Bonsai Beach Cleanup III

October 1, 2014 by trudilee

By Tim Hauserman

The Bonsai rock is an iconic granite boulder sitting just off the east shore of Lake Tahoe. It stands out amongst the thousands of other equally spectacular boulders because a tiny tree valiantly grows from it’s top. It’s a story of beating nearly impossible odds, and in so doing, creating a photographers dream. But you don’t have to be a photographer to enjoy the bonsai’s beauty, or the rest of the east shores bounty of boulders and beaches. They are there for everyone.

Unfortunately, some folks haven’t treated this incredible piece of nature with the respect it deserves, and it has been a frequent victim of graffiti. A group of long time locals led by Dylan Eichenberg and Sam Rossi decided they were not going to stand for the discretion of these rocks. They formed a group called People of Tahoe, and have organized two previous Bonsai Beach Cleanups to painstakingly remove the graffiti from the rocks. It has become a celebration of how people at Tahoe can come together and do good, and I believe they have a lot of fun doing it.

You can join in the fun by attending the Bonsai Beach Cleanup III, on October 12 between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm. Volunteers are needed to join the scrubbing (and remove litter). And who could come up with a more beautiful place to volunteer? Meet at Sand Harbor State Park (where volunteers receive free parking). The event is sponsored by the Motsenbocker’s Lift Off, The League To Save Lake Tahoe, Nevada State Parks, and Boreal Resort, which has provided a grant as part of it’s Protect your Playground program. Cleaning supplies and refreshments will be provided, but bring your lunch.

For more information on the event go to the People Of Tahoe Facebook page.