It’s the end of June and a summer heat wave has descended upon New Hampshire. You take refuge in the shade of a large beech tree, resting on a Leopold bench that is conveniently placed on the trail for explorers to catch their breath and take in the view.
You gaze into the distance, at the expanse of Burley Farms in Epping. The humidity manufactures a shimmering mirage; you can almost see the dewpoint hanging in the air, thickening the horizon like a broth.
Oh well. It beats frost heaves.
Your sight is drawn to the beehive of construction activity that is happening just a few hundred yards away. With the 18th century John P. Chase Farmhouse overlooking from its hillside perch, across the driveway the bones of a building’s framework begin to take shape.
Construction workers and contractors, clad in white hard-hats, move throughout the site, banging away with hammers, directing heavy equipment, and occasionally dousing the dirt road with well-water to keep the dust from swirling when trucks pass through.
It’s happening.
Pouring the foundation for The Mathey Center for People and Nature
After seven years of planning, fundraising, and marshaling the will and the resources of the region, construction of The Mathey Center for People and Nature began in earnest at Burley Farms in Epping.
Named after Nan and George Mathey, the Center will become the future home for SELT as well as a regional destination for conservation and community. Last year Nan Mathey gave a transformational seven-figure gift to support this generational project.
Construction kicked off late May and is scheduled to run through the fall, with occupancy targeted for spring of 2022. To date, the groundwork has been the focus, highlighted by excavation of the building site (the dirt churned and sifted to make high-quality loam that will be repurposed as planting soil for grass and flowers around the perimeter of the building), prepping the parking lot, and pouring the footings and foundation that will give rise to the new construction.
Speaking of groundwork, it is impossible to witness this the construction and not think of the groundwork that was laid by a group of passionate, committed people to kickstart this vision. The SELT Board Members who grasped the importance of moving SELT in this direction; the giving pioneers - Linda McGivern, Joanie Pratt, and Sam Reid - who were the earliest donors; the generous supporters of the Pratt Family Fund, who raised over $400,000 to honor Joanie's late husband Charlie, an amazing naturalist, teacher, and human being; our business friends who purchased CDFA tax credits to help realize this vision; and, of course. those who are giving now to support the Center through the Mathey Center Matching Challenge.
Once finished, the Mathey Center at Burley Farms will not just house SELT’s offices - there will be community meeting room space for local organizations to use, capacity for nature-based education and engagement, outdoor recreation opportunities, a working farm, and affordable workforce housing, located in the 18th century John P. Chase Farmhouse, which will begin the renovation process in the coming months.
You exhale. Sweat has already started to bead on your brow, shade or no shade. So, you might as well get moving if you’re going to perspire. You stand up, stretch your arms, cast one more glance at the transformation that is happening in the distance, and continue with your afternoon trail walk.
There’s still a way to go - but the destination is within sight.
