$30,000 grant expands Keep Tahoe Blue programs

A $30,000 Tahoe Community Foundation grant will broaden Keep Tahoe Blue’s work with lake users, local families, young people and volunteers. The nonprofit combines research, public learning and community participation to care for Tahoe. It was among four groups chosen for a special award commemorating the foundation’s 30th anniversary.

A major priority is keeping harmful aquatic organisms out of Tahoe. The Eyes on the Lake program shows people how to notice and report potential problems. Related efforts include conversations with recreation users, instruction for marina and outdoor-business workers, public information, and complimentary wash sites for paddlecraft and other vessels without motors. The goal is to lower the risk of species such as golden mussels entering the lake and diminishing its clarity.

The funding also assists Tahoe Blue Schools and learning at the Spurlock/Evers Environment & Education Center. Field outings and practical activities introduce students and visitors to the lake’s ecosystem. Cleanup participants document the quantity and kinds of debris they collect, while Tahoe Blue Crew volunteers also report possible environmental hazards. Keep Tahoe Blue applies those community observations to address waste at its origin, promote limits on disposable plastic drink bottles, and fund studies investigating where microplastics come from.