Our partners in conservation, the Nature Conservancy, did their annual monitoring July 28 and 29. The experience of walking around the ranch, meanders, and hot springs is interesting and enlightening. The meanders this year look especially healthy. We were able to get more water to the riparian area by installing a by-pass around the hydroelectric plant. Thanks to volunteer Jim for the design and welding! The informal, unofficial report is that things look fine.

Science Camp 2016! was July 24th through July 28th. We had 18 kids, ages 4 through 13 who camped with us for the week-long program. Our goal was to create awareness of environmental issues, resource sustainability, land and habitat conservation. To give our youth the opportunity to experience this unique environment, to expand their knowledge of the natural world through our educational programs and to instill a sense of stewardship and personal responsibility. The kids went on Geology, Hydro- electric, Astronomy, Everson Ranch and Bat Tours. We also learned about the weather, solar power, horse husbandry, the birds of OLT and went on a plant hike. There was art and music and s'mores! It was a great week!

Our OLT family is blessed with intelligent, experienced and openhearted people who gave of themselves for the kids. Thank you to our instructors, staff and volunteers who made this event possible! Special thanks to the families, the kids and their parents, who shared this experience with all of us. The Science Camp 2016 was sponsored by a Saguache County Sales Tax Grant and support from Orient Land Trust.

Thank you: Doug, Rosie, Cherrye & Mike, Scott, Crystal, Dr. Jay, Cosmic Mark, Barry, Michael, David, Jessica, Jim, Kathryn, Cynthia, Chloe, Henry, Jack, Julie, Mike, Ian, Jane, Eric, Ruby & Marie!

This is our chance to say Thank You! to all OLT members. Members only, no capacity limit. No member turned away. Expect lots of people. Don't bring non-member friends, unless they want to become a member, this is the only weekend that is members only.

Music, food, pools, and summer. Member Appreciation Weekend is August 12 and 13 this year. The band on Friday night is Todd Johnson & Breaking Blues featuring OLT camp host Ian Monk and Saturday night the band is Mama Magnolia. The most eclectic potluck this side of the front range is on Saturday afternoon. Sunday morning, OLT serves breakfast.

The annual outreach meeting of the OLT Board of Directors is Saturday, July 16, 2016 from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. All are welcome to attend in-person or online. The meeting will be held at the hot springs Pavilion once again this year and lunch will be provided. Come and join the meeting and meet the board members! 

Download the Agenda and Information Packet

Follow this and all our Board Meetings online 

Our project goals are to create awareness of environmental issues, resource sustainability, land and habitat conservation. To give our youth the opportunity to experience this unique environment, to expand their knowledge of the natural world through our educational programs and to instill a sense of stewardship and personal responsibility.

Science Camp is July 24th through the 28th. Our Kids Science Camp encompasses all of our educational programs including bat, hydro-electric, geology, astronomy and Everson Ranch tours. There will be a bird walk, nature walk, horse husbandry and trail ride, journal building, arts & crafts, campfires and barbecue! Parent or guardian must be present on property and are welcome to come along or register and soak in the hot springs. Camping over and attending the full week is recommended. Ages 5 to 15, younger children must be accompanied by a parent. There is no fee for summer camp!

Day Camp: For those who can't make the week long camp over, we have scheduled day tours targeted toward youth.

Five tours are planned:

• July 12th: Hydroelectric Tour 10:30 AM
• July 23rd: Astronomy Tour 7:00 PM
• July 26th: Bat Tour & Hike 6:00 PM
• August 6th: Ranch Tour & Barbecue 2:00 PM
• August 9th: Geology Tour 10:30 AM

For more information or to register for either Science Camp or Day Camp please contact Orient Land Trust at or call 719-256-4315. Ask for Rosie if you have questions!

by "Rosie" Rosenberg

We are offering nightly Bat and Astronomy Tours along with a campfire & s'mores! Yes, s'mores are not educational... but they sure are fun! Saturday and on request; Everson Ranch Tours, Hydro and Geology Tours are also available. There is no charge for any of our Tours! Please register at the Welcome Center.

