For over 50 years, we’ve worked alongside California State Parks to create memorable, welcoming experiences for all who visit. From restoring trails and preserving natural beauty to creating educational programs and hosting special events, we've proudly invested more than $15 million back into the Lake Tahoe-Donner Lake CA State Parks.
Now, we invite you to be a part of this legacy. Your contribution helps shape the future of our parks—creating lasting memories for today’s visitors and inspiring the next generation of park stewards. When you give, you’re not just supporting our work; you're sharing your love for these cherished places with others, ensuring they continue to thrive for years to come.
As the nonprofit partner to our local California State Parks, we deliver immediate results while ensuring long-term projects reach completion. Last year:
At Emerald Bay State Park, Vikingsholm underwent major preservation work — including chimney repairs, morning room restoration, and turret stabilization. Projects decades in the making were finally completed thanks to supporters like you.
At Sugar Pine Point State Park, a $100,000 grant from the Hellman Foundation doubled our endowment, investing in the future of Pine Lodge and historic structure restoration projects. With your support, we’re building a legacy that lasts.
We supported our California State Parks interpreters to help bring free educational programming to our parks. This year over 33,000 people participated in free educational programs within our local California State Parks, including almost 9,000 students. We work together with California State Parks inspiring current and future generations to be stewards of our unique Tahoe-Donner treasures.
This year we're on track to complete Phase 2 of The Donner Project at Donner Memorial State Park. This includes reflective native landscaping and new outdoor learning spaces around the Pioneer Monument — enhancing education opportunities for youth and visitors.
And, we're raising funds to install additional native plants at the historic gardens at the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion at Sugar Pine Point State Park. Our volunteer Garden Club works diligently on Saturdays throughout the summer months to give the historic gardens the care and love they need to thrive. This year, we're going to install additional native plants to give the gardens the lush and full appearance that would make Florence Ehrman proud!
You can help make this work possible by donating during Big Day of Giving!
The Sierra State Parks Foundation supports the Lake Tahoe-Donner Lake State Parks in partnership with California State Parks to create a comprehensive, welcoming visitor experience through education, interpretation, preservation, restoration, and advocacy. This includes providing critically needed financial and professional support to the Lake Tahoe-Donner California State Parks including funding preservation and restoration projects and educational programs that connect visitors with our rich natural and historic resources and cultural heritage.
Because of this work and advocacy, our parks will continue to be places of education and inspiration for current and future generations.
Needs
The Sierra State Parks Foundation is requesting funds to rehabilitate the historic gardens at the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion. Funds will be used to purchase native plants, mulch, and other supplies to restore the gardens to a lush and full appearance as they would have looked under the care of Florence Ehrman.
SSPF's volunteer Garden Club works diligently throughout the summer to help California State Parks maintain the historic garden areas. They will install the native plants late in the summer after thoughtful weeding and maintenance throughout the summer.
Equity Statement
The Sierra State Parks Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, veteran status, military status, domestic violence victim status, national origin, political affiliation, predisposing genetic characteristics, and any other status protected by the law.
And… we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy time outdoors. When people have meaningful experiences outdoors, their quality of life, health, and social well-being improve. We believe that everyone should have access to the California State Parks in the Lake Tahoe region.. We welcome diversity and aim to be an accessible and inclusive community that honors and respects the various ways people connect with our partner California State Parks at Lake Tahoe and mentor the next generation of park stewards.
