LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Lake Spirit Awards, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to Lake Tahoe’s natural environment. The health of the Lake Tahoe Region depends on collaboration between community members, volunteers, scientists, and public officials.

“The Lake Spirit Awards are an opportunity for the community to honor the people who are helping protect Lake Tahoe, often behind the scenes,” TRPA Executive Director Julie Regan said. “A culture of stewardship permeates the Tahoe Basin, and we should recognize individuals who embody this spirit.”

Nominations are open to the public through September 30 and may be submitted online at trpa.gov/awards/lakespirit. Winners will be formally recognized by the TRPA Governing Board later this year.

The Lake Spirit Awards include three nomination categories:

Citizen

Agency Representative/Environmental Scientist

Lifetime Achievement

Multiple recipients from around the region will be selected in each category.

Since the first Lake Spirit Awards in 2011, TRPA has recognized over 40 individuals whose work has contributed to tangible environmental benefits across the Tahoe Basin. Awardees are selected based on the strength of their contributions and ability to engage others in protecting the lake. Some recent Lake Spirit award winners are listed below.

Call for Nominations for the Best in Basin Awards

In addition to the biennial Lake Spirit Awards, TRPA holds the Best in Basin Awards every other year to recognize projects and programs that demonstrate exceptional environmental design and stewardship of Lake Tahoe. Now is the time to nominate projects completed in 2024 or 2025 for the Best in Basin Awards to be announced in May 2026. Submit a nomination at trpa.gov/awards/bestinbasin.

Past Lake Spirit Award Winners

Citizens

Helen Neff – “Take it Slow, Tahoe” Citizen Leader on Traffic Safety

Lila Peterson – Vail Resorts Zero-Waste Program Coordination

Helen Henry Smith – Vikingsholm Foundation

Ben and Evan Anderson – Truckee High School Envirolution Club

Sue Hughes – Incline Flume Trail

Karen Mullen-Ehly – Washoe County Parks

Tom Carter – Underwater Litter Collection

Jeff Poulin – Litter Cleanups

Agency representatives

Amy Berry – Tahoe Fund

Heidi Doyle – Sierra State Parks Foundation

Jean Diaz – St. Joseph Community Land Trust

Marilee Movius – League to Save Lake Tahoe Community Engagement

Jay Howard – Nevada State Parks

Jacob Quinn – USDA Forest Service Trails

Forest Schafer has worked for the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District

Lifetime Achievement

Don Lane – USDA Forest Service

Roland Shaw – Nevada State Parks

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