SELT

What’s Wild in New Hampshire with Eric Orff
2026-05-06 17:30 - 18:30 (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 us on Wednesday, May 6th at the Mathey Center in Epping for an inspiring presentation by Eric Orff that will teach us about the “wild” right here in New Hampshire, and how to better appreciate and protect it.
As the state’s first bear biologist in the 1970s, Eric Orff began a half-century career as a “forest ranger who works with animals,” his stated dream job as a 7-year-old. With more than thirty-one years at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and another fifteen years with the National Wildlife Federation, Eric still publishes a video blog called “What’s Wild in New Hampshire” that regularly receives hundreds of thousands of views each week.
Eric’s career has spanned much more than bears; he has been called to work with White-tailed Deer, bats in a laundry room, snakes in a bathroom, and more. Journey with Eric through his childhood fishing expeditions, “eeling” mishaps, and dancing with fire in the field. Don’t miss a chance to learn about Eric’s entertaining and inspiring stories as a wildlife biologist. After the event, the book will be available for purchase and signing.
Registration Required: CLICK HERE

Little SELTies Storytime: Spring 2026 Session 2 of 2
2026-05-07 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
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 spring play in Burley’s Backyard. This program is designed for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Storytimes for spring 2026 will run on 4/23 & 5/7.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE

Forest Fridays with Four Winds Nature Institute - Spring 2026 Session 2 of 3
2026-05-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Stonehouse Forest
Meet us at Stonehouse Forest for a kid-led nature exploration as part of our Forest Friday series. This series will be led by nature-based educator Sara DeSerres from Four Winds Nature Institute. We will offer supervised kid-led adventure 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 or muddy. The dates of the Spring Session of Forest Fridays at Stonehouse Forest in Barrington will be 4/10 and 5/8 and at Leighton Forest in Strafford/Barrington on 5/22.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE
Difficulty: Easy

Spring Birds, Bugs, and Plants Walk
2026-05-12 08:00 - 11:00 | Spruce Swamp Conservation Area, Fremont, NH, United States
Join avid birder and expert bug enthusiast Steve Mirick for a spring bird, bugs, and plants walk through Spruce Swamp Conservation Area. This walk will start at the end of Andreski Drive in Fremont. Participants should wear appropriate footwear, be prepared for wet trails and bring insect repellent and binoculars.
This field trip is limited to 20 participants.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE

Adventure Auction with NEMO and SELT
2026-05-18 12:00 - 2026-05-20 19:30 | Virtual
Mark your calendars because It’s that time of the year again! Equip yourselves with top-of-the-line outdoor adventure gear at the annual NEMO auction. All proceeds will support SELT’s mission. Bidding opens May 18 at noon and closes May 20 at 7:30 pm.
Stay tuned for more details!

A SELT Walk in the Woods at Collins Family Forest
2026-05-19 09:00 - 12:00 | Collins Family Forest, North Shore Road, New Durham, NH, United States
Join experienced SELT hike leader Bill McClure for a monthly series of walks throughout 2026.
In May, we will hike on trails at Collins Family Forest in New Durham. More about Collins Family Forest can be found by CLICKING HERE. The route will be determined in advance and shared with participants two to three days prior to the event. This event is limited to 15 participants.

Registration required: CLICK HERE
Difficulty – 🥾🥾1/2 (out of 3) The trails at Collins go over uneven and steep terrain (including Mt Molly). The hike will last approximately 3 hours and will cover between 4 to 6 miles.

Eyes on the Sky: Raptors of SELT
2026-05-20 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
Discover the fascinating world of raptors with Tailwinds NH at Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire. Meet live raptor ambassadors and learn how hawks, owls, and vultures are uniquely adapted to life in New Hampshire’s forests and fields. This engaging program highlights their vital roles in healthy ecosystems and simple actions we can all take to help them thrive.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE

More about Tailwinds can be found at tailwinds.live

Forest Fridays at Piscassic Greenway - Spring 2026 Session 3 of 4
2026-05-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Piscassic Greenway
** RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER – was 5/15 **
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 Loralise LoDolce. We will offer 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, muddy, or snow covered. The Spring Sessions of Forest Fridays at Piscassic Greenway will be held on 3/20, 4/24, 5/15, and 6/5.
This series is intended for kids aged 0-5 and their guardians.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE
Difficulty: Easy

