SELT

2024 Conservation Celebration and Annual Meeting
2024-06-08 16:00 - 18:00 (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
Save the Date!
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 8 at 4:00 PM.
Enjoy a catered barbeque 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.
Tickets are $35 per person.
Click here to register!
Schedule
4:00 pm
Event begins
Mathey Center open for self-guided tours featuring interactive stations showcasing SELT’s work
4:15 pm
Guided property tours
Guests have the option to join a short walk to Nan’s bench to take in the view, or a longer walk around Burley Farms (bring your boots!)
5:00 pm
Dinner and awards presentation

Thank You Sponsors!

Little SELTies Storytime - Spring Session- Last Date Changed to 6/7
2024-06-07 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
The last storytime session for spring 2024 has been postponed to June 7th.
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 and/or wild play in the forest. This program is designed for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Storytimes for the spring session will run on 4/12, 5/3, 5/17, 5/31. 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

Riveting Raptors with Tailwinds *WAITLIST*
2024-06-05 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. Please join the waitlist and we’ll be in touch if space becomes available.
Meet the TAILWINDS team of educational birds along with a Tailwinds educator and learn about your diurnal and nocturnal raptor neighbors. You will recognize these birds and have an opportunity to learn about adaptations that give them superpowers! Learn about their habitat, conservation needs, and what we can do to co-exist with these impressive neighbors. This program will give you a chance to meet a live owl, hawk, and vulture.

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

Forest Fridays - Spring Session
2024-04-05 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. This series is presented in partnership with UNH Cooperative Extension and led by nature-based educator Katie Lianza. Forest Friday offers supervised kid-led exploration and unstructured outdoor play for kids aged 0-5 and their guardians. 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 spring session to be held on 4/5, 4/19, 5/10, 5/24. 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

Little SELTies Storytime - Spring Session
2024-04-12 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 and/or wild play in the forest. This program is designed for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Storytimes for the spring session will run on 4/12, 5/3, 5/17, 5/31. 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

Live Hive Demo with Pawtuckaway Beekeepers Association *WAITLIST*
2024-05-15 16:30 - 17:30 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
This program is at capacity. Please join the waitlist and we’ll let you know if space becomes available.
Join the Pawtuckaway Beekeepers Association and SELT to get an inside look at the amazing world of a beehive. The association will have an enclosed observation beehive with them. The clear sides will allow participants to see the bees and all the activity that’s happening inside such as: the queen laying eggs, worker bees feeding the brood, new bees emerging from their capped cells, and more! We hope you can buzz on by for this unique presentation!

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

Photographing Birds in the Field with Tony Baldasaro *WAITLIST*
2024-05-04 08:00 - 10:30 | Burley Farms, 247 N. River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
This program is at capacity. Please join the waitlist and we’ll be in touch if space becomes available.
Join regionally renowned wildlife photographer Tony Baldasaro for a bird photography field trip. Tony will take you out to the northern side of the Burley Farms property to get up close with the fields, forest, and beaver pond and our avian friends who call these places home. Participants will learn more about finding the best scenarios for bird photography- including lighting, bird position, and bird action shots. This field trip is for photographers with at least some wildlife photography experience and the suggested equipment includes:

Binoculars
DSLR or Mirrorless Camera
Lens long enough for wildlife photography (more than 200 mm). Ideally this will be a zoom lens and not a fixed lens. (see below)
Because we will be primarily photographing small, fast-moving birds, a zoom lens with a wide range of focal lengths is ideal. (100-400, 100-500, 150 – 600 are examples). Having a big, heavy prime lens, like a fixed 600mm, will only slow our participants down.
A tripod is not recommended as it can slow down your photography. Photographers should prepare to be handheld or use a nimble monopod.

We hope you can join this educational and fun morning of bird photography at Burley! To learn more about Tony and his photography, visit his website at tb3photography.com or find him on Instagram @tb3_photo.

