LAKE TAHOE, Calif. and Nev. – November 10, 2014 – The Tahoe Fund has issued a Request for Proposals to solicit environmental improvement projects in the Tahoe Basin that will restore lake clarity, improve outdoor recreation, and inspire environmental stewardship in the region. Projects that meet the qualifications of the RFP will be the focus of the organization’s fundraising efforts in 2015. Traditionally, the organization features 3-4 Signature Projects each year that are in need of a final source of funding in the range of $15,000 – $50,000.
“The private community has shown us that they are eager to support great projects,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the nonprofit Tahoe Fund, which raises money for environmental projects at Lake Tahoe. “We hope to find projects that will give our donors the chance to make a meaningful difference at Tahoe.”
The 2014 Tahoe Fund Signature Projects include Aquatic Invasive Weed Removal at the Tahoe City Dam, Aquatic Invasive Weed Removal at Ski Run Marina Channel, and an Environmental Education fund for a number of youth environmental programs. This is an addition to the 2014 Premier Project, a new bike path from Incline Village to Sand Harbor. All projects remain open for donations through the end of the calendar year.
“The Tahoe Fund Projects Committee is focused on projects that have everything in place but the last bit of funding,” said Jim Lawrence, Special Advisor to the Nevada Department of Natural Resources and Co-Chair of the Tahoe Fund Projects Committee. “Our main priorities are restoring the Lake’s clarity, getting people out of their cars with new recreational amenities and teaching people how to take better care of this incredible resource.”
Eligible projects must be able to demonstrate that all environmental permits will be obtained, enjoy strong community support, and have other sources of funding identified. Further details can be found in the Request for Projects (RFP), available at www.tahoefund.org/2015projectRFP.
Projects should be consistent with the program level priorities established as part of the 2008-2018 EIP Update. All projects must obtain an EIP number from the TRPA. With the notable exception of education/interpretation projects, the Fund will generally not include funding requests for planning, design, or other preconstruction activities, or for maintenance and monitoring of projects in its portfolios.
Founded in 2010, the nonprofit has inspired private donors to support the Blackwood Creek/Eagle Rock Trail watershed restoration on the west shore; the Incline/3rd Creek watershed restoration on the north shore; segments of the Lake Tahoe Bikeway in Incline Village, Tahoe City, the west shore and South Lake Tahoe; environmental and recreational improvements at Sand Harbor State Park, Van-Sickle Bi-State Park and Washoe Meadows State Park; Asian Clam removal at Emerald Bay; aquatic invasive weed removal in Tahoe City and at Ski Run Marina; the Tahoe Beaches App; and the UC Davis “State of the Lake” report.
