Simplified and Passion Focused

Local community foundation, formerly known as Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation, is updating its name to Tahoe Community Foundation to better reflect its work in supporting Tahoe communities. As part of its continued commitment to serving the Lake Tahoe region with clarity, connection, and purpose, the organization is simplifying its name to Tahoe Community Foundation and unveiling a refreshed brand identity.

While the simplified name brings more clarity to its role, the Community Foundation’s core values and commitment to kindness and philanthropy remain the same.  There have been no changes made to current board members, staff, or committee members.  Most importantly, the Community Foundation remains dedicated to its donors, grantees, partners, and the region.  “The decision to rebrand follows a period of careful consideration and strategic planning,” says CEO, Claudia Andersen. “Our passion and core values remain the same.  This new name simply helps us tell our story more clearly and to reach more people with our work.”

In collaboration with local designers and a committee of local volunteers, the organization was able to establish a refreshed brand identity that will bring visual strength and recognition to Tahoe Community Foundation.  Built on the principles of the golden ratio, the new logo symbolizes balance, consistency, and trust, and represents bringing sustainability to Tahoe communities in perpetuity.  The organization’s new tagline – Elevating Generosity – conveys that they exist to inspire people to be more charitable and to elevate Tahoe communities through kindness.

The Community Foundation continues to deepen its commitment to helping donors make confident and meaningful investments in their community. As the Community Foundation expands its programs, building on the $137M in grants that have been awarded to nonprofit organizations, more individuals and families are turning to the Community Foundation as a partner in their giving.

By simplifying its name, Tahoe Community Foundation is able to strengthen its ability to serve as a trusted partner and resource for the region, focusing on who they are and what they do, and Elevating Generosity in Tahoe and beyond.

 To learn more about Tahoe Community Foundation, visit www.TahoeCF.org.

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About Tahoe Community Foundation 

Tahoe Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating community philanthropy, serving as a resource for donors to make confident and meaningful investments in their community, and offering nonprofit organizations support, insight, and strategy. Tahoe Community Foundation is a pillar in the community, serving to create meaningful and lasting impact, and to Elevate Generosity in Tahoe and beyond.

Natalie Erquiaga

Submitted by TRPA, May 1, 2025

Three months ago, the devastation of the LA wildfires unfolded as flames spread from the chaparral into the neighborhoods of Palisades and Altadena. Living in Tahoe, residents face similar risks, and a team of Lake Tahoe fire, forestry, and conservation agencies say communities here have the chance now to significantly lower the risk of another catastrophic wildfire. The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) is calling on every resident and property owner in the Tahoe Basin to help them protect Lake Tahoe and has the know-how to help you Get Defensive.

Living in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) means choosing to live next to or within forested areas – beautiful, yet vulnerable. That proximity increases the threat to people and homes in the event of a major wildfire.

Local fire agencies and land managers are making major strides to reduce these risks by conducting fuels reduction projects in the wildland-urban interface, like prescribed burns and tree thinning. These projects promote forest health and help minimize the amount of flammable vegetation. The TFFT is a collaborative partnership of local, state, regional, and federal organizations leading this work. The team works together to plan, fund, and implement forest health and wildfire mitigation projects across jurisdictional boundaries, making the region more fire-resilient at a landscape scale and has treated more than 99,000 acres in the Lake Tahoe Basin to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health.

But creating a resilient Tahoe is a shared responsibility – so what can residents do?

As we’ve seen in recent wildfires, wind can carry embers miles ahead of the main flames. These embers will ignite smaller fires when they land on anything flammable, whether that’s piles of dry pine needles near homes or landing inside attic vents, which is more common that you might think. Creating and maintaining defensible space (the buffer between the house and flammable vegetation) and home hardening (using fire-resistant materials on homes) are critical steps homeowners can take to reduce risk. With summer around the corner, it’s the perfect time to rake pine needles, access free curbside chipping services from local fire agencies, and sign up for evacuation alerts and prepare go-bags in the case of an evacuation. This work is critical and TFFT agencies are providing the support needed to prepare Lake Tahoe for the next wildfire.

While these tasks can feel overwhelming when done alone, TFFT partners are here to help.

That’s where programs like Fire Adapted Communities and Firewise USA neighborhoods come in. Under the guidance of a neighborhood leader or leadership committee, Fire Adapted Communities work together to host defensible space workdays, prepare evacuation plans, and share wildfire preparedness tips and resources. Firewise USA is a nationally recognized program that operates within the framework of Fire Adapted Communities to create fire-resilient neighborhoods. Like Fire Adapted Communities, Firewise USA neighborhoods create three-year action plans and annual work reports in addition to hosting annual workdays. Becoming a Firewise USA neighborhood may assist in keeping or lowering the rates of your fire insurance. From workdays to barbecues and block parties, these programs foster a connected and prepared community.

In the Tahoe Basin, these programs are supported by the Tahoe Resource Conservation District and local fire agencies. Neighborhood leaders in existing Fire Adapted Communities and Firewise USA neighborhoods offer guidance, resources, and encouragement to help others get started. As wildfire intensity across the state increases, it’s natural to feel anxious. But being a part of a community that’s actively working to reduce wildfire impacts can bring peace of mind. As wildfire patterns shift, community-driven adaptation is becoming more important than ever.

