Orient Land Trust is a non-profit land trust created around Valley View Hot Springs, its unique culture and environment.

With the Orient Mine and Everson Ranch, we now protect 2,200 acres, its wildlife corridor, pristine spring waters, hiking trails, rustic cabins, and camping. Visitors of all ages and walks of life enjoy free educational programs, clothing-optional naturist open space, geothermal warmth, hydroelectric energy, and Colorado's largest bat colony.  Read more...

Guidelines Rates and Reservations Bat Tours

A fish in murky waters
Sunday, July 5th, 2015

Bug Repellent, Sunblock... our Fish and Birds

Lots of rain, tall grass, bright sun, early summer. Add them all together and you get gnats and mosquitoes and sunburn. Nobody likes them. The bats will help with the bugs. The warm weather encourages us to shed our clothes and enjoy the warmth of summer. Sunblock protects us from sunburn and repellents help keep the pests away. However, we are at the top of a watershed and what we…
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Breakfast at Member's Weekend 2014
Sunday, July 5th, 2015

Member Appreciation Weekend, Jul 31-Aug 2

This is our chance to give a big Thank You! to all of our members. Thanks for your support! Orient Land Trust depends on your contributions. Your memberships have enabled us to pour water on the hayfields, protect the mine history and bat habitat, stock the freezer with organic grass fed beef, welcome geologists from high schools and colleges, provide research opportunities for biologists, create a thriving habitat for rare…
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Annual Report to be Mailed Soon!
Sunday, July 5th, 2015

Annual Report to be Mailed Soon!

Historically, the printed annual report was mailed out in the fall. Last year, when the time came to publish the annual report, we decided that it made more sense to publish each annual report earlier in the year as the audit was completed. Therefore, we did not publish an annual report last fall and the annual report that will be mailed soon will include the financial report for two years,…
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Gated Pipe Irrigation
Monday, June 1st, 2015

Gated Pipe Irrigation

OLT has made progress on the irrigated hay fields project at the Everson Ranch (pronounced "ee-vur-son"). The project, when finished, will provide water to over 50 acres of hayfields that have been dried up for many years. In 2014, Mike O'Donal, the ranch manager, was able to irrigate and harvest 8 acres of hayfields. This year, we purchased and installed over 1100 feet of ten inch pipe that will supply…
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Summer Science Camp 2013
Monday, June 1st, 2015

Science Camp Updates

Science Camp in July. If you're interested in providing a wonderful week for your child with an emphasis on Science, check out the information letter and registration form. The young scientists will be free ($50.00 deposit refunded after camp ends). Parents can make normal reservation arrangements for the week. Ask for more information at the Welcome Center.
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Old Outhouses
Monday, June 1st, 2015

The Wastewater Treatment Plant

Everyone has heard about the WWTP and the long process involved; including recommendations, designs, permits, and the construction process. What may have been lost in the tale is the accumulating cost of the thing. Construction costs were about $180,000. We also paid the design firm and we paid the State of Colorado for permits. Altogether, the WWTP has cost more than $300.000. The good news is that we only borrowed…
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Board Members 2014
Monday, June 1st, 2015

We Can Use Your Help

If you have considered working on a committee supporting the OLT Board, now is the time to volunteer. If you are considering applying to be on the OLT Board, please send a letter of interest, a resume and references to the Governance Committee ChairsemailProtector.addCloakedMailto("ep_fd3b5813", 1); by June 15th. We look forward to hearing from you.
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  • Naturism by Neil & Terry Seitz, FoundersHistory of Naturism at OLT
  • Words of Wisdom by Neil & Terry Seitz, FoundersSharing experience and wisdom that helped sustain this special place through the decades.

For the education, enjoyment, and well-being of current and future generations, Orient Land Trust: 
promotes a positive clothing-optional experience at all properties including Valley View Hot Springs, Orient Mine and Everson Ranch;
preserves the viewshed, including land acquisition; 
protects natural, wild, agricultural, and historic resources, in the northern San Luis Valley.

Values

  • Dedication to inclusiveness and the public good
  • Accountability to a diverse public community and maintaining their trust
  • Social and environmental justice beyond mandates
  • Respect for the worth and dignity of individuals and nature
  • Embracing naturism through practice and education
  • Modeling collaborative pluralism, transparency, integrity and honesty
  • Pledging excellence and responsibility in stewarding resources
  • Encouraging lifelong learning

Goals

  • Visitor Space Protection and Management: Maintain and protect Valley View Hot Springs as an affordable, peaceful and family-friendly clothing-optional recreational facility that enhances the visitor experience year round.
  • Conservation and Preservation: Follow the highest possible standards for land preservation, agricultural practices, and energy and water conservation.
  • Research and Education: Facilitate scientific research around OLT resources, and promote educational programs and activities suitable for adults and children.
  • Staff Development and Community Relations: Maintain OLT as a responsible citizen of the San Luis Valley.