Orient Land Trust is a non-profit land trust created around Valley View Hot Springs, its unique culture and environment.

With the Orient Mine and Everson Ranch, we now protect 2,200 acres, its wildlife corridor, pristine spring waters, hiking trails, rustic cabins, and camping. Visitors of all ages and walks of life enjoy free educational programs, clothing-optional naturist open space, geothermal warmth, hydroelectric energy, and Colorado's largest bat colony.  Read more...

Guidelines Rates and Reservations Bat Tours

Invitation to Garden Party
Wednesday, August 6th, 2014

Garden Party and Benefit Reception - Aug 17th, NM

  Sunday, August 17th, 3-6 pm1245 Cardenas Lane, El Prado, NM 87529 Support OLT’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Campaign, meet new Executive Director Doug Bishop,visit with Founders Neil & Terry Seitz, experience Board Member Dan Jones’ sustainable, Zero Energy home & gardens, enjoy food from Matts Bakery Taos  as well as Dan's garden and greenhouse and sample local wine & beer.
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Helping Introduce Naturism
Sunday, August 3rd, 2014

Helping Introduce Naturism

Social nudity is certainly nothing new here. The tradition is common at hot springs and was documented back to the miners who often enjoyed these warm waters after a hard day's work. Naturism, as we know it today, was undoubtedly the sensible choice for soaking when Ute tribes flourished here the Valley. But over time, clothing came to represent much more than its functional use, becoming a cultural expectation even in…
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The Nature Conservancy's annual easement monitoring
Saturday, August 2nd, 2014

Conservation Easements with a Little TNC

Orient Land Trust (OLT) staff and volunteers joined three representatives from The Nature Conservancy on July 29th and 30th for the annual assessment of the conservation easement on the ranch and hot springs properties. For those who haven't heard, the OLT has partnered with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to place a conservation easement on 1,270 acres encompassing the ranch and hot springs. This easement was implemented in 2010 to ensure…
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John and Mark kicking up the party at the Oak House
Tuesday, July 29th, 2014

Let's Party for OLT

Do you like to host parties and events? Do you belong to a private club, civic organization or have an "in" with a unique venue that could host an OLT themed fundraising event for little or no cost? We would also like to find hosts on the Front Range and in Colorado and New Mexico who could hold a benefit event for OLT. Dan Jones is hosting a small Garden…
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Monday, July 28th, 2014

WWTP Fundraiser

First, we would love to hear from you if you would be interested in sharing your art inspired by OLT (plein air, paintings, photographs, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, etc.) with the Resource Development Committee for a fundraiser to be held in October (date to be announced next month). Contact Martin Jolley.   Second, hold the date of October 4th: Here at the Fritz in Salida. John Lorenz photographs of and around OLT.…
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Monday, July 28th, 2014

In the Silence Descending

Honoring Orient Land Trust Earth's crust waxes thin in our desert,a skin of hot waters rising, sparse rainscooling this patchwork of pinon and sage,pounding forces too star-staged to fight.And so we roll like morning light,like dunes, like ant hills, like the wavesof the one-time sea nowdisappeared into our aquifer, crystal-centered. In the silence descending from the Sangresthe rhythms grow obviousas the petite sunflowers lining our dirt roads.Anything but blank, our…
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Annual Outreach Meeting, July 19th
Friday, July 11th, 2014

Annual Outreach Meeting, July 19th

Come join OLT and its Board of Directors at the pavilion for lunch and more!  It's no secret. OLT's membership cares tremendously for the organization and its direction. Our volunteer board is comprised of people just like you! They care passionately, bring diverse experience, listen attentively, and work together to see the best possible future for this special organizaiton and place. Board meetings are always open to the public, but…
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  • Naturism by Neil & Terry Seitz, FoundersHistory of Naturism at OLT
  • Words of Wisdom by Neil & Terry Seitz, FoundersSharing experience and wisdom that helped sustain this special place through the decades.

For the education, enjoyment, and well-being of current and future generations, Orient Land Trust: 
promotes a positive clothing-optional experience at all properties including Valley View Hot Springs, Orient Mine and Everson Ranch;
preserves the viewshed, including land acquisition; 
protects natural, wild, agricultural, and historic resources, in the northern San Luis Valley.

Values

  • Dedication to inclusiveness and the public good
  • Accountability to a diverse public community and maintaining their trust
  • Social and environmental justice beyond mandates
  • Respect for the worth and dignity of individuals and nature
  • Embracing naturism through practice and education
  • Modeling collaborative pluralism, transparency, integrity and honesty
  • Pledging excellence and responsibility in stewarding resources
  • Encouraging lifelong learning

Goals

  • 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.
  • Conservation and Preservation: Follow the highest possible standards for land preservation, agricultural practices, and energy and water conservation.
  • Research and Education: Facilitate scientific research around OLT resources, and promote educational programs and activities suitable for adults and children.
  • Staff Development and Community Relations: Maintain OLT as a responsible citizen of the San Luis Valley.