Flora, News
Preserving Natural Habitat
In my last post, I talked about the construction plans for the Sanctuary. I want to make clear that this is part of a larger plan that allows for many wild spaces, much of which will not be touched by the construction at all. The area where we are creating the pond, along with the future building site and food forest, includes about five acres. It was all a cultivated farm field with very degraded and compacted soil when the Cavanaughs purchased the land, and has been greatly restored already since then. There are another fifteen that will be left completely undisturbed (five of that which was also a cultivated farm field). Even within the construction area, once it is done, it will allow for abundance for both humans and wildlife.
witch hazel flowers in the woods by Brennah Cavanaugh Photography LLC
The photo I have included is of witch hazel found in the woods of the Sanctuary. Witch hazel is an amazing plant that blossoms late in the fall in our climate (usually in October or November here). We have an incredible variety of wildlife – flora, fauna, and insects at the Sanctuary. Our goal is to protect this wild abundance while allowing our members a place to connect with these beings in all their glory.
We’re so excited to share this with all of you! Please continue to spread the word to others who might be interested.
Bright Blessings,
Jean
Photo by Brennah Cavanaugh Photography
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Written by : Jean Cavanaugh
Jean Cavanaugh is the founder and steward of Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, established in 2019 as a living, learning community devoted to reconnecting people with the wisdom of nature, the sacred order of creation, and the presence of Christ within all life. Her work brings together spiritual formation, ecological stewardship, ancestral wisdom, and hands-on community practice.
Through years of practical work on the land, study of the Mysteries, and the healing of her own severe health challenges through natural methods, Jean has come to recognize God’s hand at work throughout creation. Her teachings, rooted in the Mystery School tradition and Christian gnosis, explore how the patterns of heaven, earth, and the human body reveal the way back to divine presence, peace, and inner strength.
Jean leads with honesty, integrity, and a deeply welcoming spirit, inviting others to let go of inherited assumptions and rediscover truth through lived experience and embodied understanding. She works with all ages—from preschoolers to elders—offering programs and celebrations that emphasize direct engagement with nature, music, story, homesteading skills, and in-person community.
She and her family live at the 21-acre Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, where daily life reflects a commitment to simplicity, beauty, and harmony with the land. The sanctuary includes gardens, woodland trails, a seasonal creek, gathering circles, and spaces designed to nourish both people and wildlife. Jean is especially passionate about creating environments that are grounding, beautiful, and spiritually restorative.
Through her writing and teaching, Jean encourages others to know themselves, know creation, and recognize Christ as the living truth present within and around us—always inviting a return to love, beauty, and the sacred order of life.
