Recognizing & Managing Wildlife Habitat on your Land
2022-10-27 08:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
Join SELT and Matt Tarr, UNH Cooperative Extension Professor & Wildlife Specialist, to learn how to recognize and improve habitat for wildlife in forests, fields, and wetlands. The workshop will be held outdoors at SELT’s Burley Farms in Epping and include a slow-paced off-trail walk over moderate terrain, with many stops for discussion.
During this workshop we will visit forest, field, and wetland habitats where you will learn:

How to recognize specific features that comprise each habitat type
What and how specific wildlife species use each feature as habitat
How to create or enhance habitat opportunities for specific wildlife

Before attending the workshop, please watch Intro to Assessing & Managing Wildlife Habitat (click here!) (33 min). We will apply the information introduced in this presentation during our workshop.
This series is intended for landowners and anyone interested in learning how to manage habitat for wildlife.

You can read our COVID-19 Safety Policy here: seltnh.org/covid19/
Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required: tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

Middle Grades Mindfulness Hike with Quiet Mind Wild Heart *Postponed*
2023-01-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Charles E. Rand Memorial Forest
This event is postponed until Spring 2023.
Join Quiet Mind Wild Heart’s Katie Lianza, a certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Teens Trainer and secondary educator, for a winter mindfulness hike for the middle grades. On this hike, pre-teens and teens will have a chance to connect to their peers, nature, and themselves through meditation, mindfulness, and poetry. This is a drop-off field trip for youth ages 10-15 and an additional permission form will be sent to participants before the trip.
Difficulty: Easy
You can read our COVID-19 Safety Policy here: www.seltnh.org/covid19/
Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required – www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

Forest Health Landowner Workshop
2023-02-07 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 foresters from UNH Cooperative Extension for a landowner’s workshop focused on forest health. At the workshop, Steven Roberge (State Forestry Specialist), Greg Jordan (Rockingham County Forestry Field Specialist), Dode Gladders (Sullivan County Forestry Field Specialist) and Mike Gagnon (Hillsborough County Forestry Field Specialist) will help you learn to identify insects, invasive species, and diseases that are impacting local forests. The foresters will then moderate a discussion on how these pests can affect the management of your land. Participants are also encouraged to bring their own samples, photos, and questions to the workshop.
You can read our COVID-19 Safety Policy here: www.seltnh.org/covid19/
Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required – www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

Winter Wildlife Tracking for All Ages
2023-02-18 09:30 - 12:00 | Birch Ridge Community Forest
Join Emma Tutein, Natural Resources and Land Conservation Field Specialist from UNH Cooperative Extension, for a winter hike and exploration of Birch Ridge Community Forest. Along the way we will look for signs of wildlife, which may include tracks, scat, shrub grazes, pellets, sleeping patches, and rubs. Pack lunch if you’d like to enjoy a winter picnic. This field trip is intended for all ages.
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• You can read our COVID-19 Safety Policy here: www.seltnh.org/covid19/
• Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
• Registration required –www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

Spring Equinox Storytelling with Indigenous NH and MMRG
2023-03-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Birch Ridge Community Forest
Join MMRG and SELT as we co-host Indigenous NH at the Birch Ridge Community Forest for a one hour storytelling event to celebrate the spring equinox. The event will be held on Saturday, March 25th at 2pm at the cabin site at BRCF. This event is suitable for all ages and will include a special storytelling and basic historical information provided by a representative from Indigenous NH from the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook Abenaki. Birch Ridge Community Forest is a 2663.8 acre property owned by SELT NH with the conservation easement held by MMRG. Our two land trusts are proud to work together as partners in stewarding and sharing this special place. For a map, directions and parking instructions, please see the SELT webpage for BRCF here.
Please note that there is a walk from the parking area to the cabin site which is approximately .5 miles in length along a wide woods road with some sections of moderate incline. The event itself will take place in an unheated cabin and/or in an open field (weather permitting). Participants should come dressed for outdoor weather and prepared to provide for their own comfort including water, snacks and perhaps a blanket for sitting on. There are no bathroom facilities on site.
Founded in 2016, Indigenous NH is a grassroots movement of community members of diverse cultural backgrounds, working to re-frame New Hampshire’s heritage through a decolonial lens. Learn more at indigenousnh.com.
The Southeast Land Trust (SELT) conserves and stewards land for the benefit of people and nature in New Hampshire. SELT serves all of Rockingham and Strafford counties and has conserved tens of thousands of acres since 1980, including nature preserves, hiking trails, farmland, and scenic vistas.
MMRG is a non-profit land trust serving a nine town service region in northern Strafford and southern Carroll counties. Our mission is to conserve key natural resource areas in our New Hampshire communities and connect them within a permanently protected network of greenways and open space for today and tomorrow. Learn more at mmrgnh.org

Difficulty: Easy
You can read our COVID-19 Safety Policy here: www.seltnh.org/covid19/
Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required – www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

