By Jim Cavan

The Seacoast is known for a lot of things: history, tourism, natural beauty and renowned cuisine being chief among them. But while many places might fit one or even a few of these descriptions, there aren’t many that encompass nearly all of what makes the region unique.

York’s Clay Hill Farm can claim just that.

Originally built in 1780 as a working farm, today Clay Hill stands as a 220-seat restaurant and special events venue nestled amidst acres of rolling lawns, protected coastal woodlands, and gorgeous gardens. From atop their garden-view decks can be seen charming waterfalls, gleaming pond, throngs of equally vibrant flowers and birds, and a majestic gazebo any bride would be thrilled to stand beneath.

Inside, a modern, locally-derived cuisine is prepared in a classic, distinctly New England setting – just a few of the qualities that led them to be voted #1 for weddings in romantic dining by the Seacoast Media Group.

But beneath the classically gleaming façade, borne out of equal parts history and Yankee luster, lies a decidedly modern – and green – attitude. One of the first businesses in Southern Maine to be certified as an Environmental Leader by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Clay Hill is as dedicated to promoting and advancing environmental awareness and stewardship as they are to plating a perfectly rare rib eye. In 1991, they became the first restaurant in the country to be certified as a wildlife habitat and bird sanctuary, making good on nearly two centuries of nurturing their often stunning surroundings.

Since then, Clay Hill’s green repertoire has grown every year. In 2008 they conducted their first Green Wedding Giveaway, a contest which lets couples from all over the country – and the world –submit “applications” to win an all expenses paid green wedding and honeymoon. Ranging from essays to video-logs, paintings to poems, songs to sculptures, the submissions are posted at Clay Hill’s website, where for nearly a month viewers can vote for their favorite submissions.

While Clay Hill’s inaugural giveaway in 2009 was a resounding success, owner Jennifer Lewis-McShera claims the 2010 entries and participation took it to the next level. “We had over 100 outstanding submissions this year,” says McSherra. “Most of them were from New England, but we had some from as far away as California and even South Korea.”

The Green Wedding Giveaway may have been their first and most high-profile green initiative, but Clay Hill’s Fall Eco-Fest – now just weeks away from its third installment on October 11th – is definitely their biggest happening. The autumn-themed outdoor market features artists, crafters, live music and local food from throughout the Seacoast, as well as art and photography contests for kids.

Clay Hill’s green-centered events have grown much that, this summer, they launched Eco-Reach, a sort of all-encompassing umbrella that includes the Green Wedding Giveaway, Eco-Fest, unplugged music nights, kids summer programs and chef fundraisers. According to McShera, Eco-Reach, while doubtless locally oriented, also harbors a broader ambition.

“What’s important is that all of the programs we have are as much about the community as they are the environment,” says McShera. “We can celebrate community defined by both physical proximity and philosophical camaraderie. We’re all green in some way, so encouraging individuals, couples, businesses and families to shout their unique shade of green to the world can encourage connectedness and a safe place to start on the road to greener living.”

Indeed, Clay Hill has made that very philosophy the centerpiece of their approach, celebrating the unique and varying ways that people and businesses can take up the mantle of green and “shout it to the world”, as their slogan exclaims.

But Clay Hill doesn’t just promote green initiatives or community involvement; they’re living those commitments more and more every day. From a diverse menu increasingly focused on local ingredients to improving their building’s efficiency to unique community outreach initiatives – Their Pay it Forward program awards a free dinner for two every night, with the catch being the winning couple must do a good deed in the community and share their experience – Clay Hill Farm is aiming to be known as much for their substance as they are for their undeniable looks and charm.

In an effort to further bolster their green credentials, in 2009 Clay Hill became one of the first area restaurants to join the Green Alliance, a Portsmouth-based “green business union” that helps certify and promote sustainability-minded businesses throughout the region. The unique organization helps member “Business Partners” with everything from marketing to event planning and promotion. Given how many green events Clay Hill has on its docket, the partnership made complete sense for GA Director Sarah Brown.

“We’ve been especially excited about working with Clay Hill,” says Brown. “Obviously you have their incredible green programs and sustainability efforts, the Green Wedding Giveaway – all those things. But they’re also our only Business Partner in York, which makes them unique. And just having such a gorgeous, classy restaurant that is New England to the core makes them an especially bright feather in our cap.”

Driving down a winding country road bearing the same name, you get a true sense for exactly how “tucked away” Clay Hill Farm really is. But when it comes to issues of sustainability, environmental stewardship and community involvement, there aren’t many businesses that are as in touch and closer to the action than Clay Hill Farm.