A Letter from our Executive Director

I have to begin by offering a heartfelt thanks to our community; for the continued financial support of those who have partnered with Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB) and through the tireless actions of our wonderful volunteers who bring depth and meaning to the impact of the KTMB mission.  KTMB, along with our supporters and volunteers have put action behind a shared dedication to creating a more sustainable and beautiful region through waste reduction, education and active community involvement.  Honestly, the support we received from the community coupled with direction from our Board of Trustees and our Committee leaders is the primary reason KTMB made it through a very difficult pandemic – a situation that none of us could have ever predicted and one that continues to affect us today.

Now more than ever, with support and direction from dedicated staff, KTMB is emerging from the pandemic as a community that continues to engage in KTMB’s mission by cleaning and beautifying our parks, rivers and public lands; educating students and adults about the Truckee River Watershed, noxious and invasive weeds, recycling and by helping businesses implement sustainable practices; all of this, for the good of our community and our planet. 

In February this year I was honored to assume the role of Executive Director at KTMB.  With the help of a devoted and enthusiastic staff, I am confident that I can help to retain what KTMB has meant to the community through the years while remaining flexible enough to see what new heights we might reach one day in the future.

As we move forward, I believe KTMB has a promising future.  And while much has changed through the years one thing remains the same; our community’s shared love of this region we call home and the commitment KTMB and our volunteers embody to make it the best and most beautiful it can be.

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Mark Cameron
Executive Director KTMB

YOUTH EDUCATION

Warriors Youth Education Program

In 2021, KTMB was still navigating the residual challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.  WCSD closed all schools to in-person visitors, so we responded by adapting presentations to a virtual learning format.  By June 30, 2021, KTMB reached 1,043 students during the 2020-21 school year.  Coupled with day camps, other youth programs, and WCSD selecting KTMB as an enrichment resource for summer school, we reached an additional 102 students in July - more in that month than any other year- totaling 1,145 students educated.  Although the pandemic impeded our reach, KTMB's efforts resulted in tangible success.

KTMB's "Warriors" Youth Education program inspires students to think and act as environmental stewards though free in-classroom presentations.  The program includes three modules featuring hands-on, place-based lessons:

• Waste Warriors, which introduces students to the waste stream and inspires them to create solutions to reduce waste and prevent litter and illegal dumping

• Weed Warriors, which introduces students to invasive and noxious weeds and inspires them to create solutions to stop their spread

• Watershed Warriors, which introduces students to the myriad of challenges facing the Truckee River watershed and inspires them to create solutions to protect and preserve the river for future generations

The STEM-themed lessons are standards-aligned and available for teachers for free online.  KTMB presents to students throughout the Truckee Meadows in public school classrooms, after-school programs, summer day camps, and more.  The program specifically targets underserved public schools to empower students to problem-solve neighborhood blight and other environmental issues in order to improve the quality of life, health, and economy in the Truckee Meadows.

1,145 • Total students educated
58 • Lesson across 17 Washoe County Schools

KTMB Board of Trustees and Officers

 ADVISORY BOARDS