Vermicomposting Tutorial
2025-09-16 17:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Burley Farms, 247 N. River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
* THIS IS THE RESCHEDULED DATE (was originally June 18) *
🤔Does your home compost need an upgrade?🤔Have you been curious about a sustainable use for all those leftover vegetable scraps?🤔Are you a gardener or plant lover looking for a safe and effective alternative to chemical fertilizers? 🤔Have you heard of vermicomposting? 🤔
If these questions have you curious, then join us for a fun and informative discussion/demo by SELTie Jared Clark on his vermiculture hobby. Jared will talk about the benefits of vermiculture both to your garden and to the earth, how to get started with your own worm compost and his drawer system that he designed. He will be demonstrating his method of feeding the worms and harvesting castings from the self-contained worm bin as well as his process for making the compost “tea”. 🪱
This presentation will be indoors and outdoors, depending on the weather. We hope you join us for this fun, family-friendly event.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE

Dover Pottery Studio at SELT
2025-09-24 17:30 - 20:00 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
Join us for a fun and unique experience making pottery at SELT. We will begin with a short 30-minute walk into the forest at Burley Farms to get natural items to use in making imprints on the pottery and then Kim Hanson, owner of The Dover Pottery Studio will lead a 2-hour pottery making session.
In this hands-on session, you’ll create your very own unique pottery creation using a variety of hand-building and clay construction techniques. This session is designed for all skill levels. After the session, Kim’s studio staff will glaze and fire your creations, making them ready for pick-up approximately four weeks after the workshop.
The event is limited to 20. The cost is $30 to cover material costs and glazing.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE

Little SELTies Storytime: Early Fall 2025 (Session 1 of 3)
2025-09-25 10:00 - 12:00 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
We welcome our Little SELTies to join us for a morning of nature stories, songs, and activities in the Pratt Family Community Room at the Mathey Center at Burley Farms. Led by SELT’s Education Program Manager, Lizzy Franceschini, we will start our morning inside the community room with story time activities, then head outside for a short hike in the forest. This program is designed for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Storytimes for the early fall session will run on 9/25, 10/2, and 10/16.

Registration required: CLICK HERE

Little SELTies Storytime: Early Fall 2025 (Session 2 of 3)
2025-10-02 10:00 - 12:00 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States

SELTie Book Club - Fall 2025
2025-10-08 17:30 - 19:00 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
The SELTie Book Club is back! The book selection this time around will be Is a River Alive? By Robet Macfarlane and the discussion on October 8 will be led by SELTie Roanne Robbins. Our goal is to also have some tie-in Mathey Center programming related to this book in November and December.
Hailed in the New York Times as “a naturalist who can unfurl a sentence with the breathless ease of a master angler,” Robert Macfarlane brings his glittering style to a profound work of travel writing, reportage, and natural history. Is a River Alive? is a joyful, mind-expanding exploration of an ancient, urgent idea: that rivers are living beings who should be recognized as such in imagination and law.
Macfarlane takes readers on three unforgettable journeys teeming with extraordinary people, stories, and places: to the miraculous cloud-forests and mountain streams of Ecuador, to the wounded creeks and lagoons of India, and to the spectacular wild rivers of Canada—imperiled respectively by mining, pollution, and dams. Braiding these journeys is the life story of the fragile chalk stream a mile from Macfarlane’s house, a stream who flows through his own years and days.
Powered by dazzling prose and lit throughout by other minds and voices, Is a River Alive? will open hearts, challenge perspectives, and remind us that our fate flows with that of rivers—and always has.
We encourage you to get your copy from Water Street Books in Exeter either in person or online waterstreetbooks.com.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE

Little SELTies Storytime: Early Fall 2025 (Session 3 of 3)
2025-10-16 10:00 - 12:00 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States

