Nature Games and Wild Play - Spring
2023-05-09 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Burley Farms, 247 N. River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
Join SELT’s Outreach and Education Specialist, Lizzy Franceschini, for an afternoon of nature games and wild play on the northern portion of Burley Farms. The session will include time for both teacher-led nature games and child-led nature play and exploration. This field trip is for children ages 5-11 and their caregiver(s).

Difficulty: Easy
Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required: www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

The Role of Non-Native Shrubs as Habitat for Birds
2023-05-10 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 an evening program at The Mathey Center to learn about how non-native shrubs influence habitat quality for birds. Matt Tarr, UNH Cooperative Extension Professor & Wildlife Specialist, will lead this presentation as we explore how non-native shrubs impact declining songbird populations.
Sign up for this presentation and the follow-up field trip “The Role of Native and Non-Native Shrubs as Habitat for Birds and Other Wildlife” for the most in-depth exploration of this topic.

Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Forest Friday with Laney & Lu
2023-05-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Piscassic Greenway
Join us for a special end-of-year Forest Friday celebration featuring a picnic lunch with Laney & Lu.
Meet us at the Piscassic Greenway Gate 2 for a kid-led nature exploration as part of our Forest Friday series. This series will be led by SELT’s Outreach and Education Specialist Lizzy Franceschini and will offer supervised kid-led exploration and unstructured outdoor play for kids aged 0-5 and their guardians. This series will take place rain, snow or shine – be sure to dress appropriately for the weather, you’ll want to be comfortable being still. After our exploration, we will stay for a picnic lunch with snack boxes provided by Laney & Lu.
This series is intended for kids aged 0-5 and their guardians:

Difficulty: Easy
Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required: www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

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

Seacoast Village Project Burley Farms Field Trip
2023-05-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Burley Farms, 247 N. River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
This event is for members of Seacoast Village Project.
Members of the Seacoast Village Project will visit Burley Farms for a hike and presentation on The Mathey Center.
Click here to visit the Seacoast Village Project website and to register: https://seacoast.helpfulvillage.com/events/555

The Role of Native and Non-Native Shrubs as Habitat for Birds and Other Wildlife *WAITLIST*
2023-05-17 17:30 - 20:00 | Burley Farms, 247 N. River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
This field trip is at capacity. Please follow the registration link to join the waitlist.
Come to Burley Farms for an educational field trip led by Matt Tarr, UNH Cooperative Extension Professor & Wildlife Specialist. On the field trip, Matt will discuss how to identify common native & non-native shrubs and how these shrubs function as wildlife habitat. Additionally, we will identify birds we see and hear along the way, so be sure to bring binoculars if you have them.
Sign up to attend the presentation “The Role of Non-Native Shrubs as Habitat for Birds” the week before the field trip for the most in-depth exploration of this topic.

Difficulty: Easy
Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required – www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

Wildflowers and Woodwinds
2023-05-21 14:30 - 17:00 | Burley Farms, 247 N. River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
Join us for a beautiful spring afternoon featuring wildflowers and woodwinds at the Burley Farms campus. We will start the afternoon with a wildflower hike lead by Joanne Gloade, field ecologist/botanist from The Nature Conservancy. The Burley Farms fields should have a variety of flowers blooming in May and Joanne will help us identify them and discuss the pollinators who rely on these beautiful plants. After the hike, we will come into The Pratt Family Community Room for a woodwinds concert by the Fiske’NFell Clarinet Duo, featuring Nancy Fiske and Christine Fell.
You can read our COVID-19 Safety Policy here: www.seltnh.org/covid19/
Registration required – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Little SELTies Stortytime - Late Spring Series
2023-05-26 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 Outreach and Education Specialist 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. Storytime in the late spring session to be held: May 26th and June 2nd. Please sign up for the whole series, even if you cannot make every date.

Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required: CLICK HERE

Little SELTies Storytime- Late Spring Session
2023-06-02 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

National Trails Day - Spruce Swamp Trails Opening Celebration
2023-06-03 09:30 - 14:30 | Spruce Swamp Conservation Area, Fremont, NH, United States
Celebrate National Trails Day with SELT by attending the ribbon cutting for one of our newest trail systems- Spruce Swamp Conservation Area in Fremont! We will begin the morning by celebrating and officially opening the new trail system. Then, forester Phil Auger will lead a hike on the new trails. Bring your own picnic lunch for after the hike, then stick around for the afternoon for volunteer trail work at Spruce Swamp. Feel free to come for just part of the day, or stay the whole day as we celebrate National Trails Day!
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
• Registration required –www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

