The Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has announced that the Spooner Lake Frontcountry Improvement Project received the Lake Tahoe Best in Basin Award for Sustainable Recreation and Forest Health. The award, given by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), honors projects around Lake Tahoe that show exceptional planning, implementation, and harmony with the natural environment.
Starting in 2017, the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team (NTRT) — a collaboration between the Nevada Division of State Parks, Division of Forestry, Division of State Lands, and Department of Wildlife — began revitalizing Spooner Lake State Park. Today, the park features a new visitor center, amphitheater, interpretive pathways, group-use sites, upgraded restrooms, and expanded parking areas. These changes were part of a forest restoration initiative aimed at promoting sustainable recreation.
Funding for this $9.1 million project came from Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) bonds, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Lake Tahoe License Plate Program, and donations from Tahoe Fund supporters.
“Congratulations to our partners at DCNR for this well-deserved award,” said Amy Berry, CEO of Tahoe Fund. “We are also so grateful to our donors for showing us the power of philanthropy in helping State Parks unlock the public funding needed for these very important upgrades at this very special place.”
“This project is a shining example of how state agencies collaborate to enhance recreational opportunities while protecting the natural environment,” said Bob Mergell, Administrator of Nevada Division of State Parks. “Sustainable recreation is more than just upgrading facilities; it’s about supporting projects that benefit the water, forests, and wildlife of Spooner Lake while providing a memorable experience for our visitors.”
The project’s success underscores collaboration’s importance in combining conservation with recreation. “While we celebrate this accomplishment,” said Kevin Fromherz, NTRT Program Manager. “We will continue to restore forests, meadows, streams, and wildlife habitats while implementing new sustainable recreation projects that will benefit park visitors for generations to come.”
Formed in 2001 at the Governor’s request to implement Nevada’s share of the Environmental Improvement Program (EIP), NTRT has completed 142 lake-improving projects with 28 more underway since its inception.
For further details on the Spooner Lake project or NTRT’s work: visit https://lands.nv.gov/resource-programs/tahoe or contact Kevin Fromherz at kfromherz@lands.nv.gov.
