A Vital Marsh Restoration Effort Takes Shape in South Lake Tahoe

A major restoration effort is gaining momentum in South Lake Tahoe as plans move forward to revive the Upper Truckee Marsh, one of the most important watersheds for protecting the lake’s famed clarity.

With the former Motel 6, restaurant, and parking lot now demolished, the Tahoe Fund has launched a new fundraising effort called “A Million for the Marsh.” The campaign aims to raise the first $1 million in private donations to help secure public funding needed by the California Tahoe Conservancy for the next phase of restoration.

“California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot called the acquisition and demolition of this site ‘the most important in a generation to protect Lake Tahoe,’ and we couldn’t agree more,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “This campaign shows our community is ready to bring this marsh back to life.”

The 31-acre property was acquired in March 2024 through a partnership that included the Conservancy, the California Wildlife Conservation Board, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Tahoe Fund, and the League to Save Lake Tahoe. Donor support — including major contributions from the Latrobe Foundation and the Robert S. & Dorothy J. Keyser Foundation — provided more than $200,000 to help complete demolition this fall.

Restoration of the marsh will improve water quality, expand wildlife habitat, and boost the long-term resilience of Lake Tahoe.

“This is a once-in-a-generation chance to return a developed property to a thriving wetland,” said Jason Vasques, executive director of the Conservancy.

Learn more or donate to the campaign at tahoefund.org/millionforthemarsh.