In May 2016, the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) hosted the Tahoe Trails Summit in South Lake Tahoe, CA. This three-day conference was on the heels of the Corral Trail Enhancement Project where Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) and TAMBA partnered with the U.S. Forest Service Tahoe District to build the Corral Trail that locals and tourists of all ages enjoy today. During this conference, SBTS presented our stewardship, volunteer and fundraising model to support and educate other trail nonprofits regionally and nationally. We also discussed the first visionary ideas of someday connecting the Tahoe/Truckee area to the Lost Sierra via a trail that all could use. And thanks to partners like the Truckee-Tahoe Lumber Company, what’s now become known as the Connected Communities Project is moving forward full steam ahead making this connection a reality.
“Assisting our local non-profit neighbors builds stronger, resilient, and more vibrant places to live and work. We believe that business prospers in thriving communities, and we are proud to give back and pay it forward” — TTL President & CEO Andrew Cross.
Truckee-Tahoe Lumber Company contacted SBTS in August and was immediately enthusiastic to donate and support the Project. As a large regional supplier of quality building products and innovative services at competitive prices for builders, homeowners and designers, they saw the Connected Communities Project as something they could support that directly benefits their customers who love the outdoors. Truckee Tahoe Lumber Company believes passionately in supporting a variety of non-profit and charitable benefit organizations in the communities they serve.
Truckee Tahoe Lumber joined the SBTS Partner Collective as a $10,000 Silver Level Partner and became part of other businesses and outdoor industry partners who are pledging $5,000 or more for three consecutive years to the Project. These donations directly support the Project including local job creation for adults and youth, watershed protection, and wildfire education and fuels reduction. And their donation fit perfectly with corporate philanthropy to support non-profits that serve children and families, the environment and nature, education, community wellness, building and construction trades/crafts, animal welfare, music and the arts, and other causes important to their employees and families.
The Truckee/Tahoe link to the Lost Sierra goes through Truckee via the 71-mile East Zone Connectivity Project. This will create a multi-use singletrack trail network for motorized and non-motorized use between Boca and Stampede reservoirs and Verdi Peak. Spearheaded by the Tahoe National Forest’s Truckee Ranger District, the East Zone Project will join into the Connected Communities network, creating new singletrack routes between Truckee, Sierraville and Loyalton. And when you combine that with existing Truckee/Tahoe trail networks, the multi-day exploration opportunities are limitless.
“We see our support of SBTS and the Connected Communities Project as a direct tie of bringing people together through environmentally responsible recreation on public lands in the town our business serves,” said TTL President and CEO Andrew Cross. “We are excited to get the Truckee connection going to the Lost Sierra so we can all enjoy expanded trail access!”
The East Zone Connectivity Trail Map – view larger
As the East Zone Project gains final environmental approval, the TTL team will be out there side-by-side with SBTS volunteers and local Truckee trail organizations to move dirt. We encourage you to sign-up for SBTS news notifications so you can see how you can help us build new trails in 2023!