Improving Pedestrian Safety & Connectivity in the Basin
June 10, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published with TRPA Email Newsletter
June is Tahoe Bike Month! Join the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition to celebrate progress toward a cleaner, more connected Tahoe.
From scenic paths to safer streets, big strides are being made to improve biking and walking options around the Tahoe Basin. Since 1997, Environmental Improvement Program partners have built or upgraded over 200 miles of bike and pedestrian trails—and the momentum is only growing.
In The News – Dive into science this summer: UC Davis hosts 2025 summer sessions at Lake Tahoe
June 9, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 06/09/2025, Staff Report
UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) invites science enthusiasts, lifelong learners, and curious minds to become Lake Tahoe experts through its immersive 2025 Summer Sessions at Lake Tahoe. This unique, multi-day educational experience takes participants behind the scenes of cutting-edge research and the natural wonders of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
The four-day program, led by world-class researchers and educators, runs from June 24 to June 30, 2025, at TERC’s Tahoe City and Incline Village facilities.
In The News – New interpretive panels at Stateline Fire Lookout Trail encourage visitors to ‘take care’
June 6, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 06/06/2025, Staff Report
Hiking the scenic Stateline Fire Lookout National Forest Trail in Crystal Bay just got more interesting thanks to a generous matching donation to the Tahoe Fund from the Spence and Wylie families. Nine new interpretive panels have been installed to welcome visitors to the trail and offer an opportunity to learn about the area’s rich natural and cultural history.
The Stateline Fire Lookout Trail in Crystal Bay offers beautiful panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. Named for its location — straddling the Nevada-California line — this trail had interpretive panels that were worn down by wind and weather. Now, the brand new panels share insights into the history of the fire lookout, local wildlife, and the importance of preserving Tahoe’s delicate environment.
There are new interpretive signs at Stateline Fire Lookout Trail.
In The News – Conference held at Tahoe campus explores relationships among peoples, plants, and animals
June 5, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 06/05/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh
The 46th Annual Conference of the Society of Ethnobiology took place at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe on May 21-24. People converged at the campus from around the U.S. and global locales such as India, Nepal, Europe and the Cayman Islands to learn and discuss topics of ethnobiology, an interdisciplinary study that delves into the relationships among peoples, plants and animals, as well as their environments.
The conference was previously held in Reno, Nev. in 1998, and locations worldwide such as British Columbia, Canada, and Oaxaca, Mexico over the years, but this is the first time the conference was held at Lake Tahoe.
“Things converged that made it possible,” conference host, Maria Bruno said, the Society’s vice president.
The Local Lens – Community Clean-Up and Beautification
June 4, 2025 | Linda Offerdahl
We don’t need a reason or a day to pick up litter and trash, but if you are one of those people who need a schedule, Saturday is the day. Why not take a purposeful walk by picking up a trash bag and litter grabber at the library first? Your rewards for helping are mostly intrinsic, but there IS a reward at the end, a BBQ at the Incline Library Block Party. There will be plenty of things for kids to do with the nonprofit “meet and greet” tables, and it gives them a chance to sign up for the summer reading program. Thank you to all the participants, but especially to Waste Not and Incline Library.
While you are out there, stop and smell the lilacs along the way! It is the season for so many blooming flowers, our village truly is “Inclined to Bloom” this time of year. IVCBA has installed flowers in the Christmas Tree Village and in the Village Center(more coming). A big shout-out goes to Jason Jurss with Happy Tiers for installing the brackets and flowers in Christmas Tree Village.
When we first started this campaign, people wondered how we would pay for it. I said that businesses and the community would get behind it. The first businesses to do so are Happy Tiers, Village Pet Foundation, Sierra Verde, Pet Network Thrift Store, the Fitness Loft, and the Rotary Clubs. Incline Tahoe Foundation is our partner. If you want to help, make a charitable donation at Inclinethahoe.org. Look for Main Street Beautification on the Projects tab of find the QR code of the graphic in SnapShot.
The second thing people wondered about is how we will water these flowers. Not an easy task! We are relying on merchants and property managers like IPM and Tano at Village Center. But we can use volunteers! If you help water these flowers, reach out to me at Linda@IVCBA.org.
Fire Adapted Communities and Defensible Space
North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District makes such a difference in our community. They work tirelessly to keep our community safe from fire in many ways. They provide free pickup for lawn waste. We take it for granted, but not every community does that. Tom Milhoff and the Upper Tyner neighborhood have set a high bar and standard for other neighborhoods to become Fire Safe and become a Fire Adapted Community. Linda Kahrs is organizing the Lariat Circle neighbors; we hope to connect with other Lower Tyner neighborhoods too.
