Thunderbird Lake Tahoe volunteers experience up close one of the most beautiful settings Lake Tahoe affords. When you volunteer, you will meet dedicated people working as part of a team that values your individual contribution.
Volunteers are proud to support the mission of Thunderbird Lake Tahoe by assisting the organization's many events and programs.
Conduct public tours for up to 25 people of the Thunderbird Lodge house and gardens. Docents must complete a formal training course before leading tours without assistance. Once certified, docents are asked to lead a minimum of four tours per month.
Special Events AssistantAssist the staff with special events to ensure the visitor's experience is enjoyable, educational, and safe. Volunteers welcome visitors and answer questions about Thunderbird Lodge and Yacht and assist with other duties depending on the nature of the event.
Garden VolunteersAssist the Garden Coordinator by restoring the Thunderbird Lodge gardens and grounds to their original splendor with perhaps a bit of new spice. Volunteers help with raking, weeding, grooming, potting, watering, deadheading, and cleanup. Volunteers must be in good general health. Garden work is generally performed on Mondays and gardening volunteers are asked to commit to a regular work schedule. The gardens are principally maintained by volunteer Master Gardeners, primarily certified by the University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension department, and these Master Gardeners train the garden volunteers.
NOTE For more information on the Thunderbird gardens:The beautiful gardens of historic Thunderbird Lodge are defined by the extraordinary alpine landscape of the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe and unique architectural elements of the estate created so long ago by George Whittell, Jr. The gardens are framed by the original stone terraces, staircases, and pathways of the Lodge set against the backdrop of a native pine forest and immense granite boulder formations.
Charming stone houses and planter boxes brimming with flowers greet the visitor to the grounds. Along the entry staircase above the Cook Butler House, a colorful tapestry of native and adapted accent plants cascades down the hillside to the spirea garden. The naturalistic landscape design of the gardens demonstrates how native and adapted plants can be artistically combined to good effect while maintaining a healthy landscape appropriate to the site.
Woodland gardens, extending from the dramatic Waterfall in front of the Old Lodge and along the serpentine Dragon's Tail pathway leading to the Card House, include specimen Rhododendron, Japanese Maple, Vine Maple, Hydrangea and hardy perennials nestled among the boulders and native forest.
Large pots filled with elegant combinations of perennial plants add a bit of pizzazz in front of the Old Lodge and the lakeside Wishing Well Patio and lawn area.
The Shamrock Herb gardens overlooking the lagoon provide fragrant, organically-grown herbs for the Thunderbird Culinary Program that features organic, sustainable local products. This garden demonstrates a variety of culinary, medicinal, and ornamental herbs that grow successfully at Lake Tahoe.
Toni Fauver's Garden, along with surrounding niches and terraces near the Gazebo and dock feature a collection of native plants, durable perennials, and wildflowers common to the high-altitude Sierra and inter-mountain West.
Over the past several years, The Lake of the Sky Garden Club North Lake Tahoe has supported the beautification of our gardens through its community grants program.
The Thunderbird Lodge Gardens continue to be maintained and renovated by Master Gardeners certified by the University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program. Garden volunteers work with and are trained by our Master Gardeners. Garden practices include organic culture, IPM, and integrated landscape management to conserve water, prevent soil erosion, and protect water quality.
Membership Office
Answer phones, process membership applications, and perform a variety of general office tasks under the guidance of the Business Manager.
Museum Store Gift ShopEngage visitors as sales associates, cashiers, and tour information provider. Work may involve restocking, shipping, receiving, and merchandising.
We do need to collect a minimum amount of information from you in order to communicate with you and assist us in evaluating those areas in which you might be able to assist us.
This privacy policy discloses the privacy practices for thunderbirdtahoe.org and Thunderbird Lake Tahoe. This privacy policy applies solely to information collected by this web site. It will notify you of the following:
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Unless you ask us not to, we may contact you via email in the future to tell you about scheduled events, volunteer opportunities, or changes to this privacy policy.>/p>
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If you feel that we are not abiding by this privacy policy, you should contact us immediately via telephone at (775) 832-8750
For information about becoming a volunteer, please call (775) 832-8753, or please use this Volunteer Application form (click on "Volunteer Application" Button below).