One of the animating principles behind SELT's mission of land protection, thoughtful stewardship, and outreach is the drive to connect people to nature. Every person should have the opportunity to experience the wonder of the natural world, regardless of ability, background, or circumstance.
We want to help everyone get outside!
Thank you to our corporate underwriters for their generous support of these initiatives
Working Together to Bring Everyone Closer to Nature
To propel SELT's work of connecting people from all walks of life to nature, we have pursued partnerships and innovations that will provide real, tangible results for anyone who wants to enjoy the great outdoors, including those who have found it challenging in the past. These approaches are coordinated by SELT Board and staff members and community representatives.
We are dedicated to building trust among a variety of communities in our service area, including communities that we have yet to engage with, by leveraging existing resources and joining already-launched projects whenever possible.
Land Acknowledgement Statement
SELT's conserved lands are located on N’dakinna, which is the traditional ancestral homeland of the Abenaki, Pennacook and Wabanaki Peoples past and present. We acknowledge and honor with gratitude the land and waterways and the alnobak (people) who have stewarded N’dakinna throughout the generations.
Current Initiatives
Researching Our Lands
Aided by the expertise and dedication of a team of volunteers, we are delving into the full history of SELT-owned lands, highlighting the people and communities who have connected with these landscapes over time - before, during, and after the colonial era.
Our commitment to land is informed by this understanding and those relationships.
Trail Accessibility
SELT has purchased a HETAP device (High-Efficiency Trail Assessment Process), an exciting piece of technology that collects data on trail grade and terrain, among other criteria. With the data collected, SELT can share consistent information about a trail’s difficulty level, allowing users to select recreational options that fit their abilities.
In the future, this information will help us plan for and create public trails for people of all abilities, including those with mobility challenges.
All-Terrain Learning Adventures
All-Terrain Learning Adventures (ATLAS) is SELT's nature-based education initiative, an outreach program designed to connect children K-8 at our partner schools to the beauty of the natural world. Our goal is to encourage an evergreen love of nature and cultivate the next generation of conservationists.
Wild play is a key component in the ATLAS approach, as it allows students to creatively discover their passion for the natural world while enjoying the forests, streams, and fields of southeast New Hampshire. All this happens through partnership with local school districts and organizations to conduct educational, experiential, and, most importantly of all, FUN outdoor adventures on SELT lands.
SELT and UNH Extension’s Health and Well-Being and 4-H Education and Youth Development teams are working together to deliver a fun, fulfilling outdoor program to help local school-age kids discover a love of nature, nurture mental wellness, and foster connections with land, self, and community.