The Governance Committee accepts applications for new board members all year long. With terms expiring every July, we are always keeping a lookout for interested, committed people to serve on the board. The commitment is for a three year term that involves four board meetings a year, intermittent work sessions, serving on a committee or two, available by email to address concerns that arise between board meetings, and the ability and willingness to read financial reports and consider the proposals concerning the direction and projects of Orient Land Trust. Those that have a long relationship might have an advantage though anyone that recognizes the values and feels a strong connection to OLT is welcome to apply. For more information, contact: Governance Committee Chair by emailing or call 719-256-4315 for more information.

We are currently accepting applications for part time seasonal help for front desk and housekeeping staff. Front desk requires a friendly personality, love to interact with people, good computer skills, and the ability to multitask in a very busy, sometimes noisy office. Housekeeping is physical, laundry, cleaning of accommodations, welcome center and bathhouses. A commitment from April through September as well as a flexible weekly schedule is necessary. OLT does not provide staff housing. Please submit application to or mail to OLT, attention Rosie, PO Box 65, Villa Grove, CO 81155.

Science Camp 2018 is scheduled for July 29th through August 2nd. Our goals are to create awareness of environmental issues, resource sustainability, land and habitat conservation. Our program provides the opportunity to experience this unique environment, to expand knowledge of the natural world and to instill a sense of stewardship and personal responsibility.

Camp begins with orientation on Sunday evening, July 29th. There are three workshops offered daily, Monday through Thursday. Workshops in hydroelectricity, geology, astronomy, animal husbandry and Everson Ranch, aquatic entomology, plant ecology, photography, a bat hike to the Orient Mine, along with yoga, art, campfires and s'mores. The science is geared to children age 7 - 12, with a maximum of 30 participants.

A commitment for the entire week is required and parent or guardian must be present on OLT property. There is no fee for the camp. New this year there will be a cancellation fee of $25 per child if you cancel after May 31st. Parents may tag along and enjoy the workshops or visit the hot springs. Reservations and hot springs passes are required and not included in camp registration. All membership guidelines apply, be sure to make advanced reservations for hot springs use, we do reach capacity everyday in July!

Science Camp 2018 is supported by a Saguache County Sales Tax Grant and Orient Land Trust! If you have questions or would like to register, please contact Rosie at 719-256-4315 or email

January weather was much warmer and drier than normal. There is very little snow in the mountains and the daytime temperatures are mild. While this may cause drought problems in the months to come, it makes for pleasant conditions at the hot springs. The month of January saw a noticeable increase in the number of guests at the hot springs compared to past years. We've enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new people and have been grateful for the reprieve we've had from dealing with snow and cold. Our many thanks to everybody for a pleasant and peaceful beginning to the year!

This year's first baby goats have arrived and we are thrilled to announce they are a set of triplets! The kids were born on January 29th in the middle of the warm sunny day. Since that time they are doing great and have already stolen our hearts with their exuberant personalities and adorableness!! We do have more mamas that are expected to deliver in the upcoming weeks. Anyone who would like visit the ranch and experience the playful love of a baby goat is welcome to come on down!

We are also fostering two 10 week old border collie/heeler mix puppies who are looking for loving homes. Stop by and see how much they have already learned from the time they've spent working on the ranch! For more information contact or 719-480-3336

Remember to look for baby highlands in the spring and piglets mid summer.

2017 was a banner year for volunteers with 128 dedicated people donating 8,275 hours in facilities, at the ranch and garden, as camp hosts, discovery hosts, bat tour guides and astronomy hosts. Others helped with weed pulling, trail building, consulting or as a committee member or board director. Thank you to all of the incredible people who helped last year, your participation is appreciated!

Calling all Astronomers! Last year we installed a new 16" Meade Scope. I am currently seeking volunteers who have interest in being trained to run the scope and give astronomy tours. You don't need to be a professional but a passion for astronomy and an understanding of the universe is necessary. Previous telescope experience is helpful. The schedule for astronomers would be a three night training with lead astronomer Mark Cunningham. Once you have demonstrated how to operate the equipment, you would be scheduled to run astronomy tours. A two week commitment is preferred.

