In 2015, SELT worked with the Harvey family to conserve 1,114 acres of the family’s land in the rural northwest corner of Epping and southern Nottingham. This land is a key parcel in SELT’s larger vision of connecting Pawtuckaway State Park to Great Bay through a corridor of conservation lands and trails.

Harvey’s Kennard Hill Forest is big unto itself, but lies within a larger landscape of nearly 5,000 acres of unfragmented lands. This primarily hemlock-hardwood-pine forest intermingled with beaver ponds and wetlands filters clean water to the north and Pawtuckaway River, and tributaries to the Wild and Scenic Lamprey River.

And the broad landscape is recognized statewide for its high-quality habitat supporting common and uncommon species, from great blue herons to bobcat.

The forest remains private property, owned by the Harvey family and is permanently protected by a conservation easement held by SELT and NH Fish and Game. This land is well-regarded by hunters and cross-country skiers. Thanks to the Harvey family’s willingness to allow for a public trail system maintained by SELT, the greater public can enjoy the land through the trails that wind through the woods.

And for those looking for an epic adventure, Harvey’s Kennard Hill Forest sits adjacent to 800+ acres of SELT-owned land, so outdoor enthusiasts can explore the forests, fields, and wetlands along the Pawtuckaway River.