If you can’t tell, I am “ALL IN” on this clean-up and beautification thing. I hope you are, too.
If I have any energy left on Saturday, I will stop in at Cornerstone’s Community Market. It sounds like a yard sale AND a venue for anyone selling custom crafts. In the evening, there is a concert “Words to Water” at Bowl Incline to support Steve and Tracy Tomkovicz’s favorite charity, supplying water to needy communities in the world.
One more thing: IVCBA just filled Welcome Bags with goodies and literature from many of our businesses, nonprofits, and agencies. If you are new to town or know someone who is, reach out to Info@IVCBA.org to get one!
Have a great weekend!
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Believe it or not, it’s already the last week of classes for 2025. Finals start Friday, and next Wednesday is the LAST DAY of school.
Here are a couple of noteworthy events happening at Incline High this week:
Wednesday, June 4 – Spring Band Concert – 6:30–8:00 PM
Friday, June 6 – Senior English Presents: Macbeth – 5:00 & 7:00 PM in the Duffield Theater
Graduation is Monday, June 16 at 3:00 PM on the Football Field, the gate will open at 2:00 p.m.
Last week, The Incline Boosters Club hosted the powerful “Every 15 Minutes” program at Incline High School. This two-day event challenges students to confront the harsh realities of impaired and distracted driving. Adopted nationwide, the program encourages teens to think critically about personal safety and responsibility, with the goal of reducing risky behaviors and promoting safer choices behind the wheel.
The event began with a simulated crash scene on campus, involving local law enforcement, emergency responders, and student actors portraying the accident. The dramatic reenactment included a mock fatality, a DUI arrest, and the emotional reactions of students, parents, and first responders. This visual and emotional experience was designed to leave a lasting impression on the students, prompting them to reflect on the potential consequences of impaired or distracted driving.
The second day of the program featured an assembly where students heard from speakers and individuals personally affected by impaired driving incidents and watched a video simulating the aftermath. The testimonies underscored the real-life impacts of such decisions and reinforced the program’s message about the importance of making responsible choices behind the wheel.
The community’s support and involvement were crucial to the success of the event, highlighting the collective effort needed to address this critical issue. The program was made possible by the Incline Boosters Club and donors to the 2024 Fund-A-Need. The Executive Director of the program and the film, Tara Cannon collaborated with Orange Tree Productions, local first responders and community members including: the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Care Flight, Renown Children’s Hospital, Walton Funeral Home, Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office and Incline Village Judge Mangiaracina.
On June 12, the community will be invited to watch the premier screening of the film, ”Journey of Consequences”. More details, including times and ticket distribution, will be communicated soon. For more information, contact: tara.cannon347@gmail.com.
In The News – Cancer survivor joins thousands at America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride, funds raised for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
June 4, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 06/04/2025, Written by Zoe Meyer
On June 1, more than 2,300 cyclists pedaled along the shoreline of Lake Tahoe during the 29th annual America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride (AMBBR), uniting under a shared mission: raise $3 million for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to help blood cancer patients live longer, healthier lives.
The ride, which offers 35-, 72-, and 100-mile routes, has raised over $115 million since its inception and has become a popular event for both amateur and seasoned endurance cyclists. Many riders train with LLS’s Team In Training, the world’s largest endurance sports training program.
“This ride has evolved into a ride that is not just enjoyed by those local to Tahoe, but the entire cancer-fighting community,” Zach Blackburn, Vice President of Athletic Initiatives at LLS, said. “It’s a ride that is uniting all with a common goal—to cure blood cancers.”
In The News- Darin Talbot’s ‘Becoming Buffett’ returns to Tahoe
June 3, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 06/03/2025, Staff Report
Darin Talbot, one of Lake Tahoe’s favorite entertainers, is bringing his new show about the life and legend of the late, great Jimmy Buffett to the shores of Lake Tahoe for a very special Father’s Day show on Sunday, June 15th, 2025 at Mourelato’s Resort in Tahoe Vista, CA in association with Michelle Erskine Entertainment.
Talbot, best known and christened locally as “Tahoe’s Jimmy Buffett” (Tahoe Mountain News), has created an amazing new show that is a performative impersonation and tribute to the extraordinary life and career of Jimmy Buffett. The successful show has been recently selected up by Margaritaville USA to be performed aboard the ‘ISLANDER’ a Margaritaville cruise ship setting sail to Mexico this summer.
