If you live close enough to Valley View to have considered working here this may be your dream opportunity. We have openings for 2 part time or possibly a full time Front Desk position starting immediately. Housekeeping also has openings. These links will take you to the job descriptions and an application.

The first Saturday in May we celebrated the international World Naked Gardening Day at the Everson Ranch. This now global event was started in 2005 and has become an annual tradition at the Everson Ranch.

We had perfect weather to experience working in the great outdoors and in the greenhouse. For some participants it was an introduction to clothes freedom through gardening. Other free spirited proponents were seasoned, shedding their clothes tending the OLT garden while tanning and absorbing vitamin D on their whole bodies. Thanks to the participants' eager effort we received the help we needed for grass and weed removal in preparation for our spring planting of flowers and vegetables. After lunch time together a group toured the chicken coops since they had many questions on how to start your own backyard chicken enclosures.

It was a great day to go all natural in nature, to experience a connection to mother earth and with others that were looking for a stronger bond with nature.

The "Worm Ranch Workshop" in June was our educational event this year at the ranch. Through hands-on experience we learned about in- and outdoor worm casting. Turning the compost and introducing the worms into their new home sparked many light hearted and humorous conversations. Some participants got to take worms home to start their own cast for their garden or as bates for fishing.

We hope the guest speaker from Wyoming will come back next year to share her expertise. Thank you for those that participated and supported the event with their donations.

Ranch Volunteers

It has been wonderful to have the great help of the ranch volunteers. THANK YOU! Some volunteers join the ranch for 2 weeks (our minimum) others are staying for up to 4 months, helping with the garden and the ranch chores. For this year all our openings have been filled. We will post again in 2024 for new openings.

Sabine Borchers/ranch caretaker and garden manager

Congratulations to Crystal England who was selected to become the Deputy Director of Orient Land Trust. After two years of review, the decision was made at the April 2023 board meeting. Crystal has been on the front desk staff for seven years and is familiar with many of the guests and much of the framework of Orient Land Trust. We will be utilizing her able assistance throughout the organization.

CAN YOU IMAGINE YOURSELF AS AN OLT BOARD MEMBER? WE CAN!

Orient Land Trust's current board of director's goal is to ensure that the vision and mission of OLT is met by working closely with OLT staff to keep things spinning like a smooth-running hydro generator creating energy that electrifies all visitors! We believe OLT's influence joins other similar tribes in the international arena of love as being guardians of our future world. Perhaps this season may include you applying to be on the Orient Land Trust executive board?

It is our honor to encourage interested OLT members, volunteers and committee members to consider applying to become a future board member. Please consider submitting a letter of interest for serving as an OLT board member. In your letter you may share experiences you have with nonprofits (including volunteer boards), fundraising, finance, committee work, volunteerism bridged with your familiarity with your own experiences at Valley View and the Orient Land Trust (OLT) bio-region and any other pertinent information you would like to share.

You may email your letter of interest, resume and any questions you might have about the application process to . You can also read more about being a board member at https://www.olt.org/olt/get-involved/openings and below:

Learn More...

The Orient Land Trust learning curve can be steep for members who are curious about the scope of OLT (it's sooo much more than soaking pools). Here are some fun ideas for discovering what Orient Land Trust board candidates may recommend as part of an OLT adventure.

There are adventures where you can learn more of the scope of OLT. Enjoy a tour of the farm, gardens, bats or take a hydro tour. Questions about the bioregion, wildlife, invertebrates, astronomy, water, mountain biking and hiking trails or running an "off grid" non-profit business begins at the Visitors Center. Educate yourself about the many layers of OLT by reading the informative OLT web site.

Join a Committee...

Would you like to join an OLT committee? This is an excellent way to serve OLT and learn more about the operations of this non-profit enterprise. Contact a Committee Chair for more information if interested:

External Affairs (Outreach and Fundraising). Contact;
Internal Affairs (Finances & Human Resource). Contact;
Conservation (Resource and Protection) Contact;
Site Plan (Focus on Valley View). Contact;
Long Term Visioning (Future Direction) Contact;

Attend a board Meeting...

