History of Torino Ranch
History of Torino Ranch
Torino Ranch sits on land that has a diverse and fascinating history dating back to the original inhabitants, who were Paiute Indians.
In 1933, in the depths of the Great Depression, Charlie and Rachael Roberts moved to the 160-acre homestead on the slopes of Mt. Charleston, NV from Los Angeles. They called it Roberts Ranch, and there they lived and worked a cattle and dude ranch for more than 14 years. Lore has it that their Ranch was near an illegal whiskey still on Lovell Canyon road that has been called “Potato Row” in the time of Prohibition.
After the Roberts’ passed on, legend states that the ranch became a boys’ detention center, where young men were sent and put to work for behavioral rehabilitation. But perhaps its most famous owner, prior to Brett Torino, was Bill “Wildcat” Morris, a prominent lawyer and former owner of the Landmark Hotel-Casino.
Under Morris’s ownership, the Lovell Canyon property operated as an RV park with approximately 1,800 campers who paid a membership fee to enjoy the small watering hole he built on the property, as well as the jamborees and other outdoor activities and events held there. Unfortunately Morris let the property fall into bankruptcy, and when the RV Park was shut down, some members were so angry at losing their money that they burned and destroyed everything they could.
They shot the water tower full of bullet holes, stripped the copper wiring, and stole the plumbing and anything else of value from the few buildings on the property. When the watering hole dried up, the Ranch effectively became a garbage dump.
When Brett purchased the 162 acre Ranch in 1994, it was in a tremendous state of disrepair. But as the son of a real estate developer having spent his high school years working on construction sites driving 18-wheelers and front loaders, he was uniquely suited to the challenge.
“It was an enormous undertaking.” says Brett. “I had to swallow the entire project at once in order to deal with it holistically.”
Brett, who is an environmentalist at heart, saw the threat of a future owner creating a large scale housing development on the property and sold 122 acres to the US Forest Service to be protected in perpetuity. The remaining 42 acres was retained and became the natural paradise it is today.
“Someone once said to me, ‘You didn’t landscape the property, you painted it.’ That was a beautiful thing to hear because I put so much of my heart and soul into every brushstroke, every detail. The ranch looks natural, like it occurred organically, but everything was part of my vision of a healing oasis for our campers,” says Brett.
Today, Brett offers the Torino Ranch as a natural sanctuary and healing retreat to the children who camp there each summer.
🌟 A Magical Beginning to Summer at Torino Ranch!
We are overjoyed to share the heartwarming memories from day two of our first summer camp of the season with the @nvccf Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation ️🎗️
Last week, Torino Ranch was filled with laughter, hope, and the incredible resilience of some truly inspiring kids. Watching these young warriors create lasting memories, form new friendships, and experience the pure joy of summer camp has been nothing short of magical.
From splashing in the pool to exploring the great outdoors, every moment was a testament to the spirit of community and the power of nature to heal and uplift. We are honored to provide a sanctuary where these children can escape, dream, and just be kids.
A huge thank you to the amazing staff, volunteers, and supporters who made this unforgettable week possible. Your dedication and love are the heartbeat of Torino Ranch and the Brett Torino Foundation.
Let’s continue to spread the love and support for these brave children and their families. Together, we can make a difference! 💖
#TorinoRanch #TorinoFoundation #SummerCamp #NevadaChildhoodCancerFoundation #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #MakingMemories #HealingHearts #CommunityLove #NatureHeals
Camp Cartwheel kicks off at Torino Ranch, we open our arms and welcome our beloved campers and volunteers - 🌷😍 Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation
A warm welcome to all campers from our Founder Brett Torino on the kick off to Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation Camp Cartwheel at Torino Ranch 😍 Thrilled to be hosting for the 28th year! @nvccf #TorinoRanch
Watch our Founder Brett Torino and CEO Jeff Gordon of Nevada Childood Cancer Foundation discussing the upcoming 28th Annual Camp Cartwheel at #TorinoRanch, thank you @fox5vegas @morefox5 for your continued support! #creatingcommunity @nvccf
🌟 Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! 🌟
At BTF, we recognize the incredible dedication and hard work of teachers everywhere. They inspire, educate, and shape the future, often going above and beyond to ensure every student has the tools they need to succeed.
We`re proud to support BTF Educational Services and the @nvccf Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, where teachers bring light and hope to young learners. This week, let`s give a special thank you to all the teachers who make a lasting impact on our lives.
Drop a comment below to share a special memory or a shoutout to a teacher who made a difference for you! 🙌📚✏️
#TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankATeacher #EducationMatters #BTF #NevadaChildhoodCancerFoundation
We extend our gratitude to all who joined our Earth Day Challenge this April. It was inspiring to witness your commitment and efforts towards nurturing our planet. Here are some beautiful snapshots of nature`s wonders, captured by the BTF team over the year. Let`s all persist in our individual contributions, for Earth Day is a celebration meant to be embraced every day!
