Lake Tahoe agencies launch region wide 'Take Care' cleanup program

This time last year, Lake Tahoe made headlines around the world for an embarrassing amount of trash left on the beaches after the Fourth of July festivities. To prevent that from happening again, the community is rolling out a secret weapon: a humorous new campaign that aims to remind folks to take care of the region.

Through the use of funny headlines and endearing illustrated characters, the campaign tackles litter, dog waste, proper dousing of campfires, bear awareness, and aquatic invasive species prevention. Headlines include, “If it’s your dog then it’s your doody” and “Hide trash here, please.” See the video below.

Residents and visitors are invited to visit takecaretahoe.org where they can pledge to Take Care, watch a short video that brings the characters to life, learn more about how they can help, and download digital goodies.

“We hope we can make people laugh at their mistakes so they don’t repeat them.” said Heather Segale of UC Davis-Tahoe Environmental Research Center and a member of the organizing committee. “With Take Care, we are reminding everyone to help take care of what they love.”

More than 50 organizations across the region are planning to use the campaign in their outreach efforts. This includes the local towns, counties, and businesses. Already, the campaign can be seen around the Region in places like the trashcans in Tahoe City, in the park at Spooner Lake, being taught at summer camps, and throughout Raley’s Supermarkets. More will be rolling out across the area in the next few weeks.

“We plan to pilot the Take Care campaign at several of our most popular recreation sites this summer,” said Forest Supervisor Jeff Marsolais. “We hope our visitors will heed the campaign’s message and take care of Lake Tahoe and our national forest.”

Take Care trash bags will be distributed on most of the beaches on July 4th and beach clean up events are scheduled on July 5th and throughout the summer.

The Take Care campaign was developed by Meg Siegal and Nate Laver in collaboration with designers Adam and Company. The creative talents of Richard Perez and Jessie Rauch were teamed up with stand-up comedians Ryan Sickler and duo Jesse Federman and Jerren Lauder to bring the campaign to life.

The effort was led by the Lake Tahoe Outreach Committee, made up of the Lake Tahoe Sustainability Collaborative, League to Save Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Fund, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Tahoe Resource Conservation District and UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center.

Funding for Take Care was provided by Tahoe Fund, South Tahoe Alliance of Resorts, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Martis Fund, California Tahoe Conservancy, Tahoe Marina Owners Association, League to Save Lake Tahoe, South Tahoe Refuse and Barton Health.

What some of our 50 partners have to say about the campaign:

"Raley's is proud to be a part of the Lake Tahoe community and participate in the Take Care campaign,” said Chelsea Minor, director, public relations & public affairs at Raley's Family of Fine Stores. “It takes all of our support to make sure Tahoe remains a destination for future generations to enjoy."

“Our previous signage was much more regulatory in nature,” said Cindy Gustafson, General Manager of Tahoe City Public Utility District. “The Take Care materials are a much more creative and fun way to get people actively participating in the stewardship of our environment.”

“The ‘Take Care’ initiative is very important to the health and beauty of our region and the clever design is an effective way to communicate these essential messages to our guests,” said Andy Wirth, president & CEO of Squaw Valley.

“The Take Care Campaign brings together all of Tahoe’s public and private recreation providers with a simple unifying message,” said Patrick Wright, Executive Director of the Tahoe Conservancy.

“The ‘Take Care’ campaign is a fun, approachable way for Lake Tahoe visitors to learn how to have a positive impact,” said Pete Sonntag, vice president and chief operating officer at Heavenly Mountain Resort. “Even if you are only visiting for a short time, it is possible to take small, meaningful action to preserve this place that we love.”

“Although the number of visitors to the Tahoe Basin rivals our National Parks, we've lacked a unified message that encourages thoughtful stewardship practices and a strong regional conservation ethic,” shared Marcus Tingle and Pamela Gartin of Adrift Tahoe. “Adrift Tahoe is thrilled to support this campaign and we think the messaging is spot-on!”

"The North Tahoe Business Association is delighted to partner with the Tahoe Care campaign because we believe in protecting the area's most precious resource, Lake Tahoe," said Joy Doyle, executive director of the North Tahoe Business Association, "We believe that consistent marketing and messaging will have the greatest impact on changing behavior."

“We support the Take Care campaign because it's a simple way to relay accessible conservation messages to locals and visitors,” said Jennifer Merchant, Deputy CEO-Lake Tahoe for Placer County.