Editor:

This letter was sent to the Board of Directors of Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, which consists of Coralin Glerum, Mark Sasway, Stephanie Lenstrom, Tara Christian, Kevin Willits, and Kathy Ebert

We are a group of long-time LTWC staff, volunteers and members, extending back to the days when the doors were first opened.  We have serious concerns regarding the current management of the non-profit as well as the welfare of the remaining resident wildlife.

  • LTWC staff no longer responds to calls regarding injured or orphaned wildlife. Callers are told you have lost your certification to rescue animals through the California Department of Fish & Wildlife.  Quite often, the phone is never answered at all.  Lacking a qualified local rescue facility, animals now must be taken to Placerville, Auburn, or further. When ‘baby season’ happens in a few months, this problem will become compounded many times over.
  • Educational programs are now minimal. LTWC no longer has a presence in our public schools, which was a mainstay of the program for many years.
  • Volunteers who have collectively spent thousands of hours working at the facility were suddenly locked out last spring, with no explanation. Some volunteers have left over allegations regarding mistreatment and a hostile work environment.  This also leads to concerns about your fiduciary responsibility since the expenditures for paid staff have increased significantly over the same time period.
  • Webcams have been out of service for months.
  • Members of the public are blatantly refused entry to your Board of Directors meetings, giving the appearance that there is no transparency or accountability to the public who have long supported the organization with millions of dollars. E-malls, letters and phone calls to the Board and Executive Director Catherine Mendez have gone unanswered since June.
  • Your website states “While some have voiced concerns online and in the media, we welcome constructive dialogue.” Why have letters, e-mails, and phone calls expressing concerns gone unanswered?  Why are ‘cease and desist” letters being sent to community members questioning your actions?

As individuals who have supported LTWC through volunteerism and significant donations, we are requesting that you provide the opportunity to have these concerns addressed in a public forum immediately.   Since neither the staff nor the Directors have been forthcoming to date, it is time to be transparent with the community which has supported you for so long. Whitewashed guest editorials to local media do not begin to answer our questions.

Signatories:

Denise Upton, former LTWC Board President and former Animal Care Director & Educational Coordinator

Kathay Lovell, former South Lake Tahoe Mayor and former LTWC Board Member

Sue Novasel, former El Dorado County Supervisor and former LTWC Board Member

Linda Mueller, former LTWC Board member and long-term supporter

Bruce Richards, large LTWC donor, volunteer project manager for Al Tahoe Site, large donor fundraiser

Dave Santori, long-term volunteer/supporter/educational assistant

Michelle Harvey, former LTWC Wildlife Technician and Ambassador Team Caregiver

Teresa Bertrand, former LTWC volunteer

Leona Allen, wildlife advocate and long-time LTWC donor