Soil health is at your feet. Carbon sequestration to many people means trees. Another way to sequester atmospheric carbon and improve soil fertility as well as improve absorption of water is by increasing the carbon content of soil. As carbon content in the soil increases there are many benefits. Carbon depleted soils don't absorb much rainfall. The ground crusts over and the rain runs off and causes flooding in low lying areas. The ability to grow crops in carbon depleted soils depends increasingly on artificial fertilizers and pesticides. These additives further diminish the carbon in the soil and the need for those additives becomes even greater. The carbon that was once held in the soil goes into the atmosphere and the greenhouse effect intensifies.

Orient Land Trust is engaged in trying to improve the soil at the ranch. There are many components and lots of hard work involved. One of the recommended tools for increasing soil carbon content is livestock impact. We are fortunate that the ranch has not been subjected to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The agricultural lands are not in bad shape and we have the water to work with. The steps we are taking are incremental. Little by little we are working toward a better environment.

Thank you for your support! Here are two links to videos that provide some basic information.

Allan Savory: How to fight desertification and reverse climate change - TED Talks

Soil Carbon Cowboys

In semi-arid regions, such as the valley, the grasslands evolved with significant sporadic animal impacts. Buffalo herds being hard to find and the inherited European penchant for fencing, those concerned with soil health are turning to a variety of livestock to substitute for that beneficial grazing symbiosis. One of the recent books published that summarizes the recent research is:

"Cows Save the Planet and Other Improbable Ways of Restoring Soil to Heal the Earth" by Judith D Schwartz

The tasks at hand that are needed to run OLT smoothly are myriad. Though the Staff here is ever capable, there is just so much that we can accomplish in a day. Orient Land Trust relies on a long standing tradition of volunteerism.  Through the years, many noble souls have come forward and brought their many talents to bear on improving our systems, grounds and infrastructures.

I have found that the most notable trait in all of our volunteers is a profound love and dedication to the vision of this magic place. Other hot springs may succumb to the pressures of development, but OLT endeavors to keep what we have and improve these systems in a way that perpetuates the much-loved ambiance while being less than noticeable…

Our volunteers get that.

Through the years, some of the talents that have been offered are (but not limited to,) plumbing, electrical, construction, systems development, welding, design, engineering, tech support, masonry and rock work,  digging, weeding, animal husbandry, gardening,  clean-up,  fence work, heavy equipment operation and Program Hosting…(to name a few)…

We have had volunteers that have helped to maintain our Hydro-electric power system, (Jim M.), excavated building foundations with their own equipment, (Jonathan), renovated the Welcome Center and Cottonwood Cabin, (Adam, Mark, Scott H.),  donated a work vehicle (and has done many other projects), (Tim),  installation of in-floor-heating grids, (Jim and Neil),  signed off on a legal letter that enabled OLT and (partner) Living Art Systems to pioneer methane digesters  in the San Luis Valley as a septic system alternative, (Daniel), and design, happily done many grubby tasks that involve strength and/or tenacity, (Mark, Jeff, Liam, Greg, Donavon, Ron, Cheryl, Bill and Jude, Brent, Gary, Marie and Ruby, Kathy, and Larry, (and I know I’m forgetting folks and my abject apologies ahead of time…), assembled, installed and donated, 2 (going on 3), control systems that remotely control the Hydro-system’s spear valve, notify changes in collection box water level and (soon to come), Apple Pool temperature regulation, (Tom B.).

We have had work crews from Universities, Government sponsored programs, and walk-ins. We have long-standing Bat Hosts, Astronomers, Discovery Hosts, Camp Hosts and Board Members. We have volunteer Committee Members and folks who bring things in from “Civilization” and donate recycled building materials.

All in all, Orient Land Trust thrives because of this ongoing confluence of volunteer spirit and donated financial support.  It has been one of my greatest pleasures as the OLT Facilities Manager that I have been able to interact with all of these wonderful and talented, selfless givers!

My and Our Thanks!

- Mark Jacobi, Facilities Manager

I’ve been working on scheduling volunteers for Visitor Services for this summer!  We still have openings for May, early June, late August and September.  If you are interested in supporting Orient Land Trust as a camp host, discovery host, bat tour guide or astronomy host; please contact Rosie for an application.   Thank you to all our returning volunteers and new friends too!  It’s going to be a great summer!

- Rosie Rosenberg, Volunteer Coordinator

Help Protect Valley View Hot Springs! 

Do you love the wildlife of Valley View Hot Springs?

Please help prevent this special place from being taken over by houndstongue.

We are continuing our fight to prevent houndstongue, an invasive and toxic weed, from taking over here. This plant does not provide food for wildlife and will displace native vegetation. By pulling houndstongue in the early summer we prevent it from spreading. And we are making headway against it!

Volunteers will pull and bag this aggressive weed for two half-day sessions and enjoy the satisfaction of helping protect a place we all care about. While we're at it, we will also be digging out any Bull Thistle we encounter. Bring gloves!