Sharing Lake Tahoe: Responsible Tourism and Stewardship

Lake Tahoe is breathtaking. The largest alpine lake in North America, both the lake and surrounding region are an important economic, recreational and ecological resource. As a destination, Lake Tahoe is easily accessible, offering year-round entertainment and recreation, and it’s world-famous. In other words, Tahoe’s crystal clear waters, stunning mountains, forests and year-round outdoor recreational activities, including 14 ski resorts are what attracts millions of people a year. With that comes sharing Lake Tahoe: Responsible Tourism and Stewardship.

Environmental Health

Lake Tahoe is vibrant with life; home to a variety of fish including rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon and mackinaw. Surrounding areas are rich in wildlife; black bears, mule deer, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, beavers, martens and a variety of birds are visible and live among us.

Although there are many aspects to our region’s environmental health, human populations are by far the biggest cause of concern. Development, run-off pollution, trash, increased traffic congestion, lake levels, invasive species and a huge inflow of people—all create an existential threat to our way of life. 

Year’s past, early tourists experienced over 100 feet of visibility in Lake Tahoe.  Today, the lake’s visibility is rarely 75 feet—sometimes only 20-30 feet. Last year the non-profit organization, Clean up the Lake pulled over 25,000 pounds of trash out of Lake Tahoe, including 171 tires and 4,527 aluminum cans. And, the clean up is far from over.

Fire risk remains another big threat. To clarify, fires in our region start easily and grow out of control rapidly, as evidenced by the 2021 Caldor Fire. Often started by human carelessness, fire has devastating effects for decades. 

A Shared Experience

One thing is for certain: Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort shares a deep passion for our region—the lake, mountains, forests, meadows, wetlands, rivers and streams—many of which cross the resort’s property and all offer an extraordinary mountain experience. As the only family-owned and operated North Lake Tahoe Resort and hotel in North Lake Tahoe, it is firmly committed the integrity of Tahoe’s vibrant eco-system. 

Another certainty: Tourism and development will continue to grow. Vital to our economy, tourism touches the lives of all who work, live and play here. Preserving our shared destination extends to protecting the lake’s water clarity, beaches, forests and all the species that depend on it, including us. To sum it up, how we as a community—both residents and tourists—respect and grow our region will be the deciding factor in sustaining our natural wonder.

Stewardship and Responsible Tourism

The key is to balance the needs and activities of the local community with the protection and preservation of the natural environment. Above all, this includes valuing and promoting sustained and responsible tourism, recreation and resource use as a way of life.

“At Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort we are actively making efforts to lighten our steps and promote the concept of respectful and responsible, eco-tourism”, said Alex Mourelatos, General Manager. “As a result, our commitment to the concept of “silent sports” help us define what responsible tourism means. For example, sports like snowshoeing,  XC skiing, sledding, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding and bird watching can all be experienced right on or near Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort. Moreover, we wish to lead by example, a culture of caring—from our employees and neighboring businesses to our guests. Consistent, positive messaging and recreational opportunities promoting this lifestyle are a commitment we all need to make in the tourism industry. Stewardship starts where we are.”

Simple Principals to Share

Leave no trace. Most importantly, visitors are encouraged to respect the natural environment and minimize their impact on it.

Be prepared. First and foremost, check road conditions and prepare before heading up the mountain. 

Public transportation. Most Tahoe visitors arrive by car and rely on it their entire visit. However, visitors should be encouraged to choose low-impact transit options include shared free transit (TART), public buses, express shuttles to and from Reno, ski shuttles and free night shuttles as well as bike-friendly routes.  Another option is Park-and-ride, which is becoming more accessible and something we all can do. Finally, the best thing about taking transit is the ability to sit back and view the most breathtaking scenery. Check out transit details and schedules: www.TahoeTruckeeTransit.com .

Support local businesses. In brief, choosing and supporting locally-owned businesses and organizations that are committed to environmental sustainability can help support the local community and economy.

Engage. It’s part of the experience. For example, get to know your community even if just visiting. Many people are happy to share their knowledge visitors get the most out of their trip.

Respect local regulations. Lake Tahoe is located in a sensitive alpine ecosystem. As a result, it’s important to follow local regulations and guidelines such as fire bans and boating/fishing regulations in order to protect the environment.

Leave with inspiration and stories to share. Share your love for Lake Tahoe with your friends and family; For instance, share photos and stories that encourage others to appreciate and respect our environment.

Traveler’s Responsibility Pledge

To sum it up, take the Traveler Responsibility Pledge. Before embarking on a journey to our Lake Tahoe region, please take the Traveler Responsibility Pledge; a commitment to preserving the natural wonders of the Sierra, which means responsible tourism and stewardship for Lake Tahoe region.

Effective stewardship of the Lake Tahoe region requires the cooperation and support of all members of the community including local governments, businesses and individuals. Likewise, practicing stewardship means we all participate—locals and visitors alike. We all play an important role in ensuring Lake Tahoe remains a treasured destination for years to come.

Start your Winter Adventure at Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort

Start your next Winter adventure stay at Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort. And, the best time is right now to book directly for exceptional multi-night discounts and our no worries, no stress MLRTahoe Guarantee: Free, fully-refundable cancellation with a 72 hour heads up. Join the Winter fun today at MLRTahoe, your Tahoe Home. 

For our dedicated return guests, don’t forget to use our Booking Code: VAL2023!

Need assistance booking your stay? Our friendly team members are happy to help. Call us directly at (530) 546-9500.

-Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort—Your Basecamp for adventure!