Members are invited July 19th-21st for our annual members appreciation weekend! Live Music on Friday and Saturday nights from 8-midnight at the pavilion. 

Friday night we welcome The River Arkansas 

The four-piece each skillfully showcases their craft while seamlessly bonding together as a band. Bolder Beat noted that "Together, they give off a heartfelt and wholesome sound which resonates with the Colorado lifestyle of mountain life meets the pavement."

Saturday night will include a live performance from Float Like a Buffalo.

Float Like a Buffalo is a Denver-based 6-piece, 9-instrument, high-energy Funk Rock band. Our style is rock with funk, ska, reggae, and jam influences. Nods to the funk of Lettuce and The Motet, jam of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, rock of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Chicago Transit Authority, soul of James Brown, & high-energy guitar licks of Jimi Hendrix all combine to make a unique sound that's impossible not to dance to.

Saturday, May 4th, 2024 at the Everson Ranch

It is that time of the year again: Please come and join us for a fun day of celebrating the 2024 International World Naked Gardening Day at the Everson Ranch. At this annual event you can experience gardening in the open or just spend some time at the ranch. We would appreciate your help clearing the garden beds in preparation for planting flowers and vegetables in the greenhouses and in the field.

The ranch will open at 9:00am. We start to work at 9:30am and continue as long as people like to help that day.

This is a free, fun, lighthearted and liberating event. Gardeners and non gardeners of all ages are welcome!

On this day gardeners all over the world are getting together to shed some or all their clothes to attend to the gardens and connect with the natural world. You might want to dress in layers since the weather in early May is unpredictable. It could be warm, mild, cold, windy, warm, snowy, and all of the above on the same day.

Please bring: Solid shoes, sunscreen, sun hat, sun glasses, water bottle, and gardening gloves. You might like to bring your lunch to enjoy after gardening. After lunch there will be a tour of the ranch for those that are interested.

If you are thinking of trying naked gardening or just would like to experience working in the garden at the Everson Ranch, please come and join us!

Everson Ranch, 29398 C.R. 61, Moffat, Colorado 81143
(Sabine Borchers/garden manager/ranch caretaker)

The Everson Ranch is hosting the following workshop:

Backyard Gardening with Mushrooms

on Sunday June 9th from 10am-1pm.

This mushroom inoculation course will consist of a brief overview of the Kingdom/Queendom Fungi and its importance within many facets of our lives and well-being, as well as a short demonstration of how to effectively inoculate mycelium on a small area of land to grow mushrooms locally, outside, in the San Luis Valley and beyond. Tylor, Daniellen, and their son Boletus will engage the participants of this workshop at the Everson Ranch to leave a lasting imprint through education and practical knowledge about Fungi. Their family owned and operated mushroom farm, Alpine Valley Mushrooms, will be set up with local mushroom products for sale as well.
This is a free event, donations to support the presenter and the Everson Ranch are appreciated.

Location of the workshop: Everson Ranch, 29398 County Road 61, Moffat, CO 81143
(Sabine Borchers, garden manager/ranch caretaker)

The San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado is a huge, high-altitude valley extending north to south for over 100 miles on into New Mexico. It is primarily rural farmland mostly irrigated by an aquifer under the valley floor. It is bordered on the east by the Sangre de Cristo mountain range and on the west by the much older San Juan mountain range. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is located there, along with several natural hot springs.

Valley View Hot Springs is one of the hot springs there and is located near the northern end of the valley and sits up on the west side of he Sangre de Cristos. It is part of a non-profit land trust that also includes the Everson Ranch on the valley floor below the hot springs and a defunct iron mine that closed in many years ago. In the summer time, half a million Mexican free-tailed bats migrate up from Mexico and inhabit the mine. They come out every evening at dusk and eat millions of mosquitos and other harmful insects, keeping those populations under control.