Gardeners & Ranchers! 2017 saw the second Everson Ranch garden and a new green house built. Many opportunities available for help in the garden and with the animals. Experience not required, work is outdoors and very physical. Ranch volunteers camp at the Ranch, hot springs day access provided.

Our volunteers are an important part of the Orient Land Trust and help us to take excellent care of this very special place. If you have time and expertise to share, please consider becoming an active part of this program.

For the descriptions of opportunities and an application please go to our web site www.olt.org. From the home page, select Get Involved and then Volunteers. Please email me at if you have questions or would like to schedule.

The re-opening of the hot springs in late December went fairly well. The weather was mild and sunny. We were grateful not to be plowing the road, shoveling snow, and sanding the walkways. The weather continues to be quite nice for outdoor activities as of January 17th. The mountains are bare and we'll want some moisture eventually. In the meantime, we might as well enjoy the mild temperatures. It's not often that you can be comfortable on a short afternoon hike without clothing in early January.

Over the New Year's holiday, we discovered a burned out and broken element in the sauna heater. The sauna remained usable with the remaining element but it did take longer for the temperature to recover from the continually opening door with lots of traffic and a cooled down stove due to lots of water being poured on. When the sauna is functioning normally, the water boils away more quickly. With an element out, the extra water caused the air temperature to go down ten to twenty degrees and it took longer to heat back up. Remember to be careful when putting water on the hot rocks. Water will damage the electrical heating elements so be careful to prevent water splashing into the heater itself.

In the presence of eternity, the mountains are as transient as the clouds.
-Robert Green Ingersoll

Visit our website: olt.org 
to learn more about Massage & Bodywork during your Valley View visit.

Or contact Cynthia Nielsen
Massage Therapy Coordinator

"What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness." – John Steinbeck

The work is never done! 365 days a year, seven days a week, there's no end to what must be done on the ranch. Even in the dead of winter there's lots to do. In fact, it can be the most challenging time of year!

Keeping the animals healthy and warm are top priority. Ranch Manager, Mike, daily hand feeds livestock since the pastures are usually frozen or blanketed with snow. Making sure that the critters all have plenty to eat helps to build up fat and body heat. Water troughs are constantly maintained to make sure they don't freeze. Shelters are winterized by making sure they are wind and leak proof as much as possible. Stapled on feed bags make the best coverings for openings and extra insulation. The floors are lined with a thick layer of straw. This provides a cozy bed. When the bedding becomes soiled, a clean layer is applied on top and a composting process starts which generates heat, like an electric blanket. Above all, it is love perhaps that keeps the ranch animals going strong throughout winter.

Winter is a great time for maintenance projects that have been put off during the busy warm months. There isn't a better time to clean the shop, the vehicles, and the freezers. One of the biggest jobs is fence repair. Our animal herds spend a good amount of time trying to find ways into the "greener pastures" and the fences can get really out of shape.

The cold season is also an opportunity to take some time to revisit goals and update them for the next year. As we're planning for the coming year, we have the chance to figure out what we can do differently and some new ideas to try.

Year round tours are available at Everson Ranch and winter is a magical time for guests. A visit to the ranch is both fun and educational. The Scenery is breathtaking and it can be a wonderful place to take an adventurous walk. Everyone is welcome to come learn about our holistic grazing program and enjoy the beauty of winter!

Attention OLT wildlife corridor and landscape lovers;
Please find a moment to write a letter to the Rio Grande National Forest planning team regarding their twenty-year Forest Plan revision.

The deadline for public input ends Friday, December 29th. This is your opportunity for public input regarding how the Rio Grande Forest surrounding Orient Land Trust will be managed over the next twenty critical years.

The San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council (SLVEC), your public lands advocacy organization located in Alamosa, makes the following recommendations for comments: (please express your own personal experience and use the following suggestions, when appropriate)