Public Input Sought for Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan

Lake Tahoe, CA/NV – An unprecedented collaboration of public and private sector organizations in the greater Tahoe region are inviting residents, community members, and stakeholders interested in sustainable management of outdoor recreation and tourism to take part in an online survey and public workshops later this month. The online survey and registration for public workshops October 25 and 26 are open now at www.StewardshipTahoe.org.

The survey and workshops will add to input received at public workshops held in May that is helping create a destination stewardship plan that will balance the needs of Lake Tahoe’s environment, businesses, visitors, and local communities. Participants will help identify opportunities for increasing the direct benefits of tourism and recreation, while addressing the challenges, all toward creating the plan’s vision and mission statements and key goals.

“The Destination Stewardship workshop was a great opportunity for my voice to be heard and to make a positive impact on the community,” said South Shore community member Kelly Lutz.

“I loved working with my neighbors on issues that we all care passionately about, and learning about the region’s goals for the future.”

A collaborative group of 15 organizations is leading the project including federal, state, county and local governmental organizations, as well as nonprofits and destination organizations that market and manage Lake Tahoe area tourism.

“As a long-time retail shop owner and small business advocate, these workshops let me provide input that will protect our way of life, and the places we love to recreate,” said Becky Bell, co-owner of Sierra Ski and Cycle Works and project manager for the Lake Tahoe Water Trail.

To ensure the plan supports a shared vision for recreation and tourism, it will draw inspiration from a diverse range of stakeholders including the Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada.

Additional Spanish language workshops are planned this year as well.

All are encouraged to take the survey and/or choose a workshop from one of the following dates, locations, and times:

● October 25 – Incline Village, Nev. – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

● October 25 – Kings Beach, Calif. – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

● October 26 – Lake Tahoe Community College, South Lake Tahoe, Calif. – 11:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m.

● October 26 – Lake Tahoe Community College, South Lake Tahoe, Calif. – 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Respond, register, and find out more at www.StewardshipTahoe.org.

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Images:

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Provided by: CREST

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Caption: Mountain bikers take in the view above Lake Tahoe.
Provided by: Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority

Project Background

The growing need to address challenges related to outdoor recreation and tourism has led an

unprecedented group of public and private sector organizations to improve coordination and

management of outdoor recreation and tourism in the greater Lake Tahoe region. The partners

listed here are collaborating, gathering public input, and enlisting the help of experts to

establish the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan.

● California Tahoe Conservancy

● City of South Lake Tahoe

● El Dorado County

● Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority

● Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

● North Lake Tahoe Resort Association

● Reno Tahoe Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority

● Tahoe Fund

● Tahoe Prosperity Center

● Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

● Travel North Tahoe Nevada

● USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

● Washoe County

● Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California

● Visit Truckee-Tahoe

About CREST and Consulting Team

Managing Partner: CREST

The Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) is a global nonprofit organization based in

Washington, DC dedicated to increasing the positive global impact of responsible tourism.

CREST provides evidence-based research and analysis to governments, policymakers, tourism

businesses, nonprofit organizations, and international agencies to solve the most pressing

problems confronting tourism: responding to the climate crisis, conserving biodiversity and

cultural heritage, addressing overtourism, and narrowing the wealth gap.

Co-Managing Partner: The Travel Foundation

The Travel Foundation is a leading global sustainable tourism organization that works in

partnership with governments, businesses, and communities to develop and manage tourism to

maximize its benefits for communities and the environment. Founded in 2003, it has since

worked in over 30 countries around the world to create better futures for tourism destinations,

accelerating change towards a more balanced tourism model through advocacy, training,

demonstrating good practice, and enabling collaboration between the many tourism

stakeholders.

Lead Strategist: Better Destinations

Better Destinations is a consultancy founded on a belief that healthy visitor economies grow

from addressing a holistic range of considerations and engaging stakeholders in shaping

destination priorities. The consultancy draws upon CEO Cathy Ritter’s decade of experience as

state tourism director for both Colorado and Illinois and record of creating insight-led solutions.

Economic Strategists: SMG Consulting & TPS Consulting

SMG Consulting has pioneered the use of economic modeling, scenario planning and

asymmetric thinking in tourism and recreation industry strategy development including a wide

range of services designed to create value and improve the competitiveness of destinations.

Triple Point Strategic Consulting to provide data-driven marketing, strategic planning, and

business analysis in a variety of sectors throughout the Western U.S. and Canada. Triple Point is

frequently retained to develop economic forecasts and financial models.

Strategic Funding Consultant & Counsel: Civitas

Civitas’ founder was the primary author of the Property and Business Improvement District Law

of 1994 and assisted with the creation of the first property-based improvement districts in

California. The Civitas team’s innovative funding mechanisms have generated nearly $2 billion

for over 150 clients globally. The team delivers unequaled knowledge, depth and experience to

destinations and communities that seek sustainable funding solutions to fuel their futures.