Forest Fridays with Four Winds Nature Institute - Spring 2026 Session 3 of 3
2026-05-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Leighton Forest, Strafford, United States
Meet us at Leighton Forest for a kid-led nature exploration as part of our Forest Friday series. This series will be led by nature-based educator Sara DeSerres from Four Winds Nature Institute. We will offer supervised kid-led adventure 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 or muddy. The dates of the Spring Session of Forest Fridays at Stonehouse Forest in Barrington will be 4/10 and 5/8 and at Leighton Forest in Strafford/Barrington on 5/22.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE
Difficulty: Easy

SELT Summer Canoe Series (1 of 3)
2026-05-29 08:00 - 11:00 | Lions Camp Pride, Lions Camp Pride Way, New Durham, NH, 03855, United States
Join us for our first canoe series as we explore a variety of water bodies along lands that we are helping to conserve. The first event in this series will be on Merrymeeting Lake in New Durham. This event is limited to 9 participants. A few additional spots may be available if you have your own canoe or kayak. If this is the case and you wish to join, please reach out to register@seltnh.org.
The cost is $10 per person. The rain date is Monday, June 1st.
The Summer Canoe Series is brought to you by Dermatology and Skin Heath, your local independent patient-centric skin care practice ready to help with your skin’s health and appearance.
Big thanks to Lions Camp Pride who has been kind enough to allow us to park, stage, and launch from their location. Thank you to Josh Lent, who generously donated 5 canoes and a canoe trailer to SELT, making events like this one possible. You can show your appreciation to Josh by supporting Huckleberry’s Candies in Hampton!

Registration Required: CLICK HERE
Difficulty – Moderate

Birch Ridge Community Forest Post-Burn Walk
2026-05-29 13:00 - 15:30 | Birch Ridge Community Forest
Join SELT’s Forest & Wildlife Habitat Manager, Chad Fierros, for a field visit to Birch Ridge Community Forest. SELT, in partnership with Star Tree Prescribed Fire and the New Durham Fire Department, conducted a prescribed burn on approximately 20 acres of the community forest in April of 2026. This field visit will include discussions on the objectives for the burn, the logistics of the operation, and will provide an early look at how the site is responding one month after the burn. All are welcome and we especially encourage folks affiliated with land trusts, conservation commissions, and fire departments to attend who may be interested in learning more about prescribed burns.
The field tour will leave from the trailhead parking lot at the end of Birch Hill Road at 1:00pm. It will involve approximately 2.5 miles of hiking (round-trip) which will be almost entirely on trails. Folks should bring insect repellant, appropriate clothing and sun protection, and their own water/snacks.
The rain date is Monday, June 1st.
Directions and further details will be sent to those that are registered for this event one to two days prior.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Wildflowers and Woodwinds - Spring 2026
2026-05-31 14:30 - 17:30 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
Join us for a beautiful spring afternoon featuring wildflowers and woodwinds at the Burley Farms. We will start the afternoon with a wildflower hike lead by Evy Nathan from Pollinator Pathways New Hampshire. The Burley Farm fields should have a variety of flowers blooming in late May and Evy will help us identify them and discuss the pollinators who rely on these beautiful plants. The wildflower walk is limited to 22 guests.
After the walk, we will come into The Pratt Family Community Room for a woodwinds concert by the Avalyn Reed Trio.
In this year celebrating 250 years of American democracy, the Avalyn Reed Trio is pleased to offer music by the creative and expressive voices that have sustained and buoyed us through the years. The concert features works by William Billings, Amy Beach, Stephen Foster, George Gershwin, Peter Schikele, Scott Joplin and John Philip Sousa: some of America’s delightful legacy in musical notes!
Since coming together in 2023, three musician friends have delighted audiences throughout the region with their beautiful concert programs and sparkling commentary. The Avalyn Reed Trio is composed of two clarinets and a bassoon, giving it a warm and uniquely-blended sound. “Avalyn” means “beautiful breath of life” and the word “Reed” refers to the reeds used on these instruments to produce the sound.

