Clean Up The Lake
Clean Up The Lake is a nonprofit that uses SCUBA operations to remove submerged freshwater litter, collect standardized data, and survey invasive species for agencies, communities, schools, divers, donors, and partners in the Lake Tahoe region and beyond.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersLake Tahoe, CA/NV, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Clean Up The Lake does
Clean Up The Lake operates as a Nevada-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018. It removes submerged litter from freshwater lakes through SCUBA-led operations, combining divers, freedivers, kayakers, boat drivers, and jet skiers, and serves government agencies, environmental nonprofits, local communities, students, certified divers, individual donors, corporate sponsors, and tourism organizations. Its work has expanded from the Lake Tahoe area to more than 14 Sierra Nevada lakes, with pilots in South Puget Sound and Mille Lacs Lake and continuing Mammoth Lakes activity.
Operationally, the organization uses Diver Propulsion Vehicles and Nitrox for deeper, longer dives; GPS pinpointing for heavy litter and hotspots; the Wildnote application for field data; and a litter categorization process based on UNEP/IOC standards with 9 material types and 83 use categories. Its programs include SCUBA cleanup operations, aquatic invasive species surveillance and reporting, the Environmental Dive Center, K-12 LEAP education, Make A Difference Creative, the Lake Tahoe Litter Summit, and the Global Alliance Program. The 2024 72 Mile Cleanup² pilot extended work to depths of 35-55 feet, while the aquatic invasive species toolkit supports field identification.
One-time and recurring individual donations are offered at suggested levels of $25, $50, $100, $200, or custom amounts, alongside corporate and community sponsorships, project-specific contributions, grants, and noncash gifts. The Environmental Dive Center adds earned revenue through PADI courses and SCUBA equipment rentals, with a complete kit listed at $125 per day; sponsorship tiers range from $2,500-$4,999 for Bronze to $10,000 or more for Gold. Volunteers and course participants are acquired through the website, events, community partnerships, earned media, social platforms, and school programs, and annual revenue is not publicly disclosed.
Clean Up The Lake firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Clean Up The Lake
- Legal name
- Clean Up The Cayes 501(c)3
- Website
- https://cleanupthelake.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Clean Up The Lake is a nonprofit that uses SCUBA operations to remove submerged freshwater litter, collect standardized data, and survey invasive species for agencies, communities, schools, divers, donors, and partners in the Lake Tahoe region and beyond.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Clean Up The Lake industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Remediation Services (562910), Remediation Services (56291)
- SIC
- Sanitary Services (4950), Refuse Systems (4953)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sediment Remediation & Dredging (Contaminated Sediments) (BPALAKAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Pollution Response & Environmental Salvage (Oil Spill, HAZMAT) (IMAJANAF), Disaster Debris Cleanup & Hauling (Fire/Flood/Storm) (HSAKALAO)
Keywords
Where Clean Up The Lake is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lake Tahoe, CA/NV
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Clean Up The Lake business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals at various levels ($25, $50, $100, $200 or custom amounts). Monthly giving programs available.
- Corporate and Community Partnerships: Corporate partnership programs where businesses sponsor the organization. Community Partnership Program allows local businesses to support cleanup work in their community.
- Project-Specific Partnerships: Contributions designated for specific cleanup projects or programs such as Fallen Leaf Lake Cleanup, Lake Tahoe Terrain Trap Cleanups, Mammoth Lakes cleanups, and pilot research projects.
- Dive Training and Equipment Rental: Revenue from PADI-certified dive courses at the Environmental Dive Center (various levels from beginner to Divemaster) and SCUBA equipment rentals at $125/day for a complete kit.
- Legacy Giving: Wills, trusts, and annuities where donors include Clean Up The Lake in their estate planning.
- Stock and Securities Donations: Donations of stocks, securities, mutual fund shares and other appreciating assets.
- Property and Vehicle Donations: Donations of automobiles, boats, or vehicles to the nonprofit organization.
- Donor Advised Fund: Recommendations through donor-advised funds.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Individual donation levels |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Environmental Dive Center course pricing |
| Other | Annual | Partnership and sponsorship tiers |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Employment positions |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Clean Up The Lake product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Clean Up The Lake conducts human-powered SCUBA cleanup operations to remove submerged litter from freshwater lakes, primarily across the Sierra Nevada including Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake, and Mammoth Lakes region (14+ lakes total). Operations combine underwater litter removal with GPS data collection, UNEP/IOC-aligned litter categorization, aquatic invasive species surveillance, and reporting to government agencies. Supporting programs include the Environmental Dive Center (PADI dive training), the LEAP youth education curriculum, Make A Difference Creative media productions, and the Global Alliance Program for international expansion.
