Attention residents of Douglas County. Do you value Valley View Hot Springs and Orient Land Trust? Do you question and challenge the Renewable Water Resources (RWR) proposal to take water from the San Luis Valley and pipe it to provide water for growth in your county? Your voice matters. The Douglas County commissioners want to hear from YOU in regards to the Renewable Water Resources (RWR) proposal. People across the Valley and around the state are joining together to fight the proposal that would export water from the San Luis Valley to Douglas County. Our goal is to send over 1,000 letters from people like you who care about the Valley, our public lands and maintaining intact ecosystems. Send them an email or a letter with your thoughts. Join in the struggle for common sense! Douglas County residents have more influence on the county commissioners. Write letters to the Commissioners, or to Newspapers in the form of Letters to the Editor.

https://www.protectsanluisvalleywater.com/take-action

https://www.olt.org/news/item/645-saguache-county-water-at-risk

Douglas County Commissioners have already received many letters from Douglas County citizens supporting the RWR proposal and the use of ARPA funds for increasing the Douglas County water supply. If you value the time you spend in the San Luis Valley and want to protect this high desert valley and its scant water, your voice can make a difference.

We are in the public comment phase that Douglas County has begun, so it is imperative that they hear from everyone that has concerns and especially residents of Douglas County.
You have every right to weigh in on this issue.

If you have concerns, please contact OLT with any questions.

The goal of the water protecting organizations in the Valley is to have people write and deliver 1,000 letters to Douglas County from all over the state by March 15th.

Also, we will be requesting from all our members to send a copy to us, at , so we can keep a ball park record of what letters are coming in.

Thanks so much; every individual effort that may seem like a small bit accumulates.

Orient Land Trust's current board is doing an awesome job ensuring that the vision and mission of OLT is met. The current and past board members work closely with OLT staff to keep things spinning like a smooth-running hydro generator creating energy that electrifies all visitors. We believe OLT's influence joins other similar tribes in the international arena of love as being guardians of our future world. Perhaps this season may include you applying to be on the Orient Land Trust executive board.

It is our honor to encourage interested OLT members to consider serving as a future board member. You can read more about being a board member at https://www.olt.org/olt/get-involved/openings

To Current Orient Land Trust Volunteers and Committee Members.

Please consider submitting a letter of interest for serving as an OLT board member. You know the mission and goals of OLT, and have spent time serving in some capacity at OLT.

Send your letter of interest to

Orient Land Trust Members:

Please consider submitting a letter of interest to serve on the OLT executive board. Send your letter of interest to

In your letter you may share experiences you have with nonprofits (including volunteer boards), fundraising, finance, committee work, volunteerism bridged with your familiarity with own experiences at Valley View and the Orient Land Trust (OLT) bio-region
The Orient Land Trust learning curve can be steep for members who are curious about the scope of OLT (it's sooo much more than soaking pools). Here are some fun ideas for discovering what Orient Land Trust board candidates may recommend as part of an OLT adventure.

There are adventures where you can learn more of the scope of OLT. Enjoy a tour of the farm, gardens, bats or take a hydro tour (my favorite). Questions about the bioregion, wildlife, invertebrates, astronomy, water, mountain biking and hiking trails or running an "off grid" non-profit business begins at the Visitors Center.

Educate yourself about the many layers of OLT by reading the informative OLT web site.

Would you like to join an OLT committee? This is an excellent way to serve OLT and learn more about the operations of this non-profit enterprise. Contact a Committee Chair for more information if interested:

• External Affairs (Outreach and Fundraising). Contact;
• Internal Affairs (Finances & Human Resource). Contact;
• Conservation (Resource and Protection) Contact;
• Site Plan (Focus on Valley View). Contact;
• Long Term Visioning (Future Direction) Contact;

Attend a board Meeting.

Observing an Orient Land Trust board meeting is an informative way to learn if you may be interested in becoming a future OLT board member. You can find more specifics of when board meetings occur and expectations of being on the board at the OLT website. https://www.olt.org/get-involved/openings The next board meeting is on April 23rd so make sure you make your reservation early, and remember to tell Kelly that you will be attending the board meeting.

All board applications are taken very seriously by the Governance Committee, so please do not let any obstacle (age, gender, disability, etc.) keep you from writing a letter of interest.

Writing Your Letter of Interest.

Please consider writing a narrative highlighting your experience with nonprofits (including volunteer boards), fundraising, finance, committee work, volunteerism, familiarity with OLT, your interests and expertise, and why the board would want you as its newest member.

Please send it to .

Submitted by Jon Florey, chair of the Governance Committee and Jim Manley, co-chair of the Governance Committee.