Registration Required (you will need to register for both separately)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE WALK (limited to 22)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE CONCERT (limited to 44)

Forest Fridays at Piscassic Greenway - Spring 2026 Session 4 of 4
2026-06-05 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 will be led by Loralise LoDolce. We will offer 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, muddy, or snow covered. The Spring Sessions of Forest Fridays at Piscassic Greenway will be held on 3/20, 4/24, 5/15, and 6/5.
This series is intended for kids aged 0-5 and their guardians.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE
Difficulty: Easy

A SELT Walk in the Woods - June 2026
2026-06-06 09:00 - 11:00 | Charles E. Rand Memorial Forest
Join experienced SELT hike leader Bill McClure for a monthly series of walks throughout 2026.
In June, we will celebrate National Trails Day and hike on trails at Charles E. Rand Memorial Forest in North Hampton & Rye. More about Charles E. Rand Memorial Forest can be found at https://seltnh.org/rand/
The route will be determined in advance and shared with participants two to three days prior to the event. This event is limited to 15 participants.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE
Difficulty – 🥾 (out of 3) The trails at Charles E. Rand Memorial Forest are mostly flat but there is some uneven terrain. The hike will likely last between 1 to 1 ½ hours and may use some of the Rye Conservation Commission trails that connect to Charles E. Rand Memorial Forest.

2026 SELT Conservation Celebration and Annual Meeting
2026-06-13 16:00 - 19:00
Join us to celebrate another year of saving, sharing, stewarding, and sustaining the lands we love!
Enjoy a catered buffet featuring locally sourced food from SELT-conserved farms and a cash bar stocked with local brews followed by a presentation honoring our partners in conservation.
We will also recognize 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.
BUY TICKETS HERE

SELTie Book Club - Spring 2026
2026-06-17 17:30 - 19:30 | 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 An Immense World by Ed Yong and the discussion on June 17 will be led by Vicki Brown who recommended the book during a previous book club discussion. Light refreshments will be provided.
The Earth teems with sights and textures, sounds and vibrations, smells and tastes, electric and magnetic fields. But every kind of animal, including humans, is enclosed within its own unique sensory bubble, perceiving but a tiny sliver of our immense world.
In An Immense World, Ed Yong coaxes us beyond the confines of our own senses, allowing us to perceive the skeins of scent, waves of electromagnetism, and pulses of pressure that surround us. We encounter beetles that are drawn to fires, turtles that can track the Earth’s magnetic fields, fish that fill rivers with electrical messages, and even humans who wield sonar like bats. We discover that a crocodile’s scaly face is as sensitive as a lover’s fingertips, that the eyes of a giant squid evolved to see sparkling whales, that plants thrum with the inaudible songs of courting bugs, and that even simple scallops have complex vision. We learn what bees see in flowers, what songbirds hear in their tunes, and what dogs smell on the street. We listen to stories of pivotal discoveries in the field, while looking ahead at the many mysteries that remain unsolved.
Funny, rigorous, and suffused with the joy of discovery, An Immense World takes us on what Marcel Proust called “the only true voyage . . . not to visit strange lands, but to possess other eyes.”

Registration Required: CLICK HERE

Summer Solstice Yoga Hike 2026
2026-06-19 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 looking over 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.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Tree ID for You and Me: Identifying the Hardwood and Softwood Trees of Southern New Hampshire
2026-06-20 08:30 - 23:00 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
Join Naturalist and author Tom Eid for a presentation, discussion, and on-site tree identification program.
Learn the basics and refine your skills for tree identification. Burley Farms is home to a diverse and healthy Appalachian Oak-Pine Forest. We will discuss habitats and growth characteristics and spend time outdoors exploring the local woods.
The session is in 2 parts. Part 1 is an interactive presentation. Part 2 is in-the-field, hands-on, tree identification. Attendees can work individually or in small groups to identify the primary hardwood and softwood trees at Burley Farms.
No previous tree identification or experience required.
About Tom Eid…
Tom 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, Moose Mountains Regional Greenways, and the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE
This event is limited to 20.