Bat Tours began on the 13th of June and have reached their full numbers as of the 29th with incredible out flights! Nightly tours are leaving the welcome center at 6:30 pm. It is a moderate to strenuous hike, 4 miles round trip. Wear good walking shoes, warm clothing, rain gear if necessary. Bring a flashlight and drinking water. The tour usually takes 3 to 4 hours.

Fort Lewis College biology students along with Dr. Lemur and Kirk Navo were here on June 30th. They caught 21 bats and brought them back to the Pavilion to do their testing. Many guests were present and were able to witness the scientists at work. The scientists will submit a report on the health of our bat colony and we will keep you updated!

Everson Ranch Tours are every Saturday. Cherrye is hosting the tours, leading hikes to the reservoir, visiting the animals and overseeing volunteers in the garden. We have pigs, chickens, cows and a herd of goats. A new community garden has been planted and volunteers are always welcome to help! Our strawbale bathhouse is complete! At 5pm there is a potluck barbecue where guests can interact with staff, volunteers and learn more about OLT.

Astronomy Tours are scheduled nightly. Mark Cunningham has once again been an incredible asset to OLT. Mark is a professional astro-photographer and we are fortunate to have him here every other weekend this summer. Along with other passionate and knowledgeable volunteers, we are able to offer astronomy tours every night, weather permitting!

Geology & Hydroelectric Tours are offered upon request, just ask at the Welcome Center to schedule a tour.

Orient Land Trust is proud to present a Ranch Celebration Event on October 1, 2016. Hosted by OLT staff, External Affairs Committee members and volunteers we invite you to join us at the Historic Everson Ranch for our open house tours and special Harvest Dinner Concert & Dance. Register now online. Tickets for the dinner and concert are $50 per adult, $25 for minors aged 13-17 and there is no extra charge for kids under 12. All kids and minors must be accompanied by an adult.

This has been such a great year at the ranch with many long term projects being completed and new facilities and gardens opening for use. It’s time to celebrate. Everyone’s invited. Let’s enjoy a fun social time together with good food, music and dance.

The Harvest Dinner will include all the fixins, with meat, vegetarian and gluten free options. We’ll have grass fed beef and pork from animals raised at the ranch. The meal will be prepared by the artists at RustingRam Catering in true farm-to-table fashion.

The evening Concert and Dance promises a special treat featuring a wonderful trio led by Sandra Wong playing violin and the Swedish stringed instrument the nyckelharpa, multi-instrumentalist Andy Reiner and tabla hand drum player Steve Bross providing a variety of bluegrass, old time tunes and other special musical sounds for our listening and dancing enjoyment.

A beautiful late summer/early fall evening at the ranch. What could be better? Only all of you joining us for this special celebration. See you there.

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Good news! The most recent water tests showed no problems and the state has rescinded the boil drinking water notification. All clear.

Thanks to everyone for their understanding, helpfulness and great attitudes during the boil water alert. Valley View people are the best people! We are grateful for your patience and support. We're also glad that this was a brief and minor interruption. A special Thank You to camp host Barry Schwartz for his daily trips in his own truck to Salida to help supply OLT with bottled water!

UPDATE: After our latest tests, the State has again given us the all clear. Enjoy drinking our pure spring water once again.

The Valley View drinking water system is under a "Boil Drinking Water" notification from the State of Colorado. We are providing bottled water to our visitors. If you're heading this way, you can help by bringing your own water.

Orient Land Trust wants to give an appreciative Thank You! To the Saguache County Sales Tax Grant fund for their $2500 grant in support of the upcoming Science Camp. We were notified of the award just before Memorial Day and this is just the most recent example of the many ways that Saguache County has supported our efforts. The Science Camp this year is scheduled for July 24 through July 28. We will have daily scientific activities (examples: geology tour, hydroelectric tour, a hike to see the bat outflight, an evening watching the night sky at the telescope) and some other fun summer activities like swimming in the pool and hiking. For more information and to reserve your child's space contact Orient Land Trust at 719-256-4315.

2016 Science Camp Poster