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Nonprofit Public Service
"Never thought of ourselves as owners so much as stewards. It just made sense to share..." - Terry
Minimal cost and development
Non-profit and noncommercial approach
Free to children under 16
Free tours
Supporting local government (unrequired taxes?)
Supported by your donations
Unspoiled Views
The Orient Land Trust is perhaps best known for protecting its spectacular views. With 2,200 acres over a variety of terrain and surrounded by __ miles of public lands, visitors share a powerful and unique perspective of the world. The viewshed highlights the natural, historic, and agricultural heritage of the northern San Luis Valley, its rural communities, and their gentle pace of life. The skies are wide and open, with dramatic and beautiful weather. Come nightfall, the high altitude and lack of light pollution make provide some of the best stargazing to be found.
Astronomy Program
OLT's location and geography are extremely favorable for great celestial viewing. Several great telescopes were donated for visitors to view the skies in great detail. Our Astronomy Hosts share the science and wonder of the night sky with visitors. With our 8" telescope, guests can spot distant galaxies, fascinating stars, as well the rings and moons surrounding nearby planets.
Heavens Above, Site 1792105 (OLT) - astronomy and satellite events, localized to Valley View Hot Springs
Space Weather - meteor showers, solar weather, and aurora sightings
.jpg "A Donated Telescope")
.jpg "The Night Skyline")
.jpg "Constelation of Orion with Jupiter near Taurus")
.jpg "Lunar Eclipse")
.jpg "Aurora Borealis as seen from Valley View, Mar 30, 2001")
_seen_from_Valley_View_Hot_Springs_-(011-).jpg "Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) seen from Valley View Hot Springs")
_seen_from_Valley_View_Hot_Springs_-(011-)-2.jpg "Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) seen from Valley View Hot Springs")
.jpg "Astronomy Host, Larry Porter sharing his 16")
-2.jpg "Astronomy Host, Larry Porter sharing his 16")
-3.jpg "Astronomy Host, Larry Porter sharing his 16")
-4.jpg "Astronomy Host, Larry Porter sharing his 16")
.jpg "Lunar Eclipse")
.jpg "Doug Bishop viewing the stars")
.jpg "New Astronomy Platform 2016")
-2.jpg "New Astronomy Platform 2016")
All Night Soaking
Year round, our overnight guests can soak comfortably under the stars all night. All areas remain open to all guests throughout the night. We maintain minimal artificial light and recommend having a flashlight ready well before dusk. Most visitors are surprised how comfortably they can soak for hours.
Please be mindful when using flashlights near others and keep a low voice out of respect for those sleeping nearby in tents and cabins.
Spectacular Weather
.jpg "Sunrays over San Luis Valley")
.jpg "Sunrays through clouds, San Luis Valley")
.jpg "Hold in the Clouds")
.jpg "Sunset")
.jpg "Sunset")
.jpg "Sunset sheer cloud formation over Sange de Cristo")
.jpg "Sunset sheer cloud formation over Sange de Cristo")
.jpg "Cresent Moon at Sunset")
.jpg "Double Rainbow over Lake")
.jpg "Rainbow over Orient Mine")
.jpg "Low Hanging Fog")
-2.jpg "Low Hanging Fog")
Vision, Mission, and Strategic Plan
Vision Statement
Orient Land Trust (OLT) is a unique place of peace, community, and soothing waters
that nourish the environment and inspire us to preserve it.
Mission Statement
Orient Land Trust is a nonprofit land trust
dedicated to the preservation of Valley View Hot Springs (VVHS) and its viewshed—
including natural and biologic resources, agricultural lands, wildlife habitat,
open space, and historic and geologic features
of the northern San Luis Valley—
for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations.
Objectives, Goals and Strategies
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.
- Maintain rustic lodging and camping opportunities for all visitors.
- Maintain capacity and group size limits to mitigate the impact of human use the the environment
- Provide a welcoming family-friendly environment.
- Promote naturism along with social and environmental awareness.
Conservation and Preservation: Follow the highest possible standards for land preservation, agricultural practices, and energy and water conservation.
- In Orient Land Trust’s geographical area of concern, protect the view, wildlife corridors, dark skies and open space by utilizing appropriate conservation tools.
