What We Do

A person climbing a tall pine tree with climbing gear and safety equipment in a forest, under a blue sky with some clouds.

We search for white pines resistant to the blister rust fungus – deadly to white pines – and climb them to collect their cones.

A top view of numerous small potted succulents and cacti with spiky green leaves, arranged closely together.

The cones we harvest go the US Forest Service to test for major gene resistance to blister rust.

Close-up of tree bark with a protected tree notice attached by two nails.

We've already found 70 resistant trees in the Tahoe Basin.

Each year, we harvest more cones from resistant trees so we can plant the next generation.

A woman wearing a blue jacket, black pants, gloves, a red headband, and sunglasses on her forehead is collecting pine cones in a forest.

Every spring and fall, hundreds of community volunteers and schoolchildren help us with plantings.

Young girl holding a small pine tree seedling with roots exposed, outdoors in a forested area with trees and dirt, wearing a black hoodie and a beige cap.

Our plantings, events, and educational outreach inspire environmental stewardship throughout the community.

A young girl in a forest holding a shovel, wearing a blue safety helmet, a white T-shirt with a rainbow on it, red pants, and boots.

As our seedlings grow, we regularly monitor their health to help inform future restoration programs.

Young pine tree growing on a burned forest hillside with charred trees and a partly cloudy blue sky.

Learn more:

Close-up of pinecones on a pine tree with a blurred ocean background.

About White Pines

Learn how to identify a sugar pine, western white, or whitebark pine.

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A close-up of a tree trunk covered in orange and brown fungi, with branches and green foliage in the background.

About Blister Rust

Where did blister rust come from? Why is it such a big problem in Tahoe? How does it affect our pines?

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Top view of numerous small potted plants with long, thin, spiky green leaves, some in yellow and gray pots, planted on a black grid surface.

Our Achievements

See the results of our efforts. Learn about where we’ve planted and how much we’ve accomplished!

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