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Edges in ecosystems are exciting places. They allow for the biggest variety of life. On the edge of a forest where it is next to a meadow, