A Year In Profile

The 2019/2020 Annual Report is designed as a large format (8’’x36’’) print document. It has been converted here for digital viewing. If you would like a copy in its original format please email info@ tahoerimtrail.org and we will mail a copy to you.

A YEAR IN PROFILE - 2020 Annual Report Map

Dear Friends, Sometimes it’s the roughest trails that lead to the most beautiful vistas. As you’d imagine, 2020 has been rough. After an incredibly successful 2019 resulted in extra money in the bank, we excitedly planned for expanding our programming in 2020. We charged full steam ahead embarking on our most ambitious year yet. Then COVID happened. After an initial scramble to manage previously scheduled programming, we paused, took a deep breath, evaluated our situation, and made new plans for the year.

Unfortunately, our guided hiking programs bore the brunt of the pandemic burden. Hosting disparate groups of people from around the country in our vehicles, for shared meals, and camping out together was not possible while adhering to initial COVID-19 regulations from public health officials. Our youth backcountry camps, thru-hikes, segment hikes, skills courses, and public hikes, programs that raise critical funds for the organization, were canceled this year. Instead, our incredibly dedicated staff graciously switched gears, learned new skills, and set out on the trail to complete essential trail construction and maintenance work alongside our volunteer trail crews. We were able to keep these staff members employed on this critical work because of our reserve funding and support from generous donors and grantors in our time of need.

While some of our previously planned expansion was no longer an option once COVID hit, our strong financial position ensured we were able to weather the storm and address impacts that resulted from an explosion of use on the trail as everyone realized outdoors is the place to be! We created activities for kids quarantining at home, answered trail inquiries, increased online educational efforts, hosted online events, and completed major trail work projects.

The high points of our year included, as they always do, our incredible volunteers. Without the ability to host hundreds of volunteers, we regrouped and instead hosted smaller but more frequent workdays mainly comprised of our crew leaders and staff. By the end of the field season, the three major projects we hoped to complete this year, pre-COVID, are finished. Essential maintenance was also completed and planning work was implemented so that we can hit the ground running again once the snow melts in the spring.

There were some low points, the worst of which was the complete closure of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit in September. 2020 saw recordbreaking wildfires rage across the West darkening our skies, producing hazardous air conditions, and creating a situation so tenuous our partners at the US Forest Service closed the forest completely to protect public safety.

While the complete closure was temporary, overnight use was prohibited through November, effectively ending any fall thru-hiking plans. Not only is this incredibly disappointing for our organization and TRT users, but it also highlights how forest health issues will continue to impact the trail and our organization. As we plan our 2021 programs, we are brainstorming how to educate more trail users on fire safety as well as considering whether it is prudent to host overnight programs in late summer and fall.

2020 tested the resiliency of our organization but we were able to pivot in response to the pandemic and complete an incredibly productive year. This year’s Annual Report details the profile of our year, the highs and lows, and the epic points along the way. As you dive into the report, we hope you and your community are healthy and happy!

With gratitude,

Morgan Steel, Executive Director, and the TRTA Board and Staff

P.S. We look forward to commemorating our 40th anniversary in 2021. Fingers crossed, we’ll enjoy time on the trail together as we celebrate!

BOARD

President: Dave Schnake, Executive Vice President: Jim Cline, Treasurer: John McCall, Secretary: Michelle Glickert, Vice President of Trail Operations: Shannon Foley, Vice President of Trail Use: Carl Woods, Directors: Marissa Fox, Tom Fullerton, Joe Irvin, Ro Martinoni, John Singlaub, and Tricia Tong

STAFF

Executive Director: Morgan Steel, Deputy Director: Chris Binder, Development Manager: Veronica Palmer, Office Administrator: Laurie Buffington, Trail Crew Summer 2020: (Outdoor Programs Director) Lindsey Schultz, Trail Crew Summer 2020: (Youth Programs Manager) Julia Kaseta, Trail Operations Manager: Kristine Koran.

2019–2020 FINANCIALS

CONTRIBUTIONS OCTOBER 2019 to SEPTEMBER 2020 -

Anna Lijphart Anonymous Bader Al Qallaf Brenda and David Giese Bruce and Bettie Smith Carol and Ray Zelinski Carole Freeman and Sharon McBryde Carter and Emily Shoop Charles and Gail Greene Cheryl and Grady Kromer Christopher Warnock Cindy Scripps Colonel Edward L. Smith Danette Mohr David and Susan DeVoe David and Teresa Pritchard Denise Luckman-Eyer Dennis O. Morgan Eleanor Gimon Ellen Goldsmith Feibusch Foundation Gail Pledger and David Hatfield Ginger and Ron Mitchell Guy and Phyllis Conces Guy and Tracy Jaquier James T. and Cynthia Richardson Janice McNeilly Jim and Chris Russell John Connelly John McCall John and Diane Rettig Joseph and Lisa Downes Joseph Stuart and Nancy Wong Justin Knowles Kathleen Cheever-Bonfire and Mars Bonfire Keith and Marilyn Sanders Kevin and Nancy Cooper Kim and Mike Mardesich Kyle Neath Lance Olson Laura Brigham and Brian Beffort Laura O’Brien Mary Gillespie Melissa Monk Michael Eubanks Michelle Glickert Michelle Lam Mike and Alex Tonner Mike and Mary Frandsen Nancy Eichhorn Nancy Nolan Olander Family Foundation Paul and Edna Schumacher Pauline Kitagawa and Chris Iwata Ro Martinoni Robert and Kathleen Brunswick Ross and Rhonda Franke Sandra Taylor Sarah Patzman Shirley and David Allen Foundation Stephen Thompson Steve Foulke Steve, Leigh and Ryan Roop Steven and Christine Johnson Susan Brown Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association Traci Chee Tricia Tong Werner Family Fund William Stampley

IN-KIND DONORS - Ascent Environmental, Chris Alexander, Esri, Intuit, Kelly Kelso, Microsoft, Pauline Kitagawa, Randy Vogelsang, REI Reno, Sam and Jacquelyn Viviano, Twisted Oak Winery.

We also thank all of our $999 and below donors.

MEMORIAL DONATIONS

Bryan M Spano - Suzanne Spano, Diane McCall - Gary and Jeanne North, Harlan Hall -John Hudson, Jason Wintz - Gretchen Graybar, Marc Reynolds - Courtney Shepler, Perry Harris - Janet Harding, Renee Nishikawa - Jan Nishikawa, Sienna Rettig - Diana Godfrey & Alfred Yu & Harshul Sanghi, Tommy Lloyd-Davies - Jane Samson.

HONORARY DONATIONS

Chris Binder - Robert Hartmann, Dave DeVoe - Janise DeVoe, Helen Neff - Peter Dinell, John R. Bentz - Mariann Bentz & William Burleson, Nicholas Speal - Edward Speal, Nonno and Nomi - Giuliana Benedicty, Peter and Laura O’Brien - Alissa Binns, Shannon Foley -Christina Henson-Gills & Chris Gills, Shirley M. Monk - Melissa Monk.

GRANTORS

Andrew Family Foundation, California Alpine Club Foundation, Clif Bar Family Foundation, El Dorado Community Foundation, El Dorado RAC, Jack Van Sickle Foundation, Lake Tahoe Kiwanis Club Foundation, Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, Lana Vento Chartiable Trust, Pacific Crest Trail Association, Placer County Capital Projects Advisory Committee, Reddere Foundation, REI, Reno Rodeo Foundation, Soroptimist Int’l of South Lake Tahoe, State of Nevada Recreational Trails Program, Tahoe Fund, Tahoe League For Charity, Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation, Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, The Latrobe Fund, Truckee Tahoe Airport District, Vail Resorts.

MATCHING DONORS

AAA Ins., Aon Foundation, Apple Inc. Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Boeing, Chevron Matching Employee Funds, Deluxe Corporation, DocuSign, Fossil Group, Google, Inc., IBM Matching Grants Program, Intel Corporation, Intel Foundation, LinkedIn, Microsoft Matching Gifts Program, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Prudential Financial, State Farm Companies Foundation, Xerox Corporation.

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association works in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and the Nevada Division of State Parks.

A YEAR IN PROFILE