Observing an Orient Land Trust board meeting is an informative way to learn if you may be interested in becoming a future OLT board member. You can find more specifics of when board meetings occur and expectations of being on the board at the OLT website. https://www.olt.org/get-involved/openings .

All board applications are taken very seriously by the Governance Committee, so please do not let any obstacle (age, gender, disability, etc.) keep you from applying.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Submitted by Jon Florey, co-chair of the Governance Committee and Jim Manley, co-chair of the Governance Committee = .

Live Music is back for Member Appreciation Weekend Friday night July 28 and Saturday night July 29.

Friday July 28 from 8 pm-Midnight The Alcapones perform. 

The Alcapones is a Ska and Reggae band formed high in the Rockies of Colorado's Front Range in 2012. Their original songs draw heavily on inspiration from the groundbreaking sound of 1960'S & 70'S Jamaican Ska, Reggae, Rocksteady and Dub music. The result is an eclectic sound that can be enjoyed by a wide variety of musical tastes - everything from old-school Ska, Heavy Dub, Funky Reggae, to Island Bluegrass. The Alcapone's groovy recipe is sure to continuously inspire your feet on the dance floor - this is mountain music at its finest!

Monday, May 22, 2023 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

At this educational, hands on workshop you will learn how to set up a worm bed, how to maintain the worm bed, and how to sort out the worms from their castings. Both indoor and outdoor vermicomposting systems will be discussed. Bring your questions and ask the Worm Wrangler!

If you wish to purchase worms or worm castings to be picked up at the event, please contact Erika (Wyoming Worm Wrangler) before May 6th. Worms may be available at the event, but there are no guarantees. You can reach her at 307-760-6171 via phone or text, email at , or through her Wyoming Worm Wrangler Facebook or Instagram pages.

You should feel confident in starting your own worm bed after this workshop!

This is a free event although donations will be accepted and appreciated to support Erika and the Everson Ranch.

Location: Everson Ranch, 29398 County Road 61, Moffat, Colorado 81143

Sabine Borchers, Everson Ranch garden manager:

We are still looking to round out the schedule of hardy Everson Ranch volunteers for this season.

The Everson Ranch in Colorado is looking for volunteers for the season of 2023!

Some details:

Minimum of 2 weeks between May and December

Physical, outdoor environment in the San Luis Valley

Daily chores ranging from animal care, working in the garden, general clean up, clearing downed trees, lawn mowing, cleaning bathhouse kitchen facility, irrigation chores, welcoming visitors and supporting hosting events.

Enthusiasm for work projects as they arise

Basic gardening and carpentry skills are a plus

We offer:

The setting is a remote, quiet, peaceful 150 year old ranch on 760 acres with endless hiking possibilities. Two hot springs nearby; one, part of OLT (Valley View Hot Springs) and the other is Joyful Journey Hot Springs and Spa. Fresh vegetables from the garden in the summer. Majestic view of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. For pictures and background information, go to olt.org (website) or watch the Historical Everson Ranch, Orient Land Trust on Youtube. RV or tent camping. Use of shower, bathroom, and fully equipped kitchen.

Day Pass admission to Valley View Hot Springs as availability permits (in the range of 1-3 times per week).

For more information, send inquiries to:

Join us May 26th for live music from the front porch at the Everson Ranch! Jon Sousa and Kroja will kick off the evening at 7pm with an acoustic set that will have us dancing until dark. We'll pass the hat to support the musicians.

Astronomy is one of our most popular educational programs, and we're excited to bring the telescope to the Everson Ranch! Stay after dark for a look at the night sky and the moon.

Bring your dancing shoes, chair, and a blanket and join us as we kick off summer!

Lisa Lestander and Jon Sousa play traditional folk music from Scandinavia and Ireland. Their music is an invitation to slow down and connect with what is most authentic in our human experience.

Born in the city of Umeå in northern Sweden, Lisa Lestander is a singer and composer of Swedish traditional folk music. She is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm and a founding member of the a cappella folk quartet Kraja, one of the most successful and influential Swedish folk music bands on the international music scene of the past two decades.

Originally from the east coast of the United States, Jon Sousa is a guitarist, composer, and singer who has traveled the globe studying, performing, and teaching. He has a Master's degree in Irish Traditional music performance from the University of Limerick in Ireland and has performed for nearly 2 decades with the acclaimed Irish folk duo, Adam & Jon.

Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/switchbladesousa/sets/lisa-jon

Jon:
https://youtu.be/zmGMVpd2YBQ
https://youtu.be/Thixg6Bac50

Lisa:
https://youtu.be/HOd41grMpTM
https://youtu.be/RJTQeO1yi1Q

Work Event June 10-11

Participate in the revitalization of the historic Everson Ranch at OLT!

Be the first to stay and camp at the ranch this season for our Rebuilding the Ranch event June 10-11.

Enjoy great food, entertainment and campfire on Saturday night, and a Sunday picnic at the reservoir while helping with ranch clean-up projects each day.

Arrive Saturday morning to settle in and join us for lunch. Saturday afternoon we'll combine our efforts re-organizing inventory and cleaning up the ranch. Then we'll make you dinner Saturday night before spending the evening around the campfire, weather permitting. Sunday morning, we'll gather for breakfast before beginning our projects for the day. We'll enjoy a picnic lunch at the beautiful reservoir Sunday afternoon, with time to relax and enjoy the view.

Join us for this event. Register today.

Click to Register for this Event

Orient Land Trust maintains a micro-hydroelectric power generating system that has been in operation in its present form since about 2000. All of the waters on the Valley View property converge at a filtration Collection Box before entering a 9000 ft. long, 12" diameter pipeline that drops 540 ft. in elevation to a Power House near the Valley floor. This delivers a pressure of about 232 PSI to the (Pelton) water wheel inside the building, which in turn drives a three phase, 480 volt Alternator/Generator. This electrical power is increased in voltage for the trip back up the hill and then reduced to normal voltage before being distributed exclusively for the Valley View Village. The amount of electricity that can be generated is dependent on the amount of water that is flowing from the springs. As I write this, we are making about 50 Kilowatts, constantly, every second. Though there is little to be done to make more electricity, everyone has some effect on how it is used.

Because we are not connected to the greater power grid, all of the power that we generate must be used onsite. There is no way to store it or move it and if there is not a destination for every electron, the generator gets out of balance and will quickly shut down altogether. Because of this constraint, we have devised a "load" to use the surplus. This can be energized as power is available or alternatively dropped as that power is called for elsewhere on the property. The destination for surplus power is the heater for the water to the Apple Tree pools. This has allowed us to steadily make our own power for decades.

How does it work? The surplus electricity is directed to the "Governor," which is comprised of computerized controlled circuitry and a custom built stainless steel 120-gallon water tank that carries twenty 4.5-kilowatt heating elements and which has the capability of engaging each heating element as power becomes available and to disengage as that power is called for elsewhere. This electrical diversion system is very responsive and necessary for the hydroelectric plant to stay functional. The system readily demonstrates the laws of cause and effect. When a dryer, stove, water heater, electric baseboard heating unit in a cabin, or the heater in a motorhome is energized, the effect is the power that was going to make the Apple Tree pool water hot is consumed. An element in the Governor tank that was heating water a moment ago turns off to supply these other immediate demands. These heating elements are what create the hot water in the Apple Tree Pools.

You can make a difference! When appliances are left on and unattended in cabins, the Pavilion or mobile homes, the power that they are using is removed from the available supply that provides current to a heating element at the Governor Tank. Therein lies the answer to the recurring question, "Why are the Apple Tree pools not hot?" For example, when a guest turns the thermostat in their cabin on, this engages a backup (only for sub-zero nights really) electric baseboard heater. Turning on electric space heaters takes heat from the Apple Pools. If guests leave windows and/or doors open, these baseboard heaters will just stay on and that power will never be available to the Pools. Comfortable, geothermal in floor or warm water baseboard units provide primary heating for all of the accommodation Cabins, Sunset Rooms, and Oak House so using the Electric baseboard heater should not be necessary except during very cold episodes.

Orient Land Trust, besides being a destination for Hot Springs, provides an opportunity for all of us to learn how our human supporting technologies work and how we can create sustainable practices so they are used in a manner that best benefits all of us. Please pay attention to your electrical and heating demands and practice conservative use both here at Valley View and wherever else you may be.

Thank You!