#earthday #CelebrateEarth #ReduceReuseRecycle #PlanetLove #ourearthourfuture #bretttorinofoundation #torinoranch #SaveRedRock
🌎🌿 Join the Challenge! 🌿🌎
Let`s all give a big shout out 📣 to Kari Tillman and her adorable little helper Nugget for their incredible dedication 💚 to our planet, not just during the Earth Day Challenge, but all year round!
Kari, your commitment to planting and nurturing a lovely garden and picking up litter is truly inspiring. Keep up the great work! 🌱🌻
Earth Day has come and gone but we can all continue doing our part celebrating Earth Day every day of the year! 🌿✨
# SaveRedRock #CelebrateEarth #ReduceReuseRecycle #PlanetLove #earthday #ourearthourfuture #bretttorinofoundation #torinoranch
🌎🌿 Join the Challenge! 🌿🌎
Let`s all give a big shoutout 📣 to Leslie Davis Barnts and little Spencer for their incredible dedication 💚 to our planet, not just during the Earth Day Challenge, but all year round! Your commitment to planting and nurturing your garden, growing veggies, and cultivating a beautiful flower garden is truly inspiring. Keep up the fantastic work! 🌱🌻
We invite YOU to join the movement and post your own earth day challenge video! Share your photos and videos with us on any of our social media platforms, and we`ll showcase them for the world to see. 📲 Don`t forget to invite your friends to join in too! Together, we can create a positive impact and leave a healthier planet for future generations. 🌍 💚
Let`s make every day Earth Day! 🌿✨
# SaveRedRock #CelebrateEarth #ReduceReuseRecycle #PlanetLove #earthday #ourearthourfuture #bretttorinofoundation #torinoranch
In celebration of Earth Day 🌎, which we honor every day of the year through our conservation efforts 🌿, the Brett Torino Foundation joined forces with 75-100 dedicated volunteers for the Lovell Canyon Clean-Up last Saturday.
Together, we filled an entire extra-large dumpster with discarded furniture, mattresses, a water heater, and an abundance of glass, cans, bottles, and other waste.
It`s truly humbling to have so much help from the community to continue the work we began in 2017, enhancing the beauty of Lovell Canyon. Together, we`ve turned it from a neglected, crime-ridden, toxic site into a thriving, verdant oasis, cherished by hikers, bikers, and families seeking solace in its majestic, cooler high elevations.
A heartfelt 💚 thank you to @saveredrock, our community allies and volunteers whose dedication made this event a resounding success.
🌎🌿 Join the Challenge! 🌿🌎
Heartfelt 💚 thanks to Tad Chatham @tad_chatham and Mel Sheldon @melrsheldon for dedicating their time to helping our planet and our community at the Lovell Canyon Clean-Up on Saturday. Your commitment and contribution mean the world to us!
We invite YOU to join the movement and post your own earth day challenge video! Share your photos and videos with us on any of our social media platforms, and we`ll showcase them for the world to see. 📲 Don`t forget to invite your friends to join in too! Together, we can create a positive impact and leave a healthier planet for future generations. 🌍 💚
Let`s make every day Earth Day! 🌿✨
# Save Red Rock #CelebrateEarth #ReduceReuseRecycle #PlanetLove #earthday #ourearthourfuture #bretttorinofoundation #torinoranch
🌎🌿 Join the Challenge! 🌿🌎
Please join us in giving Jessica Carlson aka “Snickers” a shout out 📣 for showing love 💚 to our planet during the Earth Day Challenge and all year long!
Jessica, thank you! Your efforts to minimize waste at home are making a big difference for our planet! These are things we can all do in our own homes.
We invite YOU to join the movement and post your own earth day challenge video! Share your photos and videos with us on any of our social media platforms, and we`ll showcase them for the world to see. 📲 Don`t forget to invite your friends to join in too! Together, we can create a positive impact and leave a healthier planet for future generations. 🌍 💚
Let`s make every day Earth Day! 🌿✨
# Save Red Rock #CelebrateEarth #ReduceReuseRecycle #PlanetLove #earthday #ourearthourfuture #bretttorinofoundation #torinoranch
Big thanks to @fox5vegas and @kpassoth for supporting our Lovell Canyon Cleanup on Earth Day! We were honored to team up with @saveredrock to make a difference.
In the words of our founder, Brett Torino, “It should be protected, and it should be fought for!” That’s why we`ve spent decades safeguarding and working to preserve this stunning canyon.
Together, let`s keep fighting for o#earthdaycleanup
Watch now: https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/04/20/natural-treasure-trashed-advocates-fight-restore-lovell-canyon/
#CelebrateEarth #PlanetLove #EarthDayCleanup
Together, we can achieve greatness!
As a Private Foundation, we understand the power of collective action in shaping our environmental legacy. It`s a call to arms for individuals, businesses, governments, and the private sector to unite in defense of this magnificent planet we call home.
🌎 Together, we can protect and preserve its beauty for generations to come.
Today, the imperative to tackle climate change, conserve biodiversity, and safeguard ecosystems has never been clearer. Join us in our mission to create a sustainable and thriving future. Our future depends on the diligence of each and every one of us. Let`s make a difference together.
#OurFutureOurEarth #CollectiveAction
