Originally published in the TRPA Newsletter, 07/18/2025, Written by Julie Regan

When you open your front door in Tahoe, you’re never far from a forested trail, a lake view, or an expansive meadow. Such access to nature is one of the basin’s greatest gifts, where residents and visitors find peace, connection, and play. While it may feel effortless, this abundance of public land didn’t happen by accident.

Fifty years ago, public access looked very different. In 1971, only 13.5 miles of Lake Tahoe’s 72-mile shoreline were publicly owned. Today, thanks to land acquisitions from willing sellers, that number has more than doubled to 34 miles. All told, roughly 90 percent of the Tahoe Basin is now protected public land for all to enjoy.

Though easy to take for granted, our right to enjoy it was recently challenged.

When language surfaced in a Senate reconciliation bill suggesting public lands could be sold, the outcry was swift. In a region where open space is a shared heritage, the idea of privatizing public lands struck a nerve. Thanks to a strong public response and congressional support, especially from U.S. Representative Kevin Kiley, the language was removed.

Public lands at Tahoe not only keep us healthy and feed our souls, but they also fuel our local economy. While we have many challenges facing our public lands today, including growing an ethos of care and stewardship, Lake Tahoe is a national model for fostering the triple bottom line where the environment, the economy, and communities collectively win. This moment has shown us that even 50 years of progress in land conservation is not written in stone—it requires ongoing effort.

This summer marks an important chapter in that effort. On August 6, the annual Tahoe Summit returns, gathering federal, state, Tribal, and local leaders to chart the future of restoration in the basin. Since the first Summit in 1997, the event has symbolized bipartisan commitment and regional collaboration to protect Lake Tahoe.

Born from that first Tahoe Summit, the Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) has become the engine behind conservation in the basin. Under TRPA’s leadership, more than 80 public and private organizations—collectively known as #TeamTahoe—have delivered 800 plus EIP projects over nearly three decades. These projects restore forests and watersheds, preserve habitats, and improve transportation and sustainable recreation. The work helps Lake Tahoe remain one of the clearest lakes on Earth.

Yet new threats continue to emerge. Aquatic invasive species—including those not in the lake, like the golden mussel—are a growing concern. While many assume that the risk lies with boats, these invaders can just as easily spread from kayaks and paddleboards without proper cleaning. Also critical is forest health, especially as hotter, drier seasons remind us just how fragile our forests are. Litter, erosion, and traffic congestion continue to demand our attention.

Tahoe’s progress in these areas has always come from collective action.

Destination Stewardship recognizes that residents, visitors, businesses, and agencies have a role to play. It means taking the shuttle to and from Emerald Bay, installing stormwater best management practices on your property, staying on designated trails, and leaving no trace. It means welcoming newcomers with guidance—by sharing the ways you care for Tahoe.

Because the right to enjoy public lands comes with a responsibility to protect them. We don’t have to care for these lands. We get to.

The upcoming 29th annual Tahoe Summit marks an opportunity to celebrate and amplify our work. Protecting public lands isn’t a one-time achievement, it’s a forever quest. I hope you’ll join me and keep us moving in the right direction.

Julie W. Regan is Executive Director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

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Photo: TRPA

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 07/22/2025, Submitted

Tahoe Forest Health System is proud to announce the launch of its Community Commitment website, a multi-faceted resource focused on promoting enhanced community engagement and detailing various initiatives created in response to recent community health needs assessments.    

The new website resource at TFHD.com/commitment reflects the TFHS Board of Directors’ updated priorities and aligns closely with the organization’s long-term goals for integrated, community-centered care. Recognizing that true health extends far beyond the hospital itself, TFHS developed the Community Commitment initiative to proactively engage and educate the public about health-related programs and community resources.

“At Tahoe Forest Health System, we are deeply committed to supporting an exceptionally healthy and thriving community,” said President and CEO, Anna Roth. “Guided by our strategic vision, we continue to develop and implement innovative, proactive community health initiatives that extend beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics.”

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Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 07/21/2025, Written by Kyler Klix

It’s the third year for Gambler’s Run Music Festival, hosted by the Crystal Bay Casino from Thursday July 24 to Saturday July 26. The indoor/outdoor festival brings 15 bands to the North Lake Tahoe venue to celebrate music, mountains, gambling and more. Attendees must be 21 and older.

General Manager Eric Roe said operations are running smoother after two years’ experience, and they are excited for what’s in store.

“It’s just another killer lineup,” he said.

