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Causes: Energy Resources Conservation & Development, Environment, General Science, Land Resources Conservation, Technology
Mission: 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.
Programs: Visitor services: the orient land trust provided unique recreational opportunities, lodging, camping services, and day use for 39001 visitors during 2017. Visitors enjoyed the many attributes of the property including hiking, soaking, viewing wildlife, geology, and bat conservation. Volunteer camp hosts assisted visitors, especially during the busy summer months. Orient land trust facilities are a wonderful model for hydroelectric off-grid electric power.
natural resources conservation and protection: the orient land trust protects over 2,200 acres of land and is developing management plans to promote sustainability for all of its properties. It continues on-going projects to improve riparian areas, to protect indigenous species, and to eliminate invasive weeds. The reservoir at the ranch is home to a program protecting rio grande chub and rio grande sucker fish species. Olt's everson ranch engages in historic ranching operations with the goal of soil and water restoration. In addition, olt collaborates with another land trust, working under a memorandum of understanding, efficiently providing conservation options to area landowners.
educational programs: olt provided 553 educational tours to 4,997 kids, adults and seniors. Visitors participated in astronomy and bat tours daily throughout the summer and geology, hydroelectric, and ranch tours are offered weekly or upon request. Additional workshops in botany, weather, horsemanship, and a bird workshop made a positive impact to kids participating in our summer science camp. Many guests took advantage of our educational programs in 2017.
I am honored to be the first person to review OLT. I donate, not because I am rich with money to spend, but because I love this place. And when you see the lands under conservation, you may find it is "love at first sight"!
I am here in the OLT welcome center right now. I was not coerced to make this review, simply awed and inspired. You must come visit, see the bats then soak in the ponds after a hike in the hills. The people who keep it going are great, too...
Review from Guidestar