OTTO Pizza Fundraiser for SELT at their Exeter location
2026-06-22 11:00 - 22:00 | OTTO Pizza Exeter, 33 Water Street, Exeter, NH, 03833, United States
Come to OTTO Pizza in Exeter on June 22 and enjoy their excellent pies and support SELT.
OTTO was founded on the promise of an elevated pizza experience – transforming an oft-uninspired staple food through carefully-sourced, high-quality, wholesome ingredients, and culinary-inspired recipes.
More about OTTO can be found at https://www.ottoportland.com/

Mindful Mornings with Rooting in Nature
2026-06-24 09:00 - 11:00 | The Nan and George Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH, 03042, United States
What is Forest Bathing, and how can it enhance your health and wellbeing?
Join Certified Forest Therapy Guide Brittany Carr of Rooting in Nature for a meaningful morning of learning, mindfulness, and connection with nature. This event will be divided into two parts:

First Half: We’ll begin with an engaging presentation exploring the history and science of Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of “taking in the forest through our senses.” Discover how slowing down and engaging the senses can calm the mind, lower stress, and deepen your connection to the natural world. Brittany will share research-backed benefits alongside her own healing journey through Forest Therapy.
Forest Bathing Experience: Following the presentation, we’ll step outside for a brief guided Forest Bathing session. This experience is designed to give you a taste of what a full session entails, awakening your senses and grounding you in the present moment

We’ll wrap up the morning with tea, reflection, and quiet conversation.
In a world that often moves too fast, taking time to reconnect with nature—and with ourselves—has never been more important.
What to Bring:

Dress for the weather in layers
Wear sturdy shoes or boots and long socks
Bring water and something comfortable to sit on, like a small mat or pad

Come slow down, breathe deeply, and experience the restorative power of nature through mindful, sensory connection.

Registration Required – CLICK HERE
Cost – $15 per person plus a $5 suggested donation

Pathogens, Processors, and Partners – Fungi Talk & Walk
2026-06-24 17:30 - 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 UNH graduate and Biotechnologist Maxwell Leavitt for his presentation “Pathogens, Processors, and Partners.” a discussion on the critical and often unseen roles fungi play in our natural world both locally and abroad. Learn about the interactions fungi have with plants (Including examples from our own backyards) and how these relationships, for better or worse, shape industry, ecology, and our lives. From mushrooms to molds to mildews, all are welcome. This talk promises to be equal parts entertaining and informative. We hope to see you there!
Weather pending, the presentation will be followed by a short walk at Burley Farms to see what fungi we might find.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE
Difficulty (Walk): Easy

Watershed Walk at Scoutland
2026-07-01 17:00 - 18:30 | Scoutland, Rollinsford, NH, United States
Explore nearly 100 acres of protected forest, wetlands, and riverfront on this guided watershed walk at Scoutland in Rollinsford. With over 3,000 feet along the Salmon Falls River, this special place offers a firsthand look at how healthy forests and wetlands help protect water quality, support wildlife, and sustain the Great Bay ecosystem. Once home to generations of Boy Scouts, Scoutland is now a community treasure. Come experience its quiet beauty while learning how land conservation directly impacts the health of our shared waters.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

A SELT Walk in the Woods - July 2026
2026-07-07 09:00 - 12:00 | Kimball Reserve, Pickpocket Road, Exeter, NH, 03833, United States
Join experienced SELT hike leader Bill McClure for a monthly series of walks throughout 2026.
In July, we will take a leisurely stroll on trails at Kimball Reserve. More about Kimball Reserve can be found at https://seltnh.org/kimballreserve/
The route will be determined in advance and shared with participants two to three days prior to the event. This event is limited to 12 participants.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE
Difficulty – 🥾 (out of 3) | The trails at Kimball Reserve are mostly flat but do go over some uneven terrain. The hike will likely last between 1 to 1 ½ hours and will likely include a nice out and back extension hike going a little beyond the Kimball Reserve if time permits.

A SELT Walk in the Woods - August 2026
2026-08-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Tucker & French Family Forest
Join experienced SELT hike leader Bill McClure for a monthly series of walks throughout 2026.
In July, we will hike roughly all the trails at Tucker & French Family Forest. The Trails at Tucker & French Family Forest are mostly flat but do include some hills and uneven terrain. This hike is expected to cover 6.5 to 7 miles total.
More about Tucker & French Family Forest can be found at https://seltnh.org/tuckerfrench/
The route will be determined in advance and shared with participants two to three days prior to the event. This event is limited to 15 participants.

Registration Required: CLICK HERE
Difficulty – 🥾🥾 1/2 (out of 3)
