Orient Land Trust has an abundant bird population arriving this month! For those of you who get up early, you may have heard the cacophony of bird song which occurs every year starting in late May. If you've seen the photos at the welcome center and have wondered just how and where they were taken, now is your chance to explore the property with photographer and birdwatcher, Dr. Daniel Flemming. Dan will be leading several workshops at the hot springs and Everson Ranch. Be prepared for short hikes with good walking shoes, water bottle, sunblock and hat. Bring binoculars or cameras with telephoto lens. The workshops are offered at no charge and you can sign up at the Welcome Center.

Sunday, May 13th, 6:30 AM - 10 AM. Meet at the Welcome Center

Sunday, May 27th, 4 PM till dusk. Meet at the Everson Ranch

Monday, May 28th, 6:30 AM - 10 AM. Meet at the Welcome Center

A group of OLT volunteers will gather on June 5th and 6th and unite against a common enemy: invasive weeds. A group of about 12 folks will spend 2 days focusing on a few of the most abundant offenders at Valley View Hot Springs.

The weed-pull is organized by the OLT Conservation Committee (CC) and CC members Geneva Mixon, David Mixon, Steve Saban and Matt Johnson will join volunteers from the general membership to make a dent in the number of nasties on the ground at the hot springs. The CC has identified weeds as a priority issue at both Valley View Hot Springs (VVHS) and the Everson Ranch properties. We hope to offer opportunities for individuals to get their hands dirty and volunteer by pulling weeds. Noxious weeds are "non-native invasive plants that displace desirable vegetation and degrade natural and agricultural lands. They threaten our drinking water supply, agricultural 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. The OLT is committed to working on our weed issue without using chemical sprays or weed killers, so volunteer power is critical. Staff is too busy running operations to fight this issue without help.

Many folks who pitched in during last years event mentioned that it felt great to give back and make a difference for the land. We enjoyed getting to know each other, sharing our love for naturism, and our commitment to nurturing the beauty that we get to enjoy at VVHS. Overall everyone agreed that the land and water of OLT nurtures our bodies and feeds our souls, so it is our duty to protect and preserve this resource for others.

There are still a few more volunteers needed for this years workshop. VVHS overnight admission fees and tent camping will be provided for volunteers for June 4 & 5, work will done 8am - 12pm on the 5 & 6. Contact our volunteer coordinator Rosie to sign up. If you can't make the workshop, you may be able to arrange for an individual weed pulling project. Email Rosie at .

Get involved: The CC is one of numerous active committees that are always seeking volunteers. You can contact committee chair and board member Geneva Mixon for more information about the CC at . You can also check out other committees by visiting: http://www.olt.org/olt/people/committees.

OLT Volunteers Make a Difference!

Fire ban from Sheriff. No fires anywhere, including our usual campfires at the Pavilion.

We allow smoking at the Smoke Hut and in your vehicle. To be clear, we ask that guests smoke inside a car and not next to it.

Warm weather, cool nights, a great time to be outside! Summer is a favorite season for many hot springs guests. Those who have been here for a few years know that calling ahead is important. The bats take up summer residence at the mine starting in mid-June, the fireflies are blinking all summer, and camping is an inexpensive way to enjoy the outdoors. Remember that the wildlife is also more active. Many people are surprised at how tame are the deer in our little herd. They are not very nervous and will let people get close. However, please don't feed the deer as that teaches them that people have food and can make them aggressive. The past few years we've been lucky and bears have not been a problem. The few we've seen have just moved right through. Keeping campsites free of food helps to reduce attracting bears and keeping food in the food storage cabin keeps them from being lured into your camping spot. We are providing bear proof litter containers for trash that will also deter the marauding deer. We are again providing buckets to hold the food scraps. The buckets of compostable scraps are relayed onto the chickens and magically transformed from bear bait to chicken manure quickly and efficiently. Please don't include egg shells with the food scraps as that teaches the chickens to peck at and eat their own eggs. If you see a bear, report it right away for everyone's awareness.

OLT has a partnership with Waste Free SLV to collect and transport recyclables. There are recycling stations at several locations throughout the hot springs: Oak House, the Pavilion, the parking lot near the swimming pool, Sunset Rooms, and the Welcome Center. Please separate and sort the recyclable materials as our partner's operation is not single stream recycling such as is available in larger communities. Consider decisions that reduce consumption of products that require recycling. Re-use those materials that are suitable for re-use (plastic bags, plastic water bottles, and such). Take care in sorting the recyclables so that the contents of recycle bins are not contaminated.

We have several new folks joining our visitor service staff! Diane Felton who volunteered as a Discovery Host last year, is returning to help with reservations and front desk check in. Michael Thompson who is new to the San Luis Valley, will be helping out at front desk and housekeeping. Mike McGee has joined our housekeeping staff. Sabine Borchers, currently in housekeeping will also be answering phones and making reservations. Returning from Fort Lewis College is Stephanie Gollihugh who will be on the front desk during her summer break. Please welcome these great new people to our community!

Every year our Conservation Committee organizes a two day event to help eliminate noxious weeds on OLT property. The weeds we target are on the Colorado Noxious Weeds list. Noxious weeds are "non-native invasive plants that displace desirable vegetation and degrade natural and agricultural lands." They threaten our drinking water supply, agricultural crops, pasture lands and native habitats. It's a fun group event that really helps us keep this special landscape healthy and beautiful. This year the dates are Tuesday, June 5th and Wednesday June 6th. If you'd like to participate, please contact our volunteer coordinator Rosie to sign up (email: or call: 719-256-4315). Soaking and Camping fees are complimentary. Look for an expanded article about noxious weeds and other Conservation Committee project opportunities in our May newsletter.

Our Kids Science Camp Registration is full. Any families who would like to go on the waitlist for this year or on our email list for future years, please email Rosie

Join us in welcoming some new faces at Everson Ranch! We couldn't be anymore excited for this season's community garden under the management of the newest faces on our team, Brian, Dru and Brook.

Brian's enthusiasm for the garden is contagious! His plans for the year include creating a genetically diverse garden with a focus on open pollinated seeds, companion planting, and experimentation. He plans on having three garden plots, using half of the garden space for growing tried and true crops. The other half will be split again for growing test gardens, experimenting with drought resistant crops, seeds specific to our growing conditions and different styles of companion planting. Brian's ultimate goals for the summer include improving soil health, providing an educational platform for the community, and creating a truly holistic garden space for us to share with our guests and the community.

We're starting seeds now and repurposing many items as seed starting containers. From paper towel rolls to old oatmeal containers, there's no end to items we could reuse! Stop down at the ranch to meet Brian and Dru, visit the goats, and check out the garden.

You're sure to notice the new face on the old 'bunkhouse' building. Ranch manager Mike O'Donal never ceases to amaze us and this month he's really outdone himself. The new covered porch creates a lovely space for enjoying the star filled skies and sun filled days.

We're excited to be offering a brunch and BBQ on the weekends over the summer, inviting guests to come to the ranch for a tour and to share a meal. Our menu each week will be focused on what we can harvest out of the garden or source locally. Join us Saturday or Sunday, Memorial Day to Labor Day, for food and friendship on our new covered porch.

Dear Friend of San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council,

As you may or may not know, there is a proposed lease for oil and gas development near the Great National Sand Dunes Park and other important conservation areas in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains. Please read the attached letter and see attached maps of the area involved. Public comments are needed by Friday, April 6th, 2018.

Thank you!

Kay Crowder