When SELT acquired the 237-acre Burley Farms and circa 1790 John Prescott Chase Farmhouse in 2015, we envisioned it as our future home: a place to inspire the public about conservation and a chance to revitalize a working farm.
After years of careful deliberation, study, and planning, SELT is proud to share its vision for The Mathey Center for People and Nature at Burley Farms. Located in Epping at the center of SELT’s service area, the Mathey Center for People and Nature will serve as SELT's permanent headquarters, featuring a super-efficient building design as well as on-site solar energy production.
This plan establishes Burley Farms and the Lamprey River Greenway as SELT’s hub for community-based conservation, with:
- Events led by SELT and other community groups
- A working farm growing local food
- A historic18th century farmhouse renovated for workforce housing
- A public trail system sharing nearly 1,000 acres of woods and fields along the Lamprey River.
We know that personal connections to conserved lands – whether through recreation, events, or locally-grown produce – will be critical to inspiring future generations to forever safeguard the lands we’ve worked diligently to protect.
You can become a founding member of this generational project! Give today and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar with the Mathey Matching Challenge. Click here to give.
