SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — The California Tahoe Conservancy (Conservancy) Board has approved $850,000 in grants to address the threat of aquatic invasive plants and enhance public access and recreation. The Board also approved the Conservancy to acquire a parcel of environmentally sensitive land in South Lake Tahoe, and discussed and took action on multiple Conservancy projects.

At its meeting, which took place on March 19 and 20 in South Lake Tahoe, the Board also elected new officers.

Grant Funding for Aquatic Invasive Plants, Recreation and Public Access

The Conservancy Board approved the following grants:

• $600,000 to Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) to survey for and control aquatic invasive plants in Lake Tahoe wetlands. This work is critical to restore the largest remaining marshes and wetlands on Lake Tahoe’s south and west shores.
• $200,000 in Tahoe for All Grants: $110,000 to Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) for the Wilderness Education-Washoe Partnership Program, $60,000 to the City of Richmond for the Pathfinders: Youth Outdoors Program, and $30,000 to the Golden Gate Bird Alliance for the Birding for Everyone Fellowship. The grantees—LTCC, City of Richmond, and Golden Gate Bird Alliance—will provide opportunities for underserved people to develop leadership and naturalist skills, explore environmental career pathways, and experience the health benefits of spending time outdoors at Lake Tahoe.
• $50,000 to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency to assess public recreation sites and zones on the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Environmentally Sensitive Land Acquisition

The Board approved the Conservancy to acquire a 1.9-acre property at 3621 Blackwood Road in South Lake Tahoe. The property is in the Bijou Park Creek watershed, contains mountain meadow and wetland habitat, and is adjacent to Conservancy and USDA Forest Service land. Bijou Park Creek runs through the property. The Board approved up to $440,000 for the Conservancy to acquire the property and to demolish and remove a small shed, a generator, and fencing.

Conservancy Restoration and Public Access and Recreation Projects

At the same meeting, the Board discussed multiple Conservancy projects:

• Upper Truckee Marsh South project: The Conservancy is exploring ideas for wetland restoration, public access improvements, and vegetation management along the Upper Truckee River and its floodplain near U.S. Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe, including the site of the former Motel 6.
• Upper Truckee River, Reach 6 Restoration Project: The Conservancy plans to address past impacts from development, grazing, and fire suppression by rehabilitating meadow surfaces, removing conifers, and stabilizing riverbanks on Conservancy land near Elks Club Road in El Dorado County. The Project will increase climate resilience, enhance wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and improve water quality.
• Van Sickle Bi-State Park Improvements: The Conservancy proposes public access and recreation improvements for the California side of the park. Planned improvements include new sections of shared-use trail, a new entrance plaza, new picnic areas, and other features.

The Board also authorized the Conservancy to accept and expend up to $8 million in state, federal, and other funding to implement the Upper Truckee River, Reach 6 Project.

Also at the meeting, the Board members elected Placer County Supervisor Cindy Gustafson as Board Chair, to succeed Assembly Public Member Adam Acosta. El Dorado County Supervisor Brooke Laine takes over as Vice-Chair for the Board.The Board also discussed 2025 accomplishments by the Conservancy and its partners.