Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan - taking care of Tahoe for generations to come

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Lake Tahoe means a lot of different things to the people who call the area home, those who visit, who recreate, and who work in the diverse types of businesses from north to south, east to west shores. It is an area of cultural, historical, and environmental contrasts through the two states and five counties that surround its 72-mile circumference.

Just like tourist and recreation destinations across the country, Lake Tahoe experienced an influx of both outdoor recreationists and new residents in 2020 and 2021. Those seeking outdoor experiences during the pandemic and subsequent remote workforce sought places of heaven in small mountain communities.

How to manage the needs of residents and tourists, while also trying to solve a lack of affordable housing came to the forefront, so multiple agencies around Lake Tahoe got together to find solutions on keeping better care of Tahoe, and they involved many others.

The Tahoe region has come together to create the new Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan. The first of its kind, this plan outlines a strategy to better manage outdoor recreation and tourism in the region and unites the community behind one clear idea: taking care of Tahoe for generations to come.

During a press conference at Round Hill Pines Resort on Tuesday, nearly twenty Lake Tahoe destination management, land management, and non-profit organizations were on hand to launch the plan with the signing of an agreement to create the first destination stewardship council for the greater Tahoe region.

Over 3,000 residents, visitors, and businesses contributed to this effort by participating in surveys, interviews, and workshops. The input received from these events directly informed the 32 actions outlined in the Lake Tahoe Stewardship Plan released Tuesday.

The plan outlines a comprehensive framework and sets in motion action priorities to better manage outdoor recreation and tourism and ensure the sustainability and preservation of an iconic natural treasure and its local community.

It has four strategic pillars:

Foster a tourism economy that gives back
Turn a shared vision into shared action
Advance a culture of caring for the greater Lake Tahoe region
Improve the Tahoe experience for all

Each of the pillars encompasses a major goal along with objectives and priority action steps to achieve it. (See plan here)

By putting this plan into action, the region is reinforcing its commitment to responsible recreation and tourism practices and ensuring that Lake Tahoe is truly a place for all to enjoy.

By implementing this plan, member organizations, and Lake Tahoe communities will reinforce their commitment to responsible recreation and tourism practices, ensuring the continued enjoyment of this national treasure for generations to come.

“At its heart, this plan is about taking care of Tahoe for generations to come,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “With the entire region putting this strategy into action, we will be able to build a sustainable future for the Lake Tahoe environment that everyone can enjoy.”

"This plan responds to the need to balance a robust tourism economy, a fragile environment, and thriving local communities,” said Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “And the collaboration and commitment by our lakewide partners to achieve that balance is extraordinary and powerful towards achieving our shared vision."

Residents and visitors will see the stewardship program working as soon as this summer. Key programs include Take Care Ambassadors at recreation sites and trailheads, expanded litter clean-ups, solar compacting trash cans, and coordinated stewardship education campaigns focused on visitors and outdoor recreation users.

The region created this shared vision to address these critical challenges and improve the Tahoe experience – for all – through a comprehensive, collaborative approach. This shared vision was shaped over the past year by extensive public engagement, research tools and approaches, and a thorough analysis of how Tahoe’s famed tourism and outdoor recreation experience impacts the region. This vision represents the desired outcome of the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan.

Guiding Principals

1. Collaboration and collective action are critical to the success of this destination stewardship plan and for the Tahoe region to thrive into the future.

2. As the Tahoe region’s primary economic engine, tourism must be nurtured and shaped to support the well-being of its communities, visitors, businesses, natural environment, and cultures.

3. It is everyone’s responsibility to safeguard and improve Lake Tahoe and its surrounding lands and forests.

4. To protect the quality of the Tahoe experience, it is vital to manage use while providing opportunities for all to enjoy it.

“The launch of the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan represents a significant step forward in preserving the natural beauty and cultural heritage of this beloved destination,” said Tony Karwowski, President and CEO of the North Tahoe Community Alliance. “It demonstrates the commitment and partnership of the local community, government agencies, and tourism industry to safeguard Lake Tahoe's future.”

As the Tahoe region’s primary economic engine, tourism must be nurtured and shaped to support the wellbeing of its communities, visitors, businesses, natural environment, and cultures,” said Erick Walker, forest supervisor of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Forest. “It is everyone’s responsibility to safeguard and improve Lake Tahoe and its surrounding lands, tributaries and forests. To protect the quality of the Tahoe experience, it is vital to manage use while providing opportunities for all to enjoy it.”

“The culmination of this plan and creation of Tahoe’s first destination stewardship council underscore the commitment we all share to a brighter future where the lake, our communities and visitors, and the backbone of our regional economy can thrive together,” Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Executive Director Julie Regan said. “The diverse makeup of our region has put Lake Tahoe on the forefront of collaborative conservation and today that spirit of partnership is taking us forward to be a model for sustainable recreation and tourism as well.”