On October 22, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) will honor five individuals for their commitment to protecting Lake Tahoe with the 2025 Lake Spirit Awards. The awards, established in 2011, are given to people who have shown exceptional dedication to the stewardship of Lake Tahoe’s environment through leadership, volunteer work, and daily actions.
“The Lake Spirit Awards celebrate the often-unsung champions of Tahoe,” said TRPA Executive Director Julie Regan. “Their efforts show us that caring for Lake Tahoe is something we do together, and that steady, thoughtful action can make an exceptional impact for the health of the lake.”
This year’s recipients include Tim Kosier and Sydney Morrow in the citizen category, Tom Berndt and Kirstin Guinn as agency representatives, and Jim Baetge for lifetime achievement.
Tim Kosier has volunteered for more than ten years with organizations such as the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships, and the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science. He has focused on educating others about environmental science and stewardship at Lake Tahoe.
Sydney Morrow, serving as Glenbrook Homeowners Association Director and FireWise Coordinator, led a major tree-thinning project that removed about 450 hazardous trees on Tahoe’s East Shore. She also helped organize a National Lieutenant Governor’s Conference to showcase wildfire mitigation technology, positioning Tahoe as a model for fire preparedness.
Tom Berndt, Lead Roving Inspector with the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Program, has played a key role in preventing invasive species from entering the lake by conducting community education and outreach at popular recreation sites.
Kirstin Guinn, Marketing Director for North Tahoe Community Alliance, has led collaborative education efforts to support destination stewardship and promote a tourism economy that benefits the region.
Jim Baetge is recognized for his lasting contributions during his tenure as Executive Director of TRPA from 1994 to 2002. Under his leadership, TRPA implemented a ban on carbureted two-stroke boat engines, reducing water pollution from gasoline by 90 percent. Baetge also initiated the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP), which has resulted in over $3 billion invested in collaborative restoration projects. The EIP is now regarded as one of the most successful conservation initiatives of its kind in the United States.
Peers have described Kosier’s leadership as inspiring and Morrow’s collaborative approach as setting an example for community action. The Lake Spirit Awards aim to highlight such contributions to Lake Tahoe’s ongoing preservation.