Orient Land Trust
Our Primary Mission: Land
Conservation
Wish we had a dollar for every time someone has
made an observation about “more and more lights” in the valley. There is no
doubt that the agricultural character of the
San
Luis
Valley
is changing: more forty-acre parcels, more houses, and more yard lights.
Since our inception in 2001, we have preserved 2,100 acres of pristine
land in the Valley.
Click here for a map of properties under Orient Land Trust management.
In 2001, Neil and Terry Seitz and other dedicated folks created the Orient Land
Trust to ensure that Valley View Hot Springs and the surrounding area remain the
open and serene setting that has captivated many people’s hearts and minds.
Recognizing the increasing development pressures in the Valley in 2004,
Orient Land Trust purchased the neighboring ranch west of Valley View Hot
Springs known as the Everson Ranch.
Historically, Valley View Hot Springs was a
part of this ranch until 1979 when Seitz’s bought the
hot springs.
The hot spring water still irrigates the pastures there.
Continuing to expand the conservation lands,
OLT purchased the 160-acre Raby-Oxley Ranch to the north of the Everson
Ranch across County Rd GG. With generous financial
contributions from OLT members, we are able to continue working on our
mission of land conservation in the northern
San
Luis
Valley.
The next step in Orient Land Trust’s land
conservation mission is working with landowners in the northern
San
Luis
Valley
to find ways of preserving the agricultural values of their land.
While farming and ranching activities continue on their lands, the open
spaces that we all appreciate are kept open for the wildlife.
In the end, it is a win-win-win situation for the ranchers, the public,
and the environment.
For additional
information on how you can work together with OLT
to protect and conserve land in the northern San Luis Valley:
Orient Land Trust