The California Tahoe Conservancy (Conservancy) is looking for up to five Advisory Committee Members with expertise related to programs and policies that promote equitable public access to the outdoors for all Californians. The Advisory Committee Members will support the Conservancy's new Tahoe for All Grant Program, a program designed to help the Conservancy meet goals in California's Outdoors for All Strategy. This is an unpaid volunteer opportunity.

To learn more about the Tahoe for All Grant Program, visit the Conservancy website.

Background 

Although Lake Tahoe is a world-class outdoor recreation destination, many people face barriers to accessing and enjoying its recreational opportunities. In California and nationwide, outdoor access and its benefits are not equitably available to all communities. The Tahoe for All Program seeks to improve access to Lake Tahoe and surrounding forests for historically underserved and excluded people and communities by providing grants to programs and projects that address economic, physical, social, cultural, or other barriers. The goal of the Tahoe for All Program is to support programs and projects that provide positive and inclusive outdoor experiences for communities that face barriers to accessing outdoor recreation infrastructure and opportunities in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Learn more about the Tahoe for All Grant Program onthe Conservancy Website.

Advisory Committee Role and Responsibilities 

The work of the Tahoe for All Advisory Committee includes: 

• Working with Conservancy staff in reviewing and scoring applications  
• Providing recommendations on how the Conservancy can better communicate Tahoe for All grant opportunities 
• Providing input on program processes. For example, Committee Members may comment on grant materials and selection criteria to help improve future grant rounds 

Time Commitment 

We are asking that Advisory Committee Members commit to at least one two-year term. Each year, Committee Members are expected to: 

• Attend a virtual or hybrid orientation meeting to go over the Tahoe for All Program Description, goals, scoring criteria, and grant schedule for the year (approximately 1 hour) 
• Independently review grant applications and provide written scores and comments (approximately 2 hours).  
• Participate in a virtual or hybrid project selection meeting (approximately 2 hours) 
• Participate in a virtual or hybrid program assessment meeting (approximately 1 hour) 

Conservancy staff will provide pre-meeting materials and communications to make scheduled virtual or hybrid meetings more efficient, however, this is the Conservancy’s first year implementing the full Tahoe for All Program and Advisory Committee, so the time commitment may be more or less than the estimated hours.  

Anticipated Schedule for 2025-2026 

November 2025 – Orientation meeting 

December 2025 – Application review and scoring 

January 2026 – Project selection meeting 

March 2026 – Board meeting to approve grant awards (attendance is not expected) 

Spring 2026 – Program assessment meeting 

Eligibility  

To avoid a conflict of interest, Advisory Committee Members cannot be employees or board members of current Tahoe for All grant recipient organizations and may not apply for a Tahoe for All Grant while serving on the Advisory Committee. Advisory Committee Members who have another form of close relationship with a Tahoe for All grantee will be asked to recuse themselves from discussion of that organization’s application(s).   

Desired Qualifications   

Conservancy staff seek Advisory Board Members from across California who reflect the state’s diversity (including racial, ethnic, income, gender, language, as well as physical and cognitive disability diversity), and with expertise in some of the following areas:  

• Designing and implementing culturally relevant programming for populations that may face barriers to accessing outdoor recreation opportunities  
• Embedding mental, cognitive, and physical wellness into programming  
• Public access and outdoor recreation   
• Environmental education or youth leadership programs  
• Environmental equity  
• Leading and/or practicing cultural humility  
• Community engagement  
• Monitoring and evaluation of non-profit programming  
• Public and private financing