Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care founders Tom and Cheryl Millham were honored at this week’s South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting for their 35 years of rehabbing wildlife.

Tom Millham spoke briefly with Lake Tahoe News after the recognition ceremony.

In the next two to three weeks the nonprofit will be looking for builders, surveyors, excavators and others who can help transform the 16-acre Echo Creek Ranch into a world-class wildlife care and education center.

The project is expected to go the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board in June. A new special use permit from El Dorado County will also have to be obtained.

The wildlife center is currently operated on a half acre that is the Millhams’ back yard in what is now a residential area of the county.

“Once we get the approvals, then we will begin to negotiate to purchase the property,” Millham said.

It’s possible the underground infrastructure could be in place this fall.

A bridge will be built over Echo Creek so long-term cages can be put there for bears, bobcats, coyotes and other animals.

A building already on the property will become the education center.

Millham estimates it will cost $12 million to buy the land and make all the improvements. Most of the money still needs to be raised.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report