Product overview
Clean Up The Lake is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating a multi-faceted environmental conservation platform centered on underwater litter removal and freshwater ecosystem protection. The core offering is SCUBA-powered cleanup operations at lakes across the Sierra Nevada (Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake, Mammoth Lakes, and 14+ others), which are supported by specialized programs: the Environmental Dive Center (conservation dive school with PADI certifications), LEAP youth education, Make A Difference Creative (media production), and the Aquatic Invasive Species surveillance program. Data-driven impact is achieved through a litter categorization methodology adapted from UNEP/IOC standards, with findings shared with government agencies and researchers. The organization also runs the Global Alliance Program to export its model worldwide and hosts the annual Lake Tahoe Litter Summit for stakeholder collaboration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Environmental Dive Center (EDC): A hybrid between an environmental science center and a conservation dive school offering PADI certification courses with conservation emphasis, SCUBA equipment rentals, and conservation dive tours.
- Make A Difference Creative
- LEAP (Litter Education and Awareness Program)
Products and services
- Environmental Dive Center (EDC) Hybrid environmental science center and conservation dive school offering PADI certification courses (Discover SCUBA through Divemaster) with conservation emphasis, SCUBA equipment rentals for conservation divers, conservation dive tours, refreshers, and environmental film screenings.
- LEAP (Litter Education and Awareness Program) Youth education and awareness program teaching K-12 students about submerged litter, plastic pollution, and aquatic invasive species through lesson plans, hands-on activities, classroom presentations, and interactive STEM curriculum.
- Make A Difference Creative Professional film and television production program creating environmental content including music videos, animation, commercials, PSAs, youth program animations, and documentaries to spread awareness about protecting waterways.
- Global Alliance Program Strategic partnership program providing training, resources, and intellectual property to communities worldwide to help launch freshwater cleanup operations identical to Clean Up The Lake's model.
- Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program Aquatic invasive species surveillance program conducting surveys during all environmental cleanups, collecting samples, and reporting observations to state and federal agencies for remediation.
- SCUBA Cleanup Operations Underwater cleanup operations using SCUBA divers, free divers, kayakers, and jet skiers to remove submerged litter from lakes while collecting GPS data, photographs, and performing AIS surveys.
- Litter Categorization Program Scientific data collection program categorizing all removed litter using UNEP/IOC standards into 9 material types and 83 categories, with data publicly available for government agencies, researchers, and planners.
- Lake Tahoe Litter Summit Annual summit bringing together 50+ leaders from nonprofits, government agencies, and organizations to address litter issues, develop new solutions, and establish committees for ongoing action.
Quantifiable outcome
- Removed 78,194 lbs of litter (70,332 lbs underwater) from 130.13 miles of lakebed
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Clean Up The Lake
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Clean Up The Lake technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Clean Up The Lake partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered gold partner, core and in-kind.
- Tahoe Truckee Community Foundationgold partnerGold-level partner providing funding and support for cleanup projects in the Tahoe Truckee region.
- Martis Fundgold partnerGold-level partner supporting cleanup work at Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake, and other regional water bodies. Focus on Martis Valley and Placer County.
- Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA)gold partnerGold-level partner providing regulatory collaboration, data-sharing, and AIS surveillance support. CUTL founder co-chairs the Litter Action Committee for the Destination Stewardship Council.
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agencygold partnerPartner supporting CUTL's pilot research at Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota. Funded through Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment.
- Travel North Tahoe Nevadagold partnerGold partner funding approximately $200,000/year (10% of annual revenue) to stewardship programs including CUTL cleanup projects.
- Town of Mammoth Lakesgold partnerGold partner supporting cleanup and AIS research in the Mammoth Lakes region.
- Lake Tahoe Community Collegegold partnerEducational partner offering internship opportunities and collaboration for the Environmental Dive Center.
- Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship CouncilcoreCUTL is an active member contributing through the lens of environmental diving and underwater conservation. Colin West co-chairs the Litter Action Committee.
- Mille Lacs Area Community FoundationcorePartner bringing Keep It Clean campaign to Mille Lacs Lake and supporting CUTL pilot research at Mille Lacs.
- California Department of AgriculturecoreCollaboration on AIS identification. Jointly identified Eurasian watermilfoil in Twin Lakes with genetic sequencing confirmation.
- Sierra Diving Centerin-kindIn-kind partner providing air refills and expert diving consultations for CUTL operations.
- Wildnote Appin-kindIn-kind partner providing use of field data collection application for litter categorization and AIS surveys.
