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Web Maester

Web Maester

Wednesday, 30 April 2014 00:00

Waste Water Facilities Campaign

OLT's campaign for Valley View's Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrades is well underway and is now nearly 15% complete. Our fundraising dinner was attended by nearly 200 people and raised over $15,000 in donations/ pledges and proceeds from guest speaker John Fielder’s generous donation of 30 % of book sales for the evening. Combined with donations from the December Annual Appeal mailing seeking funds for the WWTP upgrades, we have raised almost $27,000 to date for this campaign, or 15% of the goal. THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO ATTENDED THIS FIRST-EVER FRONT RANGE EVENT FOR OLT and those who made a pledge/ donation for this important project whether present or not.

The dinner event at the Doubletree Hilton in Westminster on April 3 rd was a successful community building evening for OLT members and friends, expanding the usual recreational context in which OLT supporters normally engage with OLT at its home in the San Luis Valley . Speaker John Fielder provided a stunning slideshow and presentation featuring his nationally recognized nature photography and conservation work around the state and in the San Luis Valley in particular. OLT is grateful for the donation of his time, speaker fees and expertise on behalf of OLT.

We're working hard to reach every supporter to help us reach our goal of $180,000 for this important project. If you haven’t made a donation (or want to make another one!), you can use the form below to mail in with your gift, or visit our website to make a donation on-line. Together, we'll be providing upgraded facilities for life’s “ basic necessities” at Valley View while also contributing to OLT’s future financial health by reducing the encumbrance of large loans to pay for these renovations while funds are being raised for the WWTF . 

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Wednesday, 30 April 2014 00:00

Volunteer Your Time!

Want to get involved at Orient Land Trust?  Volunteers are extremely important to OLT.  Please consider a donation of your time to help us work more efficiently toward the protection of the northern San Luis Valley’s unique resources and open space.

Summer 2014 Volunteer Hosts Needed

The Host opportunities listed below are all "full time," onsite positions that run for a minimum of two weeks, or more during our peak visitor season, between May and September.
Astronomy Hosts
Do you have an interest in astronomy and experience with telescopes? Then consider spending a month here at Valley View as an Astronomy Host providing astronomy education and assisting guests in viewing the celestial wonders above us (using our telescope, or yours). And with our clear, dark skies here in the San Luis Valley, we have some of the best star viewing conditions in the country! Time and interest permitting, Astronomy Hosts may also lead daytime tours of Orient Land Trust’s hydroelectric facility.
Orient Mine Bat Tour Hosts
Orient Mine Bat Tour Hosts lead evening walking tours to the Orient Mine to watch the bat out-flight, managing the integrity of the bat habitat and educating visitors on the history of the Orient Mine as well as the natural history of Mexican free-tailed bats. Time and interest permitting, Orient Mine Bat Tour Hosts may also lead daytime tours of Orient Land Trust’s hydroelectric facility.

Help us learn of your interests by filling out an OLT Volunteer Application. You can pick up an application at the OLT Welcome Center, or give us a call to have an application sent to you. Or, simply go to www.olt.org and click on “Get Involved,” print out an application and mail it to the address on the bottom of the last page.  Thanks for Volunteering!

Thursday, 01 May 2014 00:00

OLT Needs Board Members

Fellow appreciators of OLT and fellow soakers, we need board members and board committee members. If you have ever thought of serving OLT this is the time to step up and be counted. If you are interested in serving on the board of directors or a board committee, please send an email to BDCchair @olt.org with your name, phone number and any other pertinent information you wish to share. We will contact you when we get your email. Thank you for reading this and for caring about OLT.

Friday, 02 May 2014 00:00

Executive Director Selected

Orient Land Trust (OLT) is pleased to announce that long-time Saguache County resident Doug Bishop has been chosen as its new Executive Director.

Doug is a native of Colorado and has lived in the northern San Luis Valley for over 40 years since moving to Major Creek, just south of Valley View Hot Springs, in 1973. He first visited Valley View that same year, even before OLT’s founders discovered it!  In 1980, he moved to his current home on ten acres that were originally part of the homestead that became Valley View Hot Springs, which is now owned and operated by OLT.

Doug has worked off and on at the hot springs since 1975, both in a hands-on and decision-making capacity. Over the decades he has contributed to many construction, remodeling, and infrastructure projects at OLT. Besides founders Neil and Terry Seitz, no one is more familiar with the history of OLT than Doug.  In addition to his extensive “on the ground” experience, Doug has also helped guide the organization by serving on the Board of Directors since OLT’s inception in 2001, making him its longest serving board member. He recently served as the board treasurer and has his finger on the pulse of the organization’s finances.

