For Rebecca Cremeen, becoming involved with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association grew naturally from a love for Tahoe’s trails and a career dedicated to balancing recreation with environmental stewardship.
Rebecca moved to Tahoe in 2016 and quickly began exploring the region by foot and bike. As she discovered new trails, she also began noticing the interpretive signs, trailhead information, and resources provided by the Tahoe Rim Trail Association.
“I quickly learned how important this organization is to maintain and improve the vast network of trails around Tahoe, educate about Leave No Trace, and inspire stewardship of our spectacular and fragile environment,” Rebecca said.
That mission closely aligns with Rebecca’s own professional experience. For more than 20 years, she has worked in land use, recreation planning, and environmental conservation throughout the Sierra Nevada. Her career has included nonprofit leadership and environmental education, as well as work as a National Park Service planner at Yosemite, where she helped balance recreation and visitation with conservation and stewardship objectives. Since 2015, she has worked at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, focusing on environmental planning and sustainable transportation.
About two and a half years ago, Rebecca took the next step in her relationship with the TRTA and joined the Board of Directors.
She didn’t have to go far to learn more about the organization. Her office happens to be in the same building as the TRTA office.
“I get to watch all of the hiking groups and volunteers coming and going from my window and interact with staff,” Rebecca said. “I could tell they are a hard-working crew, and they look like they are having fun a lot of the time.”
From that front-row seat, Rebecca has developed an even greater appreciation for the work happening both on and off the trail.
“I am impressed by the amount and quality of work that the small but mighty TRTA staff accomplishes, supported by an amazing group of volunteers,” she said.
For Rebecca, serving on the Board is also an opportunity to help ensure that work continues.
Each year, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association relies on grants, memberships, and donations to maintain and improve the Tahoe Rim Trail system, provide outdoor education and recreation programs, and inspire the next generation of trail stewards. Rebecca believes that community support is particularly important at a time when public lands are experiencing high levels of visitation while the agencies responsible for managing them face limited resources.
“As a nonprofit, this level of work is not guaranteed,” Rebecca said. “We rely on grants and donations every year. Donor support is more important than ever.”
It is one of the reasons she believes organizations like the TRTA play such an important role in Tahoe.
“The TRTA is a critical organization that fills the gap.”
Whether she is exploring Tahoe by bike, hiking a new trail, working on environmental planning, or helping guide the organization as a member of the Board, Rebecca’s commitment comes back to the same idea: caring for the places we love takes all of us.
Support from members, donors, and volunteers makes the work Rebecca sees outside her office window possible every day. By supporting the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, you help ensure the Tahoe Rim Trail remains a place to explore, connect, and care for, for generations to come.