“I just love bringing Jimmy’s story back to life on stage,” says Talbot, who has vowed to all Parrotheads to Keep The Party Going… “There’s so much to Buffett’s saga that most people do not know; Interesting facts and circumstances that led to his rise and fame. How he worked hard to become a great singer songwriter, but also how he trademarked the tropics with his unique style and created a billion dollar corporation that spans multiple countries with bars, hotels, and even retirement communities. As Jimmy use to say, ‘I would rather die while I am living then live while I am dead.’ And live he did. And what an extraordinary life it was… “
Environmentalism, Sustainability and Public Schools
June 3, 2025 | Mary Danahey
Originally Published in IVCBA Magazine: LIVE.WORK.PLAY, Written by Mary Danahey
A Community Effort to Protect Tahoe’s Future
Environmentalism is not just a topic taught in classrooms here in Incline—it is hands-on projects and cross-curricular programs that prepare students to take on the responsibility of protecting the unique ecosystem of the Tahoe Basin. By fostering critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration, the schools are shaping a generation that values sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Incline Elementary School: Deeper Learning through Cross-Curricular Programs
At Incline Elementary School (IES), environmental education begins early. IES integrates environmental themes into innovative cross-curricular programs, connecting grade-level classes, art, and makerspace activities to real-world applications. Last fall, students studied natural disasters like wildfires, earthquakes and tsunamis, applying their knowledge through creative projects that demonstrated their learning about the interconnectedness of the environment and human activities.
The “Bear to Read” program is a new initiative that combines environmental themes with literacy. By reading books about the natural world (bear habitats), students improve their reading skills while developing a deeper appreciation for nature.
Incline Middle School: Exploratory Classes and Sustainability Projects
Incline Middle School (IMS) fosters environmental awareness through weekly exploratory classes, where students explore sustainability, tackle issues, and engage in problem-solving activities that benefit the local community. A notable example is the “Trash to Treasure” initiative, which challenges students to turn waste into functional art or practical items. This project teaches the value of recycling and reusing materials while fostering creativity. This year, the Bear Box Beautification project continues this theme by improving the community’s bear-proof containers, giving students hands-on experience in design projects, teamwork and problem-solving; skills that are valuable in any field.
The middle school’s Leadership, Music and Broadcast Journalism classes also collaborated on the Trash to Treasure project. Students were empowered to advocate for caring for Tahoe by producing a rap song and creating “anti-litter” messaging (for stickers) encouraging everyone -locals and visitors alike – to Love our Lake and to not “Mess with Tessie”.
Incline High School: Engineering Solutions for Snow Loads
Incline High School (IHS) incorporates environmentalism in both the AP Environmental Science program and the Engineering class. IHS Engineering students received a coveted Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam grant for designing an innovative system to monitor snow loads on roofs—an issue critical in the Tahoe Basin, where heavy snowfall can create hazardous conditions. Using sensors and data analysis, students developed a solution to detect snow accumulation in real-time, demonstrating the practical application of engineering principles to local environmental challenges.
The Future of Environmentalism at Incline Village Schools
As part of the recently awarded K12 STEM School Designation, Incline schools strive to connect educational initiatives from kindergarten to high school. These diverse programs are equipping students with the knowledge and creativity to tackle environmental challenges in the Tahoe Basin. Through these efforts, Incline schools are shaping a generation of environmentally conscious individuals who will play a key role in preserving Lake Tahoe’s pristine beauty. The work done in classrooms today will inspire future generations to lead the charge for a sustainable future in the region.
In The News – Are short-term rentals harming housing in the basin?
May 31, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 05/31/2025, Written by Eli Ramos
Short-term rentals (STRs) have been hotly contested in recent discussions of Measure T in South Lake Tahoe, but their presence in the Tahoe Basin has existed long before online platforms like VRBO and AirBnB. Are STRs really harming housing in the greater Lake Tahoe area? The nuanced answers to that question are what we’re diving into for this housing series article.
A brief history of short-term rentals
Short-term rentals, also called vacation home rentals (VHRs), have been around since the 1950s, providing a homey and often cheaper alternative to staying in hotels and motels. Currently, STRs are defined in the basin as properties that are rented for 30 days or less. While people used to advertise their own homes in newspaper ads, the establishment of online platforms like VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) in 1995 made listings even easier, boosting the popularity of STRs everywhere, but especially in vacation destinations like Tahoe.