- Promote land stewardship with an emphasis on conservation, preservation and education over revenue priorities
- Strive for off-grid energy use and a small carbon footprint for all components of OLT.
- Protect water resources.
Research and Education: Facilitate scientific research around OLT resources, and promote educational programs and activities suitable for adults and children.
- Encourage collaboration with scientists, universities, government agencies and others for scientific studies of OLT resources including geology, biology, hydrology and energy.
- Develop and demonstrate conservation models and programs that teach thoughtful use of limited resources, including energy, water, material goods and land, to reduce each individual’s impact on these resources and to adjust for environmental changes such as drought.
- Provide regular educational programs and activities for guests of all ages.
Staff Development and Community Relations: Maintain OLT as a responsible citizen of the San Luis Valley.
- Maintain a professional staff with expertise in conservation practices, agriculture, energy, finance and accounting, fundraising, and resort management.
- Provide an organizational structure that facilitates accomplishment of OLT’s mission and objectives.
- Follow sound fiscal and project development practices that facilitate accomplishment of OLT's mission and objectives.
Complete Strategic Plan
Letting Nature Prevail
in balance with the natural experience
[admission limits / quotas] reservations highly recommended
[group size limits]
[reduced light]
[sound restrictions]
Mindful Approach
OLT was founded by Neil and Terry Seitz in 2001, building upon the legacy of the Everson Ranch, Valley View Hot Springs, and the Orient Mine. Its founders, owners of Valley View Hot Springs for thirty-five years, knew that the resources of the northern San Luis Valley and specifically the environs surrounding Valley View were simply too valuable to be owned by any person. They needed to be put into trust for everyone, for all time. In 2009 and 2010, the Seitz' donated Valley View Hot Springs and the Orient Mine to OLT. Thus, they created the foundation for the protection of vast, uninterrupted landscapes against ever-increasing usage and development pressure, while preserving the natural, agricultural and historic values of the lands. With their guidance and member support, OLT increased this open space to thousands of protected acres.
Today, OLT's resources include:
- Open space shared among wildlife, agricultural livestock, and over 11,000 visitors annually
- Thousands of acres of protected lands with conservation easements held by The Nature Conservancy and Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife
- Free flowing natural spring water for soaking, drinking, heating, electricity generation, endangered fish habitat, and natural irrigation for OLT's Everson Ranch
- The Everson Ranch Education and Agriculture Center, a historic ranch homestead being transformed into a community center that models sustainable agriculture, conservation of natural resources, promotion of responsible alternative energy, wildlife habitat, historic preservation, open space, and is dedicated to education of all.
- Valley View Hot Springs, a beautiful, natural, historic hot springs village that provides a safe and natural place for people to discover nature and active conservation of natural resources, showcasing a thirty-five year history of low-impact, off-grid hydroelectric generation system (today produces 40 ~ 65kW), geothermal heating and cooling
- Historic Orient Mine and ghost towns showcased by a Colorado Historic Society self guided tour
- Over 250,000 Mexican Free-tailed bats, Colorado's largest migratory colony
- A strong community of dedicated members, with little more in common than the nature of being human
- Over 1500 annual members, donating an average of nearly $100 each and totaling approximately $150,000 per year
- A vibrant, creative and dedicated volunteer program
- Late 18th- and 19th-century historic structures with fascinating stories and heritage
- Flourishing partnerships with local stakeholders including governmental agencies such as Bureau of Land Management, U.S. and Colorado Forest Services, Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Saguache County Commission, local schools; regional higher education institutions including Colorado School of Mines, Regis University, Colorado College, Adams State University, Western State College, Colorado Mountain College; local ranchers and farmers; local businesses; local Valley View Hot Springs enthusiasts
OLT's community is non-exclusive and open to all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. All that is expected of visitors is their commitment to our values of Recognition, Respect, and Responsibility. Membership is not required to visit. Coupled with an active volunteer program, costs are kept to a sustainable minimum, ensuring diverse access and inspiring tremendous charitable support.
Conservation Efforts
Lands [map] Species [photo slides] History [photo slides] History of Success [slides]