On August 9, the 27th Annual Lake Tahoe Summit was the return of an event with immense significance for local communities and environmental enthusiasts.

Hosted by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, it highlighted Tahoe’s Environmental Improvement Program and brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, leaders, and advocates to celebrate the current state of Lake Tahoe and past achievements in protecting the Jewel of the Sierra. Presenters included Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Representatives Kevin Kiley and John Garamendi, and Senators Jackie Rosen and Catherine Cortez-Masto.

Tahoe’s EIP is a bipartisan, bi-state collaboration between local, state, federal, and private groups designed to bring awareness and funding to the imperiled Lake Tahoe region. Senator Padilla has been a consistent champion for the region, having hosted the Summit in 2021 and brought the event online during the Covid-19 pandemic. Fellow presenters gathered to echo his sentiment about climate-based concerns.

Discussions during the summit centered on strategies to enhance climate resilience in the Lake Tahoe region. Stakeholders acknowledged the interconnectedness of the lake, forests, and surrounding communities and emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to sustainability.

Through our outreach booth, Sierra Nevada Alliance staff and volunteers were fortunate for the opportunity to speak with the public about our critical work to care for the region we all know and love while building relationships and giving our Lake Tahoe Ambassadors ample training opportunities. We look forward to next year’s summit and are grateful to all groups who helped make this important day a success.