SELT's Annual Conservation Celebration
2023-06-10 16:00 - 19:30 | 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 celebrate another year of conservation success at the Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms on Saturday, June 10 at 4:00 PM.
The event will feature live music provided by Chad Verbeck of Rockspring, and the opportunity to join a Mathey building and/or Burley Farms property tour.
Enjoy a catered barbecue buffet featuring locally sourced food from SELT conserved farms and cash bar stocked with local brews, followed by a celebratory presentation where we’ll honor our partners in conservation and the recipients of the Jack Heath Award for Conservationist of the Year, the Ashton Hallett Award for Exemplary Stewardship of the Land, and the Founders’ Award for Volunteerism.
Click here to RSVP!
Schedule:
4:00

Event Begins
Building Open for Self-Guided Tours

4:15

Guided property tours depart from patio
Interested guests will be able to join a shorter walk, as well as a more robust hike around the Burley Farms Property

5:00

Dinner and Awards Presentation

Tickets:
Attendance at the Conservation Celebration is $30 per adult, $15 per child (age 7–15), children 6 and under are welcome to attend free of charge. Registration Required. Please RSVP by Friday, June 2.
Please call 603-778-6088 or email register@seltnh.org with any questions you may have!

Vulture Culture with Tailwinds: Raptor Education and Conservation
2023-06-14 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
Join Tailwinds: Raptor Education and Conservation educators to learn about the undervalued, underestimated, and misunderstood Turkey Vulture. Meet education team member Greta – a curious and social Turkey Vulture up close and in person. Learn to admire and respect one of the most impressive birds in our ecosystem.

Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Howard Swain Memorial Forest Naturalist Tour
2023-06-15 09:30 - 11:30 | Howard Swain Memorial Forest, Deerfield, NH
Howard Swain Memorial Forest is a hiker’s paradise with rocky trails, multiple ponds, and an amazing view over to Pawtuckaway State Park. The varied ecosystems of the land are home to many plant and animal species. Come explore this unique forest with Kim Cote, a Natural Resources Steward and Nature-Based Educator. This program is open to all ages.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required: www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

Summer Solstice Yoga Hike at Stonehouse Forest
2023-06-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Stonehouse Forest
Join avid hiker and 500 Hour Registered Yoga Instructor Venera Gattonini for a Summer Solstice Yoga Hike! Participants will hike through beautiful Stonehouse Forest up to the cliff overlooking Stonehouse Pond. At the lookout, Venera will lead the group through a meditative yoga session in celebration of the Summer Solstice. The group will then use the light from the longest day of the year to hike out of the forest.
More about Venera: Venera Gattonini has also been a middle school and high school teacher (Woodworking and Art) for the last 20 years. For the last nine years she has been teaching mindfulness in the classroom. In the last three years she has been teaching yoga and mindfulness in the woods, in yoga studios and at UNH, at the Chase Children’s home, and leading small group mindfulness workshops. Venera is certified in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and AED.
“I’m a joyful spirit, an outdoor enthusiast, an avid hiker, an adventurer, an artist, a woodworking and art teacher, a dream nurturer and people lover. We are all one. I look forward to your presence and to co-creating a joyful and nurturing environment where you can be confident that you will be encouraged and supported when you step out of your comfort zone on or off the mat.” – Venera
This program is for people ages 14 and up with some hiking and/or yoga experience.

Difficulty: Moderate
Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required: CLICK HERE

Ponding For Kids
2023-06-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Burley Farms, 247 N. River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
Join SELT’s Outreach and Education Specialist, Lizzy Franceschini, for a fun exploration of the Burley Farms Beaver Pond! We will hike out to the pond and use our nets to catch and identify creatures of the pond. There will also be time for free play and exploration.
This field trip is intended for children ages 5-12 and their caregiver(s).
• Difficulty: Easy
• Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
• Registration required –www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

Little SELTies Storytime - Summer Session
2023-06-30 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-07-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-08-18 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 Outreach and Education Specialist, 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 summer session to be held June 30th, July 21st, and August 18th. Please sign up for the whole series, even if you cannot make every date.

Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Powwow River Canoe Trip - WAITLIST
2023-07-11 17:00 - 20:00 | Powwow River Woodlands, Jewell Street, South Hampton, NH, United States
This field trip is at capacity. Please join the waitlist and we will be in touch if room becomes available.
Join long-time SELT Volunteer Josh Lent and SELT Outreach and Education Specialist Lizzy Franceschini for a canoe trip on the Powwow River! The Powwow River Woodlands are located within a relatively large, unfragmented block of land in South Hampton, therefore making this an extremely scenic paddle with chances to see many local wildlife species. This canoe trip is open to all, and we will bring canoes and life jackets that you may borrow for this trip. Participants should be prepared to help carry canoes a short distance from the parking lot to the canoe launch.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required: www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

Marine Mammals SeaTrek Program
2023-07-12 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
Marine mammals are among the most charismatic and interesting animals on the planet! Join the UNH Marine Docents at The Mathey Center for an evening of learning about these fascinating animals!
The engaging program will begin with a presentation that illustrates the physical and behavioral characteristics of select marine mammals. Participants will then be broken into small groups for a rotation of hands-on activities that are designed to provide students with opportunities to enhance their understanding of marine mammals.
This program is open to all ages.
This program is part of SELT’s Coastal Connections Series, which will culminate with a SELT Art Exhibition of
“Buried in Trash: Plastic is Poison for Our Planet” by Bob Thoresen in September.

Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Post-Harvest Forestry Tour at Stonehouse Forest - POSTPONED
2023-07-13 16:00 - 18:00 | Stonehouse Forest
This field trip is being postponed to the fall.
Join SELT’s Forest and Wildlife Habitat Manager Chad Fierros and consulting forester Charlie Moreno for a post-harvest tour of Stonehouse Forest. Come see and hear about the latest forest management activities at Stonehouse Forest, including the benefits of timber harvests as part of a comprehensive forest management plan.
• Difficulty: Easy
• Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
• Registration required –www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

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

Cocheco River Kayaking Tour with Seven Rivers Paddling - WAITLIST
2023-07-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Cocheco River, Dover, New Hampshire
This field trip is at capacity. Please join the waitlist and we will be in touch if room becomes available.
Join SELT and Seven Rivers Paddling for a kayaking tour of one of NH’s beautiful tidal rivers. The tour will include views of historic downtown Dover and the Cocheco River. The registration fee of $5 includes the kayak rental and Seven Rivers guide. A separate Seven Rivers waiver and registration link will be sent after registering through SELT.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required: www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

Mountain Biking at Stratham Hill Park
2023-07-26 16:00 - 18:00 | Stratham Hill Park, 270 Portsmouth Ave, Stratham, NH, United States
Join SELT’s Land Conservation Director and avid mountain biker Duane Hyde for a mountain biking field trip at Stratham Hill Park. SELT helped conserve the Short Easement and Barker Easement which abuts the Gordon Barker Town Forest and includes parts of the Stratham Hill trail network. This ride is for experienced mountain bikers ages 15 and up.

Difficulty: Difficult
Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required: www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

Coastal Critters with Seacoast Science Center
2023-08-02 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
What animals and seaweeds can you find in New Hampshire tide pools and coastal zones? Meet these animals up close and learn about the interesting and sometimes strange adaptations (suction cups, claws, tentacles) they use to capture their prey, move, or defend themselves.
Seacoast Science Center will be bringing this program to SELT’s Mathey Center for People and Nature.
This program is part of SELT’s Coastal Connections Series, which will culminate with a SELT Art Exhibition of “Buried in Trash: Plastic is Poison for Our Planet” by Bob Thoresen in September.

Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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

Farm Tour and Herbal Mocktails at Dandelion Forest Farm *WAITLIST*
2023-08-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Dandelion Forest Fam, 311 Stage Road, Nottingham, NH, United States
This field trip is at capacity. Please join the waitlist and we will be in touch if space becomes available.
Dandelion Forest Farm is an agroforestry farm started by a chef, a farmer, & a scientist on a mission to figure out a better way to grow & eat food. Through a partnership with the former landowners and SELT, the land at Dandelion Forest Farm is now conserved forever!
Join Farmer Linh and SELT’s Senior Conservation and Farmland Project Manager Jeremy Lougee for a tour of the farm with special stops to enjoy a selection of herbal mocktails featuring farm-grown herbs and edible flowers.

Difficulty: Easy
Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required: www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

Nature Games and Wild Play- Summer!
2023-08-15 16:00 - 18:00 | Burley Farms, 247 N. River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States

Marine Debris Presentation with Blue Ocean Society *CANCELED*
2023-09-13 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 has been canceled.
Join the Blue Ocean Society for an interactive presentation on marine debris and the importance of keeping our beaches clean. The Blue Ocean Society is a non-profit organization that protects marine life in the Gulf of Maine through research, education and inspiring action.
This program is part of SELT’s Coastal Connections Series, which will culminate with a SELT Art Exhibition of “Buried in Trash: Plastic is Poison for Our Planet” by Bob Thoresen in September. Participants in the Marine Debris program will also be able to view the art exhibit while at The Mathey Center.

Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Forest Friday Fall Session *WAITLIST*
2023-09-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Piscassic Greenway
Meet us at the Piscassic Greenway Gate 2 for a kid-led nature exploration as part of our Forest Friday series in partnership with UNH Cooperative Extension. This series will be led by a nature-based educator and will offer supervised kid-led exploration and unstructured outdoor play for kids aged 0-5 and their guardians with a focus on youth mental wellness and development. This series will take place rain or shine – be sure to dress appropriately for the weather, you’ll want to be comfortable being still and getting muddy. Forest Fridays in the fall session to be held on 9/15, 9/29, and 10/27. Please sign up for the whole series, even if you cannot make every date.

Difficulty: Easy
Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required: www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach