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

Woodcock Sit at Birch Ridge *WAITLIST*
2024-04-26 18:45 - 20:45 | Birch Ridge Community Forest
This program is at capacity. Please join the waitlist and we’ll be in touch if space becomes available.
Join SELT, Matt Tarr (UNH Cooperative Extension Professor & Wildlife Specialist), and Charlie Bridges of the BRCF Steering Committee for a special “Sunset Sit to Observe Woodcock.” This field trip will require minimal walking, as participants gather by the BRCF cabin to learn more about the Birch Ridge Community Forest, watch the sunset, and listen for woodcock. Participants are invited to bring binoculars, a lawn chair and picnic dinner, as well.

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

Post-Harvest Forestry Tour *WAITLIST*
2024-04-25 17:00 - 19:00 | Stonehouse Forest
This program is at capacity. Please join the waitlist and we’ll be in touch if space becomes available.
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: Moderate
Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required: www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach

Wild & Scenic Film Festival
2024-04-19 19:00 - 21:30 | The Music Hall, Portsmouth, NH, United States
Celebrate the wonder and the beauty of nature at The Music Hall in Portsmouth and join us on Friday, April 19 for SELT’s 14th annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival!
This year’s films combine exceptional filmmaking, breathtaking cinematography, and compelling storytelling to inform and inspire about the power of the natural world. Attendees can expect award-winning films about nature, outdoor adventure, conservation, wildlife, environmental issues, agriculture, and more.
SELT’s volunteer film committee has hand-picked a program from the award-winning films curated by the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) and national Wild & Scenic Film Festival and we cannot wait to share it with you!
Click here to buy your tickets!

Harvey Kennard Adventure Hike
2024-04-13 09:00 - 12:00 | Harvey Kennard Forest, Epping, NH, United States
Join SELT Volunteer and experienced hike leader Sue Mayotte on an adventure hike at Harvey Kennard Forest. The hike will be about four miles and include some of SELT’s newest trails. You’ll stop for a snack break at the top of the hill before returning back to the French Road lot. The minimum age for participation is 8 years old. No dogs, please.

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

The Magic of Monhegan: Maine's Birding Mecca with Dan Gardoqui *WAITLIST*
2024-04-10 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
This program is at capacity. Please join the waitlist and we’ll be in touch if space becomes available.
Enjoy a photographic tour of this scenic island ten miles from the mainland. Widely known as a fabulous place to observe bird migration in both spring and fall, Dan will share the stories of the diverse birdlife of this remote fishing village with its many art studios, scenic cliffs and mossy spruce forests adorned with fairy houses. Dan Gardoqui is a professional bird guide and amateur wildlife photographer who’s led multiple trips to Monhegan Island and still is in awe of it’s beauty and charm.

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

Piscassic Greenway History Hike *WAITLIST* *RESCHEDULED*
2024-03-23 09:00 - 12:00 | Piscassic Greenway
This trip has been rescheduled to 3/30 due to the inclement weather forecasted for 3/23.
This program is at capacity. Please join the waitlist and we’ll be in touch if space becomes available.
The Piscassic Greenway is full of New Hampshire history. Forester Phil Auger has spent the past several years researching and studying this history. Join Phil for an engaging historical tour of this gem of the seacoast.

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

Forest Fridays Winter Session *WAITLIST*
2024-02-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Piscassic Greenway
This program is at capacity. Please join the waitlist and we’ll be in touch if space becomes available.
Meet us at the Piscassic Greenway Gate 2 for a kid-led nature exploration as part of our Forest Friday series. This series is presented in partnership with UNH Cooperative Extension and is led by nature-based educator Katie Lianza. Forest Friday offers 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 and getting muddy. Forest Fridays in the winter session to be held on 2/2, 2/16, 3/8, and 3/22. 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

Tucker Trek Thursdays
2024-01-25 09:45 - 12:00 | Tucker & French Family Forest
Come explore at the Tucker & French Family Forest this winter with nature-based educator, Kim Cote. We may observe some scats, tracks, birds, and other signs of wildlife while frolicking about. We’ll also experience how the forest changes during the winter months. This field trip is intended for families with children ages 4 and up. Please pack a picnic lunch if you want to enjoy a winter picnic after our adventures.
Series dates: 1/25, 2/15, 3/14. Please sign up for the whole series, even if you can’t attend every date.