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Originally published in the Sierra Sun, 07/21/2025, Written by Eli Ramos

Last Friday, the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) brought together speakers from Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), the Nevada County sheriff’s office and the Placer County sheriff’s office for their Lunch and Learn. The speakers aimed to keep people up to date on wildfire safety and preparedness.

Anne Rarick, COAD manager, spoke first on the role of COAD in the Tahoe-Truckee region. The organization works with local nonprofits, businesses, faith-based communities and the governmental partners to share information and address community needs during and after disasters.

Rarick said that the top five steps they have for disaster preparedness are as follows:

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Originally published in the Keep Tahoe Blue Newsletter, 07/19/2025

This year’s July 5th “Keep Tahoe Red, White & Blue” Cleanup showed something truly encouraging: cleaner beaches after the holiday. Thanks in part to our Tahoe Blue Beach program, proactive outreach, and individuals leaving Tahoe’s beaches better than they found them, 669 volunteers collected 26% less litter than last year from Tahoe’s shores and surrounding areas. 

The success of this July 5th tradition is about more than data. It’s about people —  from long-time residents to first-time visitors, coming together to protect the Lake. 

• Ashley Mau and Liz Gustafson drove up from Reno after seeing videos of wrecked beaches on social media in 2023. They didn’t join in Tahoe’s Fourth of July festivities, but wanted to help clean up afterward. 
• Julie, Nick, and Klay Abbatelli, campers at Zephyr Cove Resort, made volunteering part of their family vacation.  
• Heather and Steve Plumb and their kids, who were visiting Kings Beach with friends, have always wanted to come to Lake Tahoe for the Fourth of July weekend and attend the cleanup on July 5th. This year they did and even stuck around to help move bags of collected litter to dumpsters. 

Their stories and hundreds more like them show how powerful small actions can be to Keep Tahoe Blue. 

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 07/15/2025, Staff Report

In partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Music, Classical Tahoe presents Chamber Connections, an immersive residency for music students from the University of Nevada, Reno. Held from July 25 – 27, 2025, this residency is designed to elevate performance through direct collaboration with Classical Tahoe’s world-class musicians.

Over the course of three days, 14 students from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Music within the College of Liberal Arts will attend Classical Tahoe Festival concerts and participate in masterclasses led by Classical Tahoe musicians. Students will also have the opportunity to perform side-by-side with three faculty members from the University and twelve Classical Tahoe musicians, professionals from some of the nation’s top orchestras. This unique opportunity offers students invaluable feedback and guidance from Classical Tahoe’s seasoned professionals. In addition to this unique mentorship opportunity, students will attend the opening session with Classical Tahoe’s Principal Guest Conductor Eric Jacobsen, rehearsals, and “Beethoven Unbound” and “Music In Motion” concerts in late July.

“Chamber Connections provides a golden opportunity for Classical Tahoe to partner with our host institution: the University of Nevada, Reno,” said Laura Hamilton, Classical Tahoe artistic director. “We see it as a win-win for both organizations, for the professional musicians, advanced students and University of Nevada professors who will be participating. At the side-by-side concert on July 26, we will present three beautiful, interesting, and seldom-performed works for large chamber ensembles.”

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Photo: Tahoe Daily Tribune

The Reno Jazz Orchestra’s 2025 summer concerts will present A Tribute to Quincy Jones.  The first performance is on July 21; the show starts at 7:30 pm at Sand Harbor State Park and is part of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Partner Series. On July 22, the Tribute starts at 6:00 pm at the UNR Quad on campus; this is a free show presented by Artown. Tickets are available at RenoJazzOrchestra.org.

“Quincy Jones gave us gifts of everlasting memories and music that we will be honored to reignite on stage with our 17-piece orchestra and vocalist performing the best of his jazz, soul and pop vocals and award-winning compositions,” said Greg Johnson, Reno Jazz Orchestra’s Music Director.

For seven decades, Quincy Jones’s genius emerged as a master musician, composer, arranger and producer. His brilliance evolved performing with Lionel Hampton, traveling the world as Dizzy Gillespie’s music director, arranging for Count Basie and Frank Sinatra and producing Lesley Gore’s 1960s hits. 

Sharing the stage with the orchestra are vocalists Tashe and Danille Pollard who will open the show with “We Are the World” which is one of Quincy’s most historic recordings. Other tunes include “Soul Bossa Nova,” “I Can’t Stop Lovin’ You,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “The Midnight Never Sets,” and “Rock With You,” among other chart-topping hits.