Recent Wildfire Hazard Clean-up

On April 21, as part of OLT's efforts to mitigate wildfire risk, Doug Bishop led a group of eight OLT members and staff in the removal of dead wood and other fire hazards from the tent camping sites between the Welcome Center and Meadow Pond. In less than two hours, the group had the campsites cleaned up and looking good. Thanks to all who helped!

Orient Land Trust is hiring!

We are currently hiring for the position of Visitor Services Manager at Valley View Hot Springs. Join our dynamic, fast-paced environment where employees are valued for their contributions and perspectives. We seek a team player with strong communication skills who shares OLT's community values and mission. 

Department: Visitor Services 
Job Title: Visitor Services Manager 
Supervisor: Executive Director 
Position Type: Full-time with some overtime possible and expected. This position is a non-exempt, hourly position. 
Pay Range: Starting at $18 to $22 hourly in addition to compensation arrangements for overnights 
FLSA Status: Nonexempt 
Benefits include: An employee may be eligible for OLT group health plan coverage the first of the month after 60 days of employment depending on the hours worked and for Paid Time Off (PTO) benefits after 120 days of employment depending on the hours worked.
Location(s): Valley View Hot Springs property primarily. Everson Ranch and other OLT properties as needed
Job Relationships: Work closely with ED and all department managers and staff.
Position Overview: Under the supervision of the Executive Director (ED) and guided by current strategic and operating plans, the VSM is responsible for the smooth operation of visitor services programs and for providing a high-quality visitor experience.

Full Job Description:
Visitor_Services_Manager_Revised_2024.pdf

Link to application:
OLT_Emp_App_01-31-22.pdf

Orient Land Trust is a great place to work! We have a dedicated and friendly staff who work year-round to promote the mission of the land trust, maintain this beautiful property, and assist guests with their visits.

If you live locally and are looking for a new opportunity? Join our Housekeeping team! We have a part-time, seasonal position available, with the possibility of long-term employment. 

For more information, check out our links or email Crystal at

Job Description 

Job Application

Are you looking to get away and enjoy an extended stay in nature? Would you give a few hours a day towards our cause? Consider volunteering at Valley View Hot Springs or the historic Everson Ranch.

Valley View volunteers are dedicated to keeping our natural setting peaceful, beautiful, and operating efficiently. Volunteers assist us with a myriad of details that keep things flowing smoothly and we count on volunteers to get it all done.

The beautiful setting of the historic Everson Ranch offers inspiring views and star-filled nights. As we aim to increase visitation, we are asking for volunteers to assist us with guests. We also have opportunities to work in the garden, help with the animals, and with chores.

Become a part of our volunteer community! Opportunities available March - October.
Email for the application, more information, or with any questions.

It's that time again!

Every year, a group of dedicated volunteers participate in our annual weed pull!

This is an opportunity to get your hands dirty and reduce the noxious weed population. Noxious weeds are "non-native invasive plants that displace desirable vegetation and degrade natural and agricultural lands. They threaten our drinking water supply, crops, pasture lands, and native habitats." Most of the weeds we pull are from the state of Colorado's B list. These include Bull Thistle, Houndstongue, and Henbane.

OLT is committed to working on our weed issue without using chemical sprays or weed killers, so volunteer power is critical.

This year, volunteers will arrive on May 22nd for a day of relaxation before the work begins at 8 am on the morning of the 23rd. We will start the day by gathering and receiving training on which invasive species we are targeting and how to properly remove them. We will work until one on the 23rd and 24th.

There are a few more volunteers needed for this year's workshop. VVHS admission fees and tent camping will be provided on May 22nd and 23rd.

Contact our volunteer coordinator to sign up! Email Crystal at  

It has surprised us on many occasions to hear guests advising other guests with incorrect information. There have been a few changes over the past 4 years that may not be familiar to everyone. This is an attempt to get everyone on the same page, Veterans and First Time Guests. Please take a few minutes to read the guidelines and information for planning a visit. If you ever have questions while you are visiting OLT/Valley View our front desk staff are happy to give direction or answers. Thank you.

Information to Help Plan Your Visit to Valley View

Visitors Guide