SELT at the Earth Day Kick-Off Sustainability Fair
2023-04-21 16:00 - 19:00 | Connie Bean Center, 155 Parrott Ave, Porstmouth, NH, United States
Join SELT at Portsmouth NH 400’s Earth Day Kick-Off Sustainability Fair!
SELT will be one of approximately 25 organizations attending the fair to share with the community ways people can get involved and take action to help take care of our planet and live a little more sustainably.
Visit the Portsmouth NH 400 Event Calendar to learn more: https://www.portsmouthnh400.org/calendar

Mindful Movement and Hike with UNH Cooperative Extension
2023-05-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Burley Farms, 247 N. River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
This program is in partnership with UNH Cooperative Extension’s 4H Healthy Living Mental Wellness Pathway.
The Mindful Movement and Hike will focus on the growing field of research using nature as more than a backdrop for experiences, but instead as a powerful modality for mental wellness. Multiple studies referenced in an Advanced Sciences article, Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective, have linked time in nature to lower levels of mental distress, positive social interactions, and a sense of meaning and purpose in life. Coupled with evidence-based mindfulness practices, which Dr. Gavin, Director of Behavioral Medicine for the Back on Trek Program within the Neurological Institute, writes about in her article, highlighting an overall reduction in the areas of stress, chronic pain, and relapses in mental illness as well improved mental health including quality of sleep.
Combining these two fields of research, our skilled presenters will use a guided approach to the day, using mindfulness-based practices like low-impact hiking and yoga as well as grounding techniques like walking meditation and creating a sound map. The two-hour immersive experience will leave participants grounded in their natural surroundings, ultimately connecting their Head, Heart, and Hands for improved mental Health!
Registration is required. Please visit the events page on the UNH Cooperative Extension website for more information and to register: https://extension.unh.edu/event/2023/05/mindful-movement-hike

Watershed Walk at Pawtuckaway River Reservation - WAITLIST
2023-07-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Pawtuckaway River Reservation, Epping, NH, 03042
This field trip is at capacity. Please register for the waitlist and we will be in touch if space becomes available.
The Pawtuckaway is one of the Lamprey River’s cleanest tributaries, beginning at Pawtuckaway Lake and connecting with the Lamprey in west Epping. The Pawtuckaway River is located within a core focus area of the Land Conservation Plan for New Hampshire’s Coastal Watershed, a publicly-created blueprint that identified large blocks of land throughout the region as top priorities for land conservation due to water quality, wildlife, and ecological benefits. Join local conservationist and writer Phil Primack for a guided tour of a portion of the reservation with gorgeous views of this important tributary. Expect to walk between 1-2 miles.
This field trip is part of the “Wednesday Watershed Walks” series organized by the Great Bay Piscataqua Waterkeeper and featuring several local conservation groups.
• Difficulty: Easy
• Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
• Registration required –www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

Watershed Walk at Leighton Forest *WAITLIST*
2023-08-09 16:00 - 18:00 | Leighton Forest, Strafford, United States
This field trip is at capacity. Please register for the waitlist and we’ll be in touch if space becomes available.
Leighton Forest is a tranquil property located by the Stonehouse Brook in Barrington. Join SELT Board Member and Barrington conservationist John Wallace for a guided walk through the woods and down to this beautiful section of river. Expect to walk between 1-2 miles, with some of the walk off trail to allow for best river views.
This field trip is part of the “Wednesday Watershed Walks” series organized by the Great Bay Piscataqua Waterkeeper and featuring several local conservation groups.
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
• Registration required –www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

Hawk Watch with Moose Mountains Regional Greenways
2023-09-30 09:00 - 12:00 | Birch Ridge Community Forest
In partnership with Moose Mountains Regional Greenways, join a hawk watch with renowned ornithologist and best-selling nature writer Scott Weidensaul. Scott will share his deep expertise with participants as well as his experiences from over 20 years of working with birds in the field across the globe.

This program will take place at Birch Ridge Community Forest, an expansive conservation property owned by SELT and with a portion held in easement by Moose Mountains Regional Greenways. Participants will need to be able to walk approximately 1/2 mile up a mild to moderate incline along a woods road to the birding destination. All are encouraged to bring chairs and binoculars.

Registration required: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/DMOEU6_2Lc3_RltLx_DBZw

Edible & Medicinal Qualities of Fungi with Moose Mountains Regional Greenways
2024-08-31 09:00 - 12:00 | Birch Ridge Community Forest
In partnership with Moose Mountains Regional Greenways, join a walk and talk with Rick Van de Poll at Birch Ridge Community Forest in New Durham.
Fungi have been used for tens of thousands of years for food and medicine. Yet every day we learn more and more about their nutritional and medicinal value as more and more people study, eat, and run trials on various fungi. With over 4 million species estimated on the planet, there are as yet undiscovered benefits of using fungi for food or medicine. Beyond the well-known oysters, boletes, and chanterelles there are hundreds of good to excellent tasty treats in the mushroom world. Equally and perhaps more important, beyond penicillin, shiitake and chaga there are dozens of valuable fungi that provide critical immune support, cancer-fighting capabilities, and circulatory relief. Join us for an informative tour of a local conservation area for an in-hand experience with learning about this fascinating group!
Dr. Rick Van de Poll is the principal of Ecosystem Management Consultants (EMC) of Sandwich, New Hampshire. He has taught Mycology at the undergraduate and graduate level for over 35 years. He has been on the Northeast Mycological Federation (NEMF) Faculty list since 1996 when he co-chaired the joint NAMA-NEMF Foray at Mt. Ascutney. He is currently the Acting President of NEMF and the Sandwich Area Mushroom Club in New Hampshire.
Tickets are $15 per person.
Registration required: CLICK HERE.