- PADIcoreCertification partner for Environmental Dive Center courses. All CUTL dive courses meet PADI training standards and include conservation curriculum.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Clean Up The Lake competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Surfrider Foundation: Nonprofit dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's ocean, waves, and beaches through beach cleanups, advocacy, and education. Comparable in grassroots volunteer-driven cleanup model, focus on aquatic pollution, and nonprofit funding structure.
- The Ocean Cleanup: Largest nonprofit focused on cleaning plastic pollution from oceans, using advanced technology and volunteer/scientific operations. Directly comparable to CUTL in mission (aquatic plastic removal), nonprofit status, and reliance on data-driven cleanup operations and public awareness campaigns.
- Plastic Pollution Coalition: Global alliance working to end plastic pollution through education, advocacy, and community action. Comparable as a nonprofit tackling plastic pollution with education, data-sharing, and partnerships across government, science, and community stakeholders.
- Healthy Seas (Sustainable Coastlines Foundation): Foundation working to remove waste from seas, with dive teams recovering lost fishing gear and plastic. Direct peer in diver-led underwater cleanup and ghost gear retrieval, operating in marine environments while CUTL focuses on freshwater lakes.
- 5 Gyres Institute: Nonprofit leading scientific research on plastic pollution in oceans and freshwater systems, including expeditions to measure microplastics. Comparable in nonprofit status, plastic pollution research mission, and emphasis on data-driven advocacy.
- Project AWARE Foundation (PADI): PADI-affiliated nonprofit mobilizing divers worldwide for marine conservation, including Dive Against Debris, the world's largest underwater citizen science program. Direct peer using SCUBA diver volunteer base for submerged debris cleanup and data collection, with shared certification ecosystem.
Regional players
- Heal the Bay: California-based environmental nonprofit dedicated to making coastal waters safe and healthy through cleanup events, education, and policy advocacy. Comparable in nonprofit marine conservation focus, education programs, and partnership-driven California/US operations.
- Keep Tahoe Blue (League to Save Lake Tahoe): Nonprofit dedicated to protecting Lake Tahoe's water quality and clarity through advocacy, monitoring, and on-the-ground restoration. Direct comparable operating in the same Lake Tahoe geography with similar nonprofit status, donor-driven funding, and government partnership focus.
Broad incumbents
- Sierra Club: One of the oldest and largest US environmental nonprofits, with deep involvement in Sierra Nevada conservation, water protection, and policy advocacy. Comparable as a nonprofit environmental organization with overlapping regional concerns (Sierra Nevada ecosystems) and partner/funder overlap, though vastly larger in scope and budget.
Emerging players
- Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF): Nonprofit engaging divers in marine conservation through citizen science, fish surveys, and ocean monitoring. Comparable in mobilizing certified divers for conservation data collection, though primarily focused on marine reef ecosystems rather than freshwater litter.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Clean Up The Lake social profiles
Digital presenceClean Up The Lake financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Clean Up The Lake leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Clean Up The Lake funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Clean Up The Lake M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Clean Up The Lake
What does Clean Up The Lake do?
Clean Up The Lake conducts human-powered SCUBA cleanup operations to remove submerged litter from freshwater lakes, primarily across the Sierra Nevada including Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake, and Mammoth Lakes region (14+ lakes total). Operations combine underwater litter removal with GPS data collection, UNEP/IOC-aligned litter categorization, aquatic invasive species surveillance, and reporting to government agencies. Supporting programs include the Environmental Dive Center (PADI dive training), the LEAP youth education curriculum, Make A Difference Creative media productions, and the Global Alliance Program for international expansion.
Is Clean Up The Lake a public or private company?
Clean Up The Lake is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Clean Up The Lake founded?
Clean Up The Lake was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Clean Up The Lake based?
Clean Up The Lake is headquartered in Lake Tahoe, CA/NV, United States, in the North America region.
How does Clean Up The Lake make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate and Community Partnerships, project-Specific Partnerships, dive Training and Equipment Rental, legacy Giving, stock and Securities Donations, property and Vehicle Donations and donor Advised Fund.
Who are Clean Up The Lake's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Surfrider Foundation, The Ocean Cleanup, Plastic Pollution Coalition, Healthy Seas (Sustainable Coastlines Foundation), 5 Gyres Institute and Project AWARE Foundation (PADI). Regional players are Heal the Bay and Keep Tahoe Blue (League to Save Lake Tahoe). Sierra Club is listed as a broad incumbent. Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Clean Up The Lake have an API?
No public API is recorded for Clean Up The Lake.
What industry is Clean Up The Lake in?
Clean Up The Lake's product category is Environmental Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPALAKAI, Sediment Remediation & Dredging (Contaminated Sediments), with a secondary code of IMAJANAF, Pollution Response & Environmental Salvage (Oil Spill, HAZMAT). Its NAICS code is 562910 and its SIC code is 4950.