Orient Land Trust
                                   Valley View Hot Springs
                                   Email: info@olt.org

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Mission Statement

What's New

Facts for First-Time Visitors

Overnight Lodging & Camping

Rate Information

Maps and Directions

Brochures & Newsletters

Programs

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Everson Ranch

Volunteering

Reservation Availability Calendars

Calendar of Events

Staff & Board of Directors

Board Meetings

Before You Visit

Admission and Reservations

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 P.O. Box 65  Villa Grove, Colorado  81155-0065
 719-256-4315
Office / Phone Hours: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM Mountain Time every day
Day visitors (not staying overnight) must arrive by 8:30 pm
Open to the Public 7 days a week except closed  December 1st - December 28th
Web address: www.olt.org

Welcome to Orient Land Trust
Orient Land Trust is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to the preservation of natural and biological resources, agricultural lands, wildlife habitat, open space, and historic and geologic features of the northern San Luis Valley for the enjoyment of current and future generations. 100% of unrestricted donations go towards open space and land conservation.

Learn more about Land Conservation...
See here for a good overview of land trusts, conservation easements, tax credits, and how Orient Land Trust
works with land owners to preserve land here in the San Luis Valley.

The serenity of winter at the Everson Ranch...

See what Orient Land Trust is all about - protecting the land, water, and clean air of the San Luis Valley.
View two pages of images of our peaceful rural beauty here and here. (large files - long download)

 

LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LEFT to buy tickets for the Bigger and Better than ever 2009 OLT Raffle!
Tickets are on sale at Valley View through Thanksgiving Day for this year's raffle, which includes a top prize of $5000!

Features of the lands protected by Orient Land Trust include a large bat colony, hot springs, alternative energy use, high altitude dark skies for astronomy, an exposed active geological fault, limestone caves, numerous trails into a wilderness area, historic buildings, town sites at an abandoned iron mine and a working ranch. Visitors to Orient Land Trust experience these features in a naturist (clothing-optional) setting and may camp or stay in rustic lodging.  The number of visitors is limited based on space available and environmental impact.


~ Mid November ~
The freshly painted Cedar (green) and Aspen (yellow) cabins under a brilliant autumn sky.
See What's New and Mission for other current views of Orient Land Trust.

See the new Orient Land Trust page on Facebook and add yourself as a "fan" to join our brand-new online community.
This is a great way to connect with other fans of OLT / Valley View and start discussion groups, share experiences, post photos, and stay in touch with the place you love.


Autumn is Calendar Buying Time!
~ Take home all the seasons of OLT / Valley View ~
The 2010 Orient Land Trust Calendar is available for $16 at the Welcome Center or for $18.50 by mail.
If you can't make it to Valley View, call 719-256-4315 or e-mail us to order yours today!

Revision to previously announced 2010 Vehicle Camping Rates.
The additional charge for a Vehicle campsite (starting in 2010) has been lowered to $5 extra per night, year-round
- this is a reduction from the summer rate of $10 per night that was published at the time of the September e-Newsletter. See
2010 Rate Information page for complete rates for all Hot Springs Use, Camping, and Lodging effective January 1, 2010.

Important - Moratorium on Outside Vending at Orient Land Trust effective November 1, 2009.
Important news for massage therapists, jewelry sellers, and other vendors who have sold goods or services at OLT / Valley View
.
In order to address the questions and problems arising from the lack of a comprehensive policy regarding independent vendors working on OLT grounds, the Board of Directors approved a moratorium on all outside vendors at the October 17th Board meeting. A comprehensive policy will be developed by May of 2010, but in the meantime outside vending at Orient Land Trust (including massage and other energy or bodywork) will not be permitted from November 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010. We will be soliciting feedback in early 2010 to gather input and ideas to help us better formulate our new vendor management plan. See
Vendor Moratorium page for the complete text of the moratorium.

Important information on Caver access to the Orient Mine.
Due to the White Nose Syndrome affecting bat colonies in the eastern US, the Orient Mine will be closed to caver access until further notice.
See
Orient Mine Closure Information page for details. Note - this does not affect summer hikes to the cave to see the bat outflight.

New Policy on Dogs at Orient Land Trust effective July 1, 2009.
Important news for Dog Owners - In response to a growing number of dog-related issues and problems in the last few years, Orient Land Trust is reluctantly revising our policy on dogs. See New Dog Policy page for details.

* A Permanent Change In Our Campfire Policy *
Orient Land Trust is strengthening our commitment to the environment and protecting our fragile land by permitting campfires only at the Picnic Pavilion and Soaking Pond firepits, regardless of conditions. And now, there is a NEW group campfire at a great location next to a stream in the "Park", the main wooded area of the Tent Campground. Of course, any higher-level state or county-wide fire bans would still take precedence. See our Campfire Policy page for additional information and details.

We have an opening on our Board of Directors. See here for information on becoming a board member and helping to guide the future direction of OLT.

If you aren't already on our mailing list and would like to stay up-to-date with
news and events at Orient Land Trust, sign up here for our e-Newsletters:
Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for OLT Email Newsletters
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How to get here - See Directions and Maps

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2009 Rates for Hot Springs Use and Lodging

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New to OLT / Valley View Hot Springs? See First-Time Visitor Information

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Why donate? A summary of Annual Contributor Benefits available to OLT members

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See What's New for current weather and road conditions, fire ban, and bat information

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A History and Overview of Orient Land Trust

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Everson Ranch in the autumn - See why we are more than just a clothing-optional hot springs resort!

Valley View Hot Springs is entirely off the grid!
See what we ALL can do to reduce our energy footprint and lessen our contribution to global warming.

See here for information about the Orient Land Trust Privacy and Contact Policy.

The bylaws of Orient Land Trust state that "No discrimination shall exist toward any person, employee, member or guest in any program, activity or facility of the corporation
on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age or national or ethnic origin
".

Donations to Orient Land Trust are tax-deductible under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. See Ways to Give.

For general information or suggestions about OLT / Valley View, please e-mail Orient Land Trust
Questions or comments about our website? Please e-mail John Lorenz
All photographs © John Lorenz - www.johnlorenzphoto.com

Last updated Tuesday November 17, 2009