake. |
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15th Annual Bike Path Cleanup| June 3, 2026 |
Kick off Tahoe Bike Month with a community bike path cleanup, then celebrate with food, drinks, and volunteers at The Hangar. Help get the bike paths ready for summer season. |
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| National Trails Day | June 6, 2026 |
Celebrate National Trails Day with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and Keep Tahoe Blue and choose your own adventure making a difference at Van Sickle State Park. |
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| Eyes on the Lake Training | June 9, 2026 |
Free Eyes on the Lake training to identify invasive aquatic species early and help protect Lake Tahoe’s clarity and shoreline health. |
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Tahoe Forest Stewardship Day | June 13, 2026 |
Join us for a hands-on restoration project at Marlette Creek, near Thunderbird Lodge on Lake Tahoe’s east shore. |
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