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

New Hampshire Bats with Speaking for Wildlife *WAITLIST*
2024-03-13 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 program is at capacity. Please join the waitlist and we’ll be in touch if space becomes available.
Bats have been in the news lately. Wondering what’s up with bats in New Hampshire? This talk, presented by Speaking for Wildlife through UNH Cooperative Extension, will give you an overview of the different kinds of bats found in our state, where to look for them, and how landowners and homeowners can help conserve these fascinating mammals. You’ll also learn about the impact of white-nose syndrome on our bats in New Hampshire, what scientists are learning about this threat, and how you can help.

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

Cross Country Ski with Seven Rivers - Mast Road Natural Area *CANCELED*
2024-03-13 09:00 - 11:00 | Mast Road Natural Area
This program has been canceled due to lack of snow.
Seven Rivers Enrichment’s mission is to offer exceptional outdoor enrichment to people of all ages. Join SELT and Seven Rivers Enrichment for an adult-paced cross-country skiing adventure. Whether this is your first time skiing or you are a seasoned skier, adults are invited to join this ski through the Mast Road Natural Area in Epping. Ski rentals will be available through Seven Rivers for $12.00, or you can bring your own skis. This trip is weather/conditions dependent.

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

Covered Bridge Forest Tour *WAITLIST*
2024-03-09 09:30 - 11:30 | Covered Bridge Forest, Atkinson, NH, United States
This program is at capacity. Please join the waitlist and we’ll be in touch if space becomes available.
Join SELT Land Conservation Director, Duane Hyde, for a hiking tour of one of SELT’s latest conservation projects: Covered Bridge Forest in Atkinson. Covered Bridge Forest contains over 140 acres of beautiful forestland and precious green space. With your help, we can conserve this land, improve the existing trail system, create a trailhead parking lot, and support the stewardship of the land into the future. Come learn more about the importance of this beautiful forest, and join us in conserving it forever.

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

Volunteer Field Season Kickoff! *WAITLIST*
2024-03-02 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
This program is at capacity. Please join the waitlist and we’ll be in touch if space becomes available.
Join SELT’s Volunteer Program Staff at The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature on Saturday, March 2nd from 9AM-Noon for the second 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:

SELT 101 with Zoe
Trail Building with Yohann
Monitoring with Chad
11:00 – Volunteer portal review and general questions

Noon – Event ends
Registrations are required – EVENT AT CAPACITY CLICK HERE to be added to the waiting list.

Little SELTies Storytime Winter Session *WAITLIST*
2024-01-12 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
This program is at capacity. Please join the waitlist and we’ll be in touch if space becomes available.
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 winter session will run on 1/12, 1/26, 2/9, and 2/23. 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

Maple Sugaring Workshop *WAITLIST*
2024-02-15 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
This program is at capacity. Please register for the waitlist and we will be in touch if space becomes available.
Ever wonder how maple syrup is made? From steel buckets and oxen-drawn wagons to the advanced technology used today, maple syrup production has changed considerably over time. But one thing has remained constant – maple trees and their sweet sap. Join Steve Roberge, UNH Extension Forestry Specialist and Professor, to learn about the history, production, and biology of maple sugaring.

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

Winter Wildlife Tracking at Birch Ridge *WAITLIST*
2024-02-10 09:30 - 12:00 | Birch Ridge Community Forest
This program is at capacity. Please join the waitlist and we’ll be in touch if space becomes available.
Join Emma Tutein, Community Conservation State 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: Moderate
Donate to support SELT’s Outreach Program now: CLICK HERE
Registration required: www.tinyurl.com/seltoutreach