Apart from his work at OLT, Doug has worked extensively in both tourism and education, two of the key components of the OLT mission. Doug worked for years at Monarch Ski Area where he developed many planning, budgeting, and management skills working with both guests and employees and eventually managing the Monarch Children’s Center. Doug left Monarch to pursue a career in public education and is currently teaching at Mountain Valley School in Saguache where he developed many close relationships with other educators, parents, and students. Doug graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Elementary Education from Adams State University in Alamosa with a nearly 4.0 average, and has completed all course work toward a Master's Degree in Special Education. He is a true Valley “local” and a respected member of the community, which is an important asset when dealing with ranchers, neighbors, and landowners here in the San Luis Valley.

On the home front, Doug has exemplified and embraced OLT’s strong conservation and environmental values. He has built his own homes with a close eye on recycling, conserving, and being creative with scarce resources.  This has given him a realistic, grounded, and fiscally conservative outlook over the years, qualities that will serve him well as OLT’s Executive Director.

The OLT board also sincerely thanks Facilities Manager Mark Jacobi for the fine job he has done as Interim Executive Director during the last six months. Mark has filled the role with grace, humor, and integrity, and he has worked well with both the board and staff.

Monday, 28 April 2014 21:23

Sharing

Do you have a great photo or story you'd care to share? OLT is always gathering content for its newsletters, brochures, and articles. You can always send your contributions to us for consideration. OLT appreciates all contributions and is careful to credit those who wish it. We also respect our visitor's anonymity and, where requested, leave off individual's names.

Download and sign the attached release before sending it back to us (scanned or by postal mail). Be sure to let us know if you'd prefer to be credited or anonymous. 

Note: Photographs should be of the highest resolution possible to be most widely useful. However, high-resolution images are large enough that only a few may be attached to an email. If you have more than 10 MB (megabytes) of images or video to share, please burn them to a CD or USB stick that can be delivered to our office physically.

Materials can be sent to:

or

Orient Land Trust
Information Systems
P.O. Box 65
Villa Grove, CO  81155-0065

Saturday, 08 March 2014 05:08

Orient Land Trust

The 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, naturist open spaces, geothermal warmth, hydroelectric energy, and Colorado's largest bat colony.  Read more...

Guidelines  -  Rates and Reservations  -  Bat Tours

Tuesday, 04 February 2014 09:17

2014 Membership Dinner and WWTP Fundraiser

Thursday, April 3 
Enjoy a great meal & OLT friends, learn about OLT’s new strategic plan, support OLT’s Wastewater Treatment Plant campaign! Door prizes!
Monday, 06 January 2014 12:21

Committees

Updated 11/09/23

Executive Director is an ex officio/non-voting member of all committees, except the Governance Committee.

Note: OLT Board Committees should have no more than a quorum (a majority of directors) minus one of board members on the committee. Currently this would be no more than 4 board members on any committee.

Executive (EC) (Per Bylaws)

Chair: Roger C ()

Membership: Patrick C, Jon F

Membership guideline: Board Chair, Board Vice-Chair, Treasurer

  • Board of Directors shall elect an Executive Committee by the election of officers at the Annual Meeting that shall serve until the following Annual Meeting. Committee membership is defined in the Bylaws.

  • Responsible for the general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation.

  • Shall meet at such times and places as designated by the Board Chair.

  • May, between regular meetings of the board, but never in substitution for such meetings, exercise the powers as authorized by the Board of Directors, except as prohibited by the Colorado Corporation Act.

  • A majority of the members of the EC present and voting shall be binding as to the action taken by the EC.

Governance Committee (Formerly Board Development-BDC)

Co-Chairs: Jim Manly, Jon F ()

Membership: John S, Dan J, Myron H, Aleia S, Mike A, Terry S, Scott M

Membership guideline: Board and public

Responsibility: Advertise for, recommend and familiarize new Board members. Educate and improve current Board members. Addressing matters of the overall health and effectiveness of the governance of the organization.

Mission Statement (short): To select and recommend to the Board a diverse and thoughtful candidate pool for future Director positions and to oversee the Board evaluation processes as well as promoting adherence to OLT policies.

Mission Statement (full): To foster a strong OLT Board of Directors by promoting Board vacancies to an audience of viable candidates; researching, interviewing and screening Board applicants; seeking directors with a diversity of skills, expertise and minority representation; recommending candidates for election to the Board; mentoring newly elected directors; administering self-evaluations to existing and retiring directors; offering ongoing support, education and development to directors; and ensuring Board compliance with the by-laws of OLT.

Membership Guidelines:
• GC will consist of at least 5 members
• One Co-Chair will always be a BoD member and the other a non-board member appointed by the board
• As per OLT resolution, there will never be more than a Board quorum, minus one, of Board members on the GC
• The GC will actively seek non-board members for committee membership
• The Executive Director may not be a member
• The term of participation on the GC shall be no longer than three (3) years, renewable at the discretion of 2/3 of the majority the committee
• Committee selection of the non-board Co-Chair will take place yearly prior to the July Board meeting 

External Affairs Committee (Formerly Resource Development-RDC)

Chair: Susan H ()

Membership: Dorothy L, Doug Bates, Suzanne R, Lindsey H, Cherrye O, Jon F, Suzanne M, John M, Will L

Responsibility: There is consensus that public relations, publicity, outreach and the overall clarity and consistency of the OLT message is intimately tied to fundraising and resource development and so this committee will help with policy related to these areas.

Mission statement (short): To take a substantial role with staff to research, develop, and conduct comprehensive fundraising activities, and to create outreach activities to OLT members and the public.

Mission Statement (full): The External Affairs Committee is responsible for the direction and oversight of OLT's fundraising and resource development needs, public relations, outreach to members, publicity, and marketing as determined by the Board and staff. This committee promotes development of partnerships with business leaders, organizations, and others to accomplish the mission of OLT through collaborative efforts where possible. This committee provides active leadership in the planning and operation of the following:

  • Overseeing development of a strategy for communications to members, including but not limited to newsletters, website messages, visitor surveys, and member appreciation events, and for outreach to the public. This communication strategy should be updated annually, and presented to the Board for approval.
  • Overseeing development of an annual plan for fundraising activities, in alignment with OLT’s Mission, Strategic Plan, and capital budget plans. Fundraising functions may include but are not limited to donor events, fundraising dinners, phone and letter solicitations, and solicitation of grants that align with OLT's Mission and Strategic Plan. This annual plan should be presented to the Board for their approval.
  • Recruiting volunteers as needed, including members of the Board.
  • Ensuring brand consistency for all marketing and outreach activities.

 

Internal Affairs Committee (Formerly Investment Committee)

Chair: Scott H ()

Members: Martin J, Myron H, Scott M, Patrick C

Membership guideline: In an effort to establish processes and procedures for an effective financial oversight function that will span future Boards.:

  • The Internal Affairs Committee consists of at least five (5) members;
  • the Board always be represented on the committee by the OLT Board Treasurer;
  • At least three (3) members of the current Board sit on the Committee;
  • That the term of engagement of the Board members on the Committee be two (2) years, renewable at the discretion of a 2/3 majority of the full Board;
  • That the Board actively seek, at a minimum, one (1) non-Board member for the Committee;
  • That the term of participation on the Committee for this non-Board member be no longer than two (2) years, renewable at the discretion of a 2/3 majority of the full Board;
  • That this non-Board member be well versed in investments when possible, preferably being actively employed, or having been employed in the past, in either the investment, banking, or accounting industries;
  • That the Board reimburse to this non-Board member all expenses incurred in the furtherance of OLT interests as part of the Committee; and
  • That the Board provides appropriate insurance coverage to this non-Board member, indemnifying the Committee participant from exposure to financial risk for activities consistent with Prudent Investor actions.

 Responsibility: There is consensus that this committee be created with the prime directive of financial oversight and related areas of responsibility including  budget, investment, administration and human resource policies.

Mission Statement (full): The mission of the Internal Affairs Committee is

  • To provide stewardship of OLT finances, investment, budget ,administration and human resources policies guidance
  • To recommend policies and procedures to safeguard organization monetary assets;
  • To secure maximum income from funds under management in accordance with prudent investment policies approved by the Board
  • As much as practicable, to monitor state and federal legislation that impacts upon investment and portfolio management of endowment, restricted funds, and operating funds.
  • Meetings will be held at least quarterly and more often as needed, usually by teleconference. The committee will keep minutes of its proceedings and report its activities and recommendations quarterly to the Board of Directors.

Membership guideline: Chair: appointed by Board; 1+ Board members; 1+ non-Board members and/or staff; ex-officio members: Executive Director, Treasurer

Site Planning (SPC)

Chair: Mike A. ()

Membership: Don G, Mark J, David M, Scott H, Randy S

Membership guideline: Board, staff and public

Responsibility: To make recommendations regarding short and long range facilities in the Valley View village building envelope.

Mission Statement (short): Develop by research, consultation, and consensus a step-wise series of plans for short and long term development of facilities and village preservation in the VVHS building envelope for Board consideration.

Mission Statement (full): Within the scheduling framework of the Site Plan Task Force timeline, the Site Plan Committee will create and recommend a site plan for the Valley View village area of OLT. The Site Plan Committee will explore options, integrate temporary needs and long range goals, and recommend short and long term village site plan changes based on overarching communal values of the OLT community, Board, Staff, Visitors, and Donors, weighing visitor desires, safety, and budget constraints:

  • maintain the simple, historic, rustic nature of the village

  • encourage the community feeling of like-minded people of all ages and walks of life

  • preserve personal contact with nature

  • promote naturism while preserving choice

  • engender respect of nature, other people, alternative energy and natural resources among the OLT community

  • optimize visitor experience of the hot springs through carefully considered limitation of use

  • preserve village environment by careful design of placement of new facilities

  • promote the cycle of sustainability

  • maintain the quality of the visitor experience at a reasonable price

  • preserve and promote the natural environment

  • uphold the requirements of The Nature Conservancy Conservation Easement

  • uphold the components of the OLT Mission Statement and guidelines

Conservation

Chair: Bill M ()

Membership: Geneva M, Victor K, Cynthia N, David M, Sarah H, Martin J, Brent N

Membership guideline: Board members, ED, and interested public

Mission Statement (short): Identify conservation priorities and opportunities at OLT; support efforts to monitor and improve conservation; advise and advocate conservation priorities to the OLT Board of Directors with the goal of attaining the highest standards for land preservation.

Mission Statement (full): The Conservation Committee will work to:

  • help the OLT community understand the OLT's conservation goals and everyone's part in achieving those goals
  • develop a monitoring plan for OLT parcels that are not being monitored as part of a conservation easement
  • ensure compliance with existing easement obligations
  • prioritize conservation needs and projects with the goal of protecting native species, improving habitat, and managing invasive species
  • review the comprehensive Land Conservation Strategy for OLT and recommend modifications to the Strategy as necessary
  • monitor the status of relevant fundraising efforts (including grants and private donations) for land conservation or candidate projects
  • monitor changes, issues and policies of the land conservation movement and keep the BOD apprised and informed on important developments.

 

Long Term Vision Committee (LTVC) (Task Force Became Committee on 01/20/2018)

Chair: Patrick C and Mike A ()

Membership:  Scott H, Geneva M,  Doug Bates, Scott M , Mike A, Don G, John S

Membership guideline: Board members, ED, and interested public

Mission Statement (short): There is consensus that the work of this Task Force is not limited to one definable goal or milestone but is an ongoing process that will inform other plans and policies.

Mission Statement (full): This is in development.  The first order of business will be the Strategic Plan revision.

 

Firewise Taskforce

Chair: Allegra T ()

Membership: RJ, Henry H, Crystal E, Doug B, Shannon M, Mark J, Bill M, Scott M

Membership guideline: Board members, ED, and interested public

 

 

Wednesday, 27 November 2013 13:44

Volunteering is Fun!

Hey all you hot spring loving dudes and dudettes!

We want to tell you about the wonderful experience my three friends and I had volunteering with the Orient Land Trust during our short vacation from school. We helped rid the area of an invasive species, which was a rewarding learning experience. We also helped with some fire mitigation and dug a ditch to the collection box to bury a cable that will enable a new alarm system for the hydroelectric plant. Volunteering was such a blast – we were able to give back to a community that we love immensely and learn while we were at it. And who can argue with being able to soak after a long day of labor? We'll definitely be back—it was such a great time full of wonderful new people, beautiful landscapes, and new memories!

— Holly M and friends, Colorado College Volunteers

Wednesday, 27 November 2013 13:45

2013 Annual Appeal

GOAL OF $150,000 FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY UPGRADE

Please donate today!

OLT members are the greatest people in the world! They believe in and have made a commitment to keeping Orient Land Trust and its holdings, among them our crown jewel – Valley View Hot Springs – the special place that it is forever. From the soaking ponds, the wildlife, the landscapes and pristine environment at the hot springs village, the nature trails, the bat out flight at the Orient Mine and the Everson ranch -- what's not to love? Our members have taken the important step to make sure that these things, and more, are preserved for future generations by becoming Members. Large capital infrastructure expenses, like the Wastewater Treatment upgrade, exceed the capacity of OLT's Operational Budget, thus our need for an Annual Appeal campaign to help fund this over-and-above expenditure. Thank you for supporting this project by contributing to this Annual Appeal. This project, while not glamorous, supports your OLT experience of serene landscapes and soothing waters with much needed renovations for life's basic necessities! Thanks for partnering with us.

Any Annual Appeal gift for the WWTP project will increase your Membership Level and related Member benefits accordingly (see Member Benefits).

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.