NH Tree Farm Field Day
2024-09-28 08:00 - 15:00
From our friends at NH Tree Farm: You’re invited to tour Eli’s Woods, the 100+ acre Tree Farm in Epping, NH, that SELTie Phil Primack has been stewarding for nearly 50 years. Phil is being recognized as NH’s Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year.
Come enjoy two great hikes, one along the Pawtuckaway River and another to see (and measure) NH’s state champion black birch, followed by a delicious BBQ lunch and a tour of Abenaki Timber in Epping. More information is in the BROCHURE, which you can download and send in to register. Contact Rita Carroll with questions. (rcarroll@forestsociety.org, 603-224-9945 x331).

Hawk Watch with Scott Weidensaul
2024-09-28 09:00 - 12:00 | Birch Ridge Community Forest
In partnership with Moose Mountains Regional Greenways (MMRG), join a hawk watch with renowned ornithologist and best-selling nature writer Scott Weidensaul at Birch Ridge Community Forest. Scott will share his deep expertise with participants as well as his experiences from over 20 years of working with birds in the field across the globe. This unique experience is not to be missed!
You will hike up to higher ground to watch for migrating hawk and raptor species as they head to warmer climates in preparation for winter. Late September is an ideal time to see migrating birds, which may pass by in the hundreds or even thousands. You might even notice other non-migrating bird species congregating nearby!
Make sure to bring your binoculars, dress accordingly for the weather, and bring sunscreen/bug spray and (if you like) a camp chair for sitting. This event requires walking 0.25 mile over a slight incline to the viewing area.
The inclement weather day is Sunday 9/29.
This event is free for MMRG members. Non-members please consider a $15 donation to support MMRG events.
Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Register today.

History of Fieldstone Walls
2024-10-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Birch Ridge Community Forest
In partnership with Moose Mountains Regional Greenways (MMRG), join Town Historian Catherine Orlowicz for a program titled “Fieldstone Walls—Their Form and Function—Birch Hill Community Forest.” The presentation will begin at the Cabin located at Birch Ridge Community Forest, New Durham, NH.
While at the cabin, guests, with the aid of photographs, will learn a little history about the beginning and evolution of these barriers that crisscross this rural landscape. Learn about the type of stones used in their construction, the different styles used in building these enclosures, and the different functions of the fieldstone walls. Guests will walk a little over a mile from the cabin to tour and view fine examples of fieldstone walls. The destination is the remaining stone features of the homestead of Chase Durgin. There will be examples of fieldstone walls used to keep livestock in or out of areas, the enclosure of a family burial ground, and the foundation for their cape-style home. The return walk to the cabin will provide an opportunity to look out over the breathtaking Merrymeeting Lake and the picturesque landscape of ridgelines near and far.
Catherine Orlowicz is the Town Historian for the Town of New Durham, NH. Formerly she has served as the President of two local non-profits specializing in historic preservation and was appointed Town Historian in 2006. She has served as President for two local non-profits connected with historic preservation. She currently serves on the Land Management Team for Birch Ridge Community Forest in New Durham.
The event is free for MMRG members. $10 suggested donation for non-members to support MMRG programs.
Register today.

Winter Wildlife Tracking Workshop
2026-02-06 09:30 - 12:00 | Birch Ridge Community Forest
Registration is full for this event, but you are welcome to join the waitlist.
Identifying and interpreting wildlife tracks can greatly expand your understanding of what species are using your land, and how wildlife respond to your habitat management activities. Join Wildlife Conservation State Specialist Haley Andreozzi and Community Conservation State Specialist Emma Tutein from UNH Cooperative Extension as they guide you through fields, forests, and wetlands in search of winter wildlife tracks and signs. You’ll also learn how to use wildlife sign to interpret wildlife behavior and habitat use.
This workshop will take place entirely outdoors at Birch Ridge Community Forest in New Durham, so come prepared and dress for winter weather. In the case of inclement weather, the workshop will be cancelled and potentially rescheduled.
What to Bring: Dress for being outdoors in winter conditions. Bring a snack, plenty of water, and your own snowshoes or traction devices.
In order to ensure this program is accessible for all, there are three registration fee options – $5, $15, or $25. Please pay what you can.
Sign up for the waitlist here: https://extension.unh.edu/event/2026/02/winter-wildlife-tracking-workshop-new-durham-full-join-waitlist