To join or start a Fire Adapted Community or Firewise USA neighborhood, visit Tahoe Living With Fire for more information, or contact the Fire Adapted Communities Program at the Tahoe Resource Conservation District by calling 530-543-1501 ext. 114 or emailing fire@tahoercd.org.

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About the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team consists of representatives of Tahoe Basin fire agencies, CAL FIRE, Nevada Division of Forestry and related state agencies, University of California and Nevada Cooperative Extensions, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the USDA Forest Service, conservation districts from both states, the California Tahoe Conservancy and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. Our Mission is to protect lives, property and the environment within the Lake Tahoe Basin from wildfire by implementing prioritized fuels reduction projects and engaging the public in becoming a Fire Adapted Community.

For more information, visit Tahoe Living With Fire.

Written by Tierney Cahill, Submitted by Mary Danahey, 04/27/2025

Christina Zhakov Takes 1st Place at Nevada History Day!
 Please join us in congratulating Christina Zhakov on her 1st place victory in the Senior Paper category at Nevada History Day! Her powerful and deeply researched paper, “Treaty of Ruby Valley: A Precedent for the U.S. Abuse of Power Against the Western Shoshone,” earned her the top honor in the state.

Christina is now eligible to represent Nevada at National History Day, held at the University of Maryland, College Park, from June 8–12, 2025. 

Congratulations to Jesus “Beto”  Aguirre Gomez – 2025 Bank of America Student Leader!

Incline High School’s own Jesus Aguirre Gomez has been selected as a 2025 Bank of America Student Leader—one of just 315 students chosen nationwide from over 12,000 applicants!

This prestigious honor recognizes students who are passionate about improving their communities and demonstrating leadership. As a Student Leader, Jesus will complete an 8-week paid internship with a local nonprofit this summer and attend the Bank of America Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., July 21–26.

This week, between April 21 and April 27, local residents can enjoy delicious and unique dining experiences as part of Incline Village Crystal Bay Restaurant Week. 

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe will be providing two special dining experiences for the Restaurant Week. 

The resort’s Osteria Sierra will offer a special tasting menu showcasing Northern Italian cuisine. It will include a smoked veal loin antipasti, a primi course of truffle and stracciatella raviolo, and a secondi course of saffron seafood tomato broth with grilled octopus tentacle, steamed mussel, and seared shrimp and branzino. The meal will conclude with a white chocolate panna cotta dessert topped with a cherry compote and meringue.

Additionally, the resort’s Cutthroat’s Saloon is serving a Lone Eagle legacy lunch featuring popular dishes including a French onion soup, ahi tuna poke, Sierra Nevada Cubano sandwich, and a Durham Ranch American bison burger.

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 04/14/2025, Submitted

Following the success of last year’s pilot program, Nevada State Parks is fully implementing day-use reservations at Sand Harbor State Park starting tomorrow, April 15, 2025. The reservation system is designed to improve the visitor experience, reduce congestion, and protect the park’s stunning natural environment.

Reservations will now be required daily during peak season, from April 15 to October 15, for entry by vehicle from park opening at 8 a.m. through 10:30 a.m. Visitors arriving during this time must secure a reservation in advance at ReserveNevada.com.

After 10:30 a.m., any unclaimed reservation spots will be released to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Originally published in Lake Tahoe This Week, 03/30/2025, Written by Kirsten Alexis

Spring is officially here, and that means we have a short window to prepare for the high tourist season in the Tahoe-Truckee region. With warmer weather and longer hours of sunshine come more opportunities to explore a vast network of hiking trails, relax on stunning sandy beaches and recreate on our favorite blue lake. 

However, summer brings a notorious increase in traffic, air pollution, trash on the trails and lakeshore, and even litter in our beloved lake.

It’s a complex issue, as the region relies heavily on tourism. But the fragile ecosystem can only be pushed to its limits so far, and locals and visitors are worried that we may be coming to a point of no return unless we take swift action. 

Photo: TAMBA’s passionate volunteers help create and maintain multi-use trails in the region. Photo Credit: TAMBA

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Originally Published in the Sierra Sun, 03/15/2025, Submitted

Tahoe Forest Health System has been recognized with three prestigious Women’s Choice Awards for 2025, reflecting its unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care and clinical excellence. The hospital has been honored in the following categories:

• America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience: Out of 957 hospitals in the small hospital size category, Tahoe Forest Hospital ranks #39, placing it in the top 100 hospitals nationwide for patient experience, a testament to its dedication to providing outstanding care and ensuring patient satisfaction.
• Top 1% in Obstetrics: The hospital’s obstetric services have been recognized for excellence, placing it in the top 1% of hospitals offering obstetrics nationwide out of 4,675 hospitals. This accolade underscores the hospital’s commitment to providing high-quality care for mothers and newborns.
• Top 3% in Emergency Care: Tahoe Forest Hospital’s emergency department has been acknowledged for its exceptional performance, ranking in the top 3 percent of hospitals offering emergency care services nationwide out of 4,675 hospitals. This award highlights the hospital’s dedication to delivering timely and effective emergency medical services.

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