Doubling Our Impact in 2024
As we gear up for our summer operations, we are working diligently with local organizations and nonprofits throughout the Basin to focus our cleanup initiatives at recreation hotspots and double our impact in 2024.
In 2023, we added a second BEBOT and began cleaning full beaches, powered by support from partners at Keep Tahoe Blue, Tahoe Beach Club, and City of South Lake Tahoe. The BEBOT detected and removed more than 10,000 pieces of tiny trash hidden beneath the sand that would otherwise find a permanent home in the Lake.
Through strategic collaboration with more partners, including public and private landowners, we aim to extend our cleanup initiatives across the entire lake, with the long-term goal of reaching every shoreline.
Thank you for all the support you have shown us and your community this past year. We are looking forward to reaching new milestones in 2024!
Doubling Our Impact
We collected over 10,000 pieces of litter in 2023, from above and below the sand across 5 public & private beaches in Lake Tahoe. We plan to double, if not triple that collection number in 2024, expanding our efforts to more public and private beaches throughout the basin.
Summer Cleanup Initiative: Testing Our Impact
We will conduct comprehensive beach cleanups at the beginning and end of the summer season at each selected location. These efforts will not only help us reach our collection goal, but also serve as a unique opportunity to assess the effectiveness of our litter mitigation strategies.
Educational Outreach: Empowering Change
In addition to our cleanup initiatives, we are expanding our educational and outreach efforts through community events and educational workshop events. Through community engagement and educational programs, we aim to inspire locals and visitors to take small actions everyday that collectively make a significant impact in protecting Lake Tahoe.
New Partnerships in 2024
The North Tahoe Community Alliance has awarded our project expansion grant funding through the TOT-TBID Dollars At Work. As part of their Community Vitality and Economic Health Investment Program, this locally generated revenue by visitors of North Lake Tahoe is reinvested back into the local community.
We are excited to deploy in the North Lake Tahoe region to accomplish the shared mission of destination stewardship. Through community outreach efforts, we can create lasting change for both residents and visitors, keeping highly impacted beaches beautiful for years to come.
Learn more about the NTCA grant program here
Expansion of PixieDrone Deployment in the Tahoe Keys
PixieDrone is a battery-powered, autonomous and programmable, motorized skimmer that glides across the water’s surface, gathering debris and invasive weed fragments.
We'll be introducing a second PixieDrone into the Tahoe Keys this summer to remove floating fragments of aquatic invasive species, preventing these harmful invaders from starting new infestations in the Lake.
In addition to collecting invasive weeds and plastic trash destined to become microplastics, PixieDrone can also clean up gas spills and be fitted with scientific equipment to assess water quality. Stay tuned for the PixieDrone expansion happening this May! Learn more at: https://www.keeptahoeblue.org/combat-pollution/pixiedrone/
Join a Tahoe Blue Crew and help create a #litterfree Tahoe
The Potlatch Blue Crew joined the Keep Tahoe Red, White, & Blue July 5th beach cleanup at Kings Beach, CA in 2023.
Our partners at Keep Tahoe Blue are hosting an online training to start your very own #TahoeBlueCrew!
Register now for this 45-minute, online #TahoeBlueCrew training on Wednesday, February 7, from 5:30 - 6:15pm. Get ready to adopt your Tahoe happy place and keep it beautiful!
Visit keeptahoeblue.org/events to save your spot. If you can’t attend this one, there are monthly trainings!
Ways to get involved in 2024:
There are many ways you can get involved and help us achieve our mission of creating a #litterfree Tahoe:
Join Our Cleanups:
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay in the know for upcoming community clean up events! Participating in local beach cleanup events directly contributes to our mission.
Spread the Word:
Share our mission with your friends, family, and social networks, encouraging others to join the cause and support the collective efforts to #keeptahoeblue
Educate and Advocate:
Engage in conversations about sustainable practices and show others how simple actions can make an impact. Reduce use of single -use plastics, bring reusable bags to the grocery store, and leave no trace by picking up litter you see on trails and beaches (even if it’s not yours), these actions go a long way!
These goals remind us of the collective responsibility it takes to protect beautiful places like Tahoe for future generations. Thank you to our local partners and community members for your unwavering support. Your collaboration is the beating heart that fuels our mission.
Here's to a year ahead filled with exciting milestones, shared victories, and meaningful impact in 2024!