Ghosts of Mount Washington
2025-10-22 18:00 - 19:00 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
We are excited to welcome back author Marianne O’Connor for some spooky season programming!
Come and listen to Marianne as she goes over some of the memorials on Mount Washington. Some of the actual memorials have some mysterious activity around them. Each memorial is a sad tale of tremendous loss. Marianne will share some stories related to “The Presence.” Some believe it’s a spiritual energy, maybe related to the many souls who lost their lives on the mountain. Marianne will talk about her trip on the Cog where she visited some of these moving memorials. The Cog Railway has an exhibit dedicated to Lizzie Bourne, the young woman from Maine who perished on the summit in 1855 (her memorial is pictured).
This program is recommended for ages 12 and up.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE

After the talk, there will be a short period of time for book signing. Marianne will have copies of her Haunted Hikes of New Hampshire book available for sale.

New Hampshire Mushrooms and the Ecological Importance of Fungi
2025-11-05 17:30 - 18:45 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
Join us as we welcome mushroom enthusiast Maxwell Leavitt for his presentation “New Hampshire Mushrooms and the Ecological Importance of Fungi“. Learn about the plethora of native fungi in our own backyards and woods, including their multitude of ecological benefits and how important they are to our very survival. This talk promises to be both entertaining and enlightening. We hope to see you there!

Registration Required: CLICK HERE

Little SELTies Storytime: Late Fall 2025 (Session 1 of 3)
2025-11-06 10:00 - 12:00 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
We welcome our Little SELTies to join us for a morning of nature stories, songs, and activities in the Pratt Family Community Room at the Mathey Center at Burley Farms. Led by SELT’s Education Program Manager, Lizzy Franceschini, we will start our morning inside the community room with story time activities, then head outside for a short hike in the forest. This program is designed for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Storytimes for the late fall session will run on 11/6, 11/20, and 12/4.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE

Little SELTies Storytime: Late Fall 2025 (Session 2 of 3)
2025-11-20 10:00 - 12:00 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States

Little SELTies Storytime: Late Fall 2025 (Session 3 of 3)
2025-12-04 10:00 - 12:00 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States

Owl Prowl with Tailwinds Raptor Education & Conservation
2025-12-17 17:30 - 18:30 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
** This event is at capacity. There are a few waitlist spots remaining in case there are cancellations **
Discover the mysterious world of owls with Tailwinds: Raptor Education and Conservation! Come see live owls and learn about owl adaptations. This program offers a unique opportunity to experience the magic of New Hampshire’s nocturnal raptors.

Registration Required (Waitlist Only): CLICK HERE

More about Tailwinds can be found at tailwinds.live

Being in the Moment as a Photographer with Tony Baldasaro (Winter Photography Series 1 of 2)
2026-01-07 17:30 - 18:30 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
Join us to kick off our 2026 programming with the return of Tony Baldasaro as he expands on his TEDx Talk – How a Nature Photographer Lives in the Moment.
What makes a truly great photograph? For Tony Baldasaro, it’s not about the gear, the lighting, or even the subject—it’s about presence. In this thoughtful and deeply personal expanded presentation, award-winning nature photographer Tony Baldasaro reveals how letting go of rigid expectations allowed him to reconnect with the wonder of the natural world—and capture moments that matter.
Tony, a native New Englander, is the owner of TB3 Photography and is passionate about capturing the natural beauty of landscapes and wildlife through photography. After studying biology and ornithology in college, he spent nearly 30 years in public education, sharing his love for the natural world and his belief in everyone’s ability to learn and grow. With over 20 years of nature photography experience, Tony now finds joy in helping others improve their skills. His true passion lies in preserving fleeting natural moments with his camera. When not photographing or teaching, Tony and his wife, Kelli, enjoy time between New Hampshire’s seacoast and lake regions with their three adult children.
You can watch Tony’s TEDx Talk here – https://youtu.be/03Am-zFimg0
Tony will also have calendars for sale – 2026 Desk Calendars (5×7) for $18 and 2026 Wall Calendars (11×14) for $33.
This is part 1 of 2 of our Winter Photography Series. Part 2 will take place on January 14th and will include photographs and stories from SELT volunteers Kate Wilcox & Justine Morse.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE

SELTie Photographers Share Their Photographs and Stories (Winter Photography Series 2 of 2)
2026-01-14 17:30 - 18:30 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
Join us for Part 2 of the Winter Photography Series as SELT volunteers Kate Wilcox and Justine Morse share their photographs and stories. Kate will showcase photos she’s taken at SELT events and Justine will share photographs she’s taken of wildlife at SELT properties. You are bound to see some amazing photographs, get some useful pointers and tips, and learn more about SELT through photographs.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE

Little SELTies Storytime - Winter 2026 Session 1 of 3
2026-01-15 10:00 - 12:00 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
We welcome our Little SELTies to join us for a morning of nature stories, songs, and activities in the Pratt Family Community Room at the Mathey Center at Burley Farms. Led by SELT’s Education Program Manager, Lizzy Franceschini, we will start our morning inside the community room with story time activities, then head outside for a short hike in the forest and/or winter play in Burley’s Backyard. This program is designed for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Storytimes for the winter session will run on 1/15, 1/22, and 2/19.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE

Little SELTies Storytime - Winter 2026 Session 2 of 3
2026-01-22 10:00 - 12:00 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States

Native Plants 101 Presented by Roanne Robbins of Van Berkum Nursery
2026-02-11 17:30 - 18:30 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
Native plants are the quiet architects of our local ecosystems, weaving resilience, beauty, and life into every corner of the landscape. This talk led by Roanne Robbins, Van Berkum Nursery’s Director of Outreach and Education, invites you to explore their rhythms and relationships—how they sustain wildlife, enrich soil, and shape the natural world around us. Rooted in years of careful observation and cultivation, the discussion will guide you through the essentials of identifying, planting, and nurturing native species. Whether you tend a small garden or steward a stretch of land, this session encourages a deeper connection to place and offers practical wisdom to foster biodiversity and lasting ecological health.
Also, you will have an opportunity to participate in SELT’s first annual native plant sale and ask Roanne questions about the plants that are a part of the sale.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE

Mammal Prints, Tracks, and Movement Patterns Presentation with Tom Eid
2026-02-18 17:30 - 18:30 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
A variety of mammals are active during the winter months moving from place to place, searching for food, and seeking shelter to stay warm.
Join us for a family-friendly mammal tracking presentation and engaging evening with author and speaker Tom Eid. The presentation with a wide variety of pictures, will teach the basics of mammal tracking, including how to measure a track pattern, the ABCs of mammal footprints, the four mammal walking patterns, nine examples of mammals active in winter, and key books and guides.
In addition, on Saturday, February 28, Tom will lead a winter animal tracking hike at Burley Farms. For the presentation and hike, no animal tracking experience is needed.
Tom Eid is a certified naturalist with the Audubon Society, a Coverts Cooperator with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, a Land Steward for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, and a Wildlife Steward for the New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game.
He is an active volunteer for the New England Big Trees program, Nature Groupie, Bear-Paw Regional Greenways, and the Southeast Land Trust.
Registration required: CLICK HERE

Little SELTies Storytime - Winter 2026 Session 3 of 3
2026-02-19 10:00 - 12:00 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States

SELTie Book Club - Winter 2026
2026-03-04 17:30 - 19:00 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
The SELTie Book Club continues! The book selection this time around will be Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy and the discussion on March 4 will be led by Kelly Arp who recommended the book during our last discussion. Refreshments will be provided.
A family on a remote island. A mysterious woman washed ashore. A rising storm on the horizon.
Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the world’s largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers, but with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants. Until, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman mysteriously washes ashore.
Isolation has taken its toll on the Salts, but as they nurse the woman, Rowan, back to strength, it begins to feel like she might just be what they need. Rowan, long accustomed to protecting herself, starts imagining a future where she could belong to someone again.
But Rowan isn’t telling the whole truth about why she set out for Shearwater. And when she discovers sabotaged radios and a freshly dug grave, she realizes Dominic is keeping his own secrets. As the storms on Shearwater gather force, they all must decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before it’s too late—and if they can finally put the tragedies of the past behind them to create something new, together.
A novel of breathtaking twists, dizzying beauty, and ferocious love, Wild Dark Shore is about the impossible choices we make to protect the people we love, even as the world around us disappears.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE

Gardens in Relationship: Designing with Native Plants
2026-03-11 17:30 - 18:30 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
Join us as Landscape Designer Ashley Robinson and Van Berkum Nursery’s Director of Outreach & Education Roanne Robbins explore the art and science of designing native plant gardens that support biodiversity while reflecting both your personal goals and the realities of your space. Participants will learn how plants interact over time and how those relationships shape dynamic, living landscapes. The session focuses on creating resilient, sustainable, and visually engaging gardens that provide ecological value year-round. Attendees are encouraged to bring photos, sketches, and site-specific information to collaborate and brainstorm their designs with Ashley and Roanne.
Ashley Robinson has nearly 20 years of experience designing and consulting on ecologically grounded landscape practices, with a strong emphasis on native plants, biodiversity, and regenerative land stewardship. Her work centers on integrating homes into their landscapes in ways that support local ecosystems and strengthen connections to place.
She holds a degree in Urban Studies from the University of San Diego and has studied at Radcliffe and the Landscape Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Ashley values collaboration, field-based learning, and ongoing education, continually deepening her understanding of dynamic ecological systems.
Guided by a deep respect for natural processes and regional landscapes, Ashley’s designs prioritize habitat creation, ecological resilience, and long-term environmental health. She currently resides in Vermont and serves on the board of the Vermont Nursery & Landscape Association. She is also a member of the Biodiversity Alliance and the Ecological Landscape Alliance.
https://www.arobinsonlandscapes.com/
Also, you will have an opportunity to participate in SELT’s first annual native plant sale before it ends on March 15 and ask Roanne questions about the plants that are a part of the sale.

Registration required: CLICK HERE

2026 Volunteer Field Season Kick-Off
2026-03-14 09:00 - 12:00 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
Join SELT’s Volunteer Program Staff at The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature on Saturday, March 14 from 9:00 am to noon for the fourth annual Volunteer Field Season Kickoff!
The Kickoff will give volunteers a chance to meet SELT staff and other volunteers, and learn about some of the ways to volunteer with SELT. After light refreshments we’ll do a group icebreaker, then split into groups for three rotating training sessions. We’ll finish up with a review of the volunteer portal and time tracking sheet, with time for questions. This event is open to anyone interested in volunteering with SELT, so feel free to share this information with your friends and bring them along!
Field Season Kickoff Schedule

9:00 am – Arrival, coffee, networking
9:15 am – Welcome and icebreaker
9:30 am – Rotating training sessions (details TBD)
11:00 am – Volunteer program info and Q&A
12:00 – Event ends

REGISTER HERE

Reading Rural Landscapes with Dr. Rob Sanford
2026-03-25 17:15 - 18:30 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
Join us for an active engagement PowerPoint presentation on viewing and interpreting common local rural environmental features that provide clues to our historical past. Ordinary landscapes can reveal what happened in the past. So, we will not be dealing with the exotic, just what you might expect to see around your own homes. You can follow up these clues with historical research, oral interviews and field work. But sometimes it is fun to just look around and see what we see on a walk. Time and weather permitting, we will go outside after and see what our setting at Burley Farms happens to say.
Rob Sanford is a Registered Professional Archaeologist and a Professor Emeritus of Environmental Science & Policy at the University of Southern Maine. His books include Reading Rural Landscapes, River Voices: Perspectives on the Presumpscot, and Cultural Resources Archaeology.
Registration Required: CLICK HERE
