The nonprofit Tahoe Fund has launched a new effort to create a $3 million endowment to generate enough funding to pay for annual trail work in the Tahoe region. The campaign, started with a $100,000 contribution from trail enthusiasts Chris and Viktoria McNamara, represents a long-term commitment to caring for Tahoe trails.
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically increased the strain on Tahoe’s trail system as people began spending more time outdoors. Despite stay-at-home orders, use of Tahoe’s trails exploded, with one trail counter at DL Bliss State Park recording higher usage in April 2020 than in July 2019. Since then, things have not slowed down.
Increased use puts stress on both the natural environment and land managers as trails and trailheads fill up. By generating a constant stream of funding to pay for ongoing trail work, Tahoe’s trail network will benefit from regular maintenance designed to ensure the trails are fun and erosion free.
Tahoe Fund is also working with its trail partners at the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association, Truckee Trails Foundation and public land managers to develop a Trails Master Plan that will outline priority ranking for trail work and allow everyone to think and plan long-term.
To help grow the endowment, an anonymous donor has offered to match every dollar donated up to $100,000. | tahoefund.org
