Volunteering

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

Volunteer Your Time

Volunteers are extremely important to OLT. Whether you have a few hours during your next visit or a full day for a special event, please consider a donation of your time to help us work more efficiently toward the protection of the northern San Luis Valley’s unique resources and open space. Help us learn of your interests by filling out a Volunteer Candidate Application. Print the application, fill it out and mail it in or give us a call to have an application sent to you. Make sure to track any time you spend volunteering so that we can give you credit for your time.

Student volunteers from Colorado College planted trees to help restore riparian areas
of the Everson Ranch. Volunteers are a valuable part of the Orient Land Trust family
- thanks to everyone who has contributed money, time, and sweat over the years!

Summer Volunteer Host Positions
The five Host opportunities listed below are all "full time", onsite positions that run for a month or more during our peak visitor season between May and September.

New! KOOL Host
KOOL = Kids Outdoors Observing Life! Do you have experience teaching or have knowledge of environmental education? An exciting new program under development is an environmental education program for kids (or kids at heart). Nature Deficit Disorder in our children is a growing concern across the country. This program will be designed to excite, educate and connect the youth with our environment and the beauty surrounding Valley View. If you are experienced with environmental education and would like to volunteer as the new KOOL Host please click here for the KOOL Host job description. See here for the Volunteer Host Application.

Astronomy Host
Do you have an interest in astronomy and experience with telescopes? Then consider spending a month here providing astronomy education and assisting guests in viewing the celestial wonders above us. And with our clear, dark skies here in the San Luis Valley, we have some of the best star viewing conditions in the country! Time and interest permitting, Astronomy Hosts will also lead daytime tours of Orient Land Trust’s hydroelectric facility. See here for the Astronomy Host job description. See here for the Volunteer Host Application.

Camp Host / Volunteer Coordinator
Camp Host / Volunteer Coordinators will manage Orient Land Trust volunteers and serve as a full-time OLT ambassador to visitors. Our Camp Host is often the first contact for visitors (particularly campers) when they have questions or concerns while staying at Valley View. See here for the Camp Host job description. See here for the Volunteer Host job application.

Discovery Host
Discovery Hosts will staff the Welcome Center (in conjunction with front desk staff) and be the orientation point person, greeting and informing visitors on the many unique aspects of Orient Land Trust, including layout and amenities of Valley View Hot Springs. Time and interest permitting, Discovery Hosts may also lead tours of OLT’s hydroelectric facility or other features. See here for the Discovery Host job description. See here for the Volunteer Host Application.

Orient Mine Bat Tour Host
Orient Mine Bat Tour Hosts will lead evening walking tours to the Orient Mine to watch the bat outflight, managing the integrity of the bat habitat and educating visitors on the history of the Orient Mine as well as the natural history of Mexican free-tailed bats. Time and interest permitting, Orient Mine Bat Tour Hosts will also lead daytime tours of Orient Land Trust’s hydroelectric facility. See here for the Bat Tour Host job description. See here for the Volunteer Host Application.

On-site, Short-term Projects

Check in the Welcome Center for a list of projects that can be completed in a few hours.

Help with Large Mailings

Each year we publish an annual newsletter to thousands of people and occasionally we send special mailings. We need volunteer to stuff and seal envelopes, attach stamps and sort mail. Would you like to help out?

Organize and Work Special Events

We can always use help organizing and soliciting businesses for items in support of OLT special events such as our annual Member Appreciation Weekend, silent auction or raffle, or 4^th of July Fireworks display. We will also need volunteers to help work at these events.

Staff an Informational Booth

Would you like to attend a community event on behalf of OLT? As part of our community outreach efforts we attend the Crestone Music Festival, 4^th of July in Crestone and Memorial Day Sunday in Saguache.

Organize the Annual County Road Cleanup

We need help organizing volunteers to pick up trash and debris along County Road GG. Are you looking for a volunteer leadership role this spring or next fall? This may be the one for you.

Distribute Brochures

Would you like to help forge a link between OLT and your local businesses and/or organizations? Help keep your favorite groups stocked with OLT literature. Initially, ask businesses and organizations to display brochures and then check back with them every couple months to restock.

Organize a New Fundraiser

Would you like to organize your own fundraiser which would benefit the Orient Land Trust? Let us know if you have a special idea which you would like to see through to completion.

Special Projects

Many times we have projects which require special skills or expertise. If you have special talents (legal, information technology, public relations, natural resource, graphic design, artistic, etc.) which you would like to offer, please let us know. We’ll keep you in our database and call you as needed.

Outdoor Projects

We know many of you would like to assist with outdoor projects. Our trails need maintenance as well as occasional new construction. We also have an ongoing battle with non-native species and wildfire mitigation. Do you want to get physical?

Facility Maintenance and Construction

We can always use help with the maintenance of our numerous facilities. Also, we have a list of projects waiting to be built. Do you have carpentry, painting or mechanical repair skills?

Fundraising

We need help soliciting businesses for donated goods and/or services on an ongoing basis for OLT fundraisers. Are you a good recruiter? OLT is looking to expand its support base and needs outgoing volunteers to recruit new members. Occasionally, we need volunteers to sell tickets to special events and we always encourage the sale of OLT merchandise.

Get Involved with a Committee

OLT has six active committees. Are you interested in participating in the Resource Development, Board Development, Nominating, Land Management Plan, Land Action or Investment Committees? Get involved today!

Interested in Serving in the OLT Board of Directors?

Every March, at least three seats open on the Orient Land Trust Board of Directors. We solicit applicants with interest and time to fill these positions. The Board is legally and fiscally responsible for the organization. It sets policy, establishes goals and budgets, and hires and monitors the performance of the Executive Director. One-third of the directors are elected for terms of three years at the annual meeting each March. Board members are volunteers. Read the complete job description. Interested individuals should submit a letter of intent and resume to the Board Development Committee, Orient Land Trust, PO Box 65, Villa Grove, CO 81155 or email to bd@olt.org. Letters should highlight your experience with nonprofits (including volunteer boards), fundraising, finance, work on committees, volunteerism, familiarity with OLT, your interests and expertise, and why you should be asked to join the board.

Botanists, Wildlife Biologists, Weed Scientists and Historians Needed

We have started conducting inventories of the flora and fauna of OLT properties and need help completing this project. Are you able to identify and key out plant or animal species? Do you have an interest in compiling historical and/or cultural documents or doing research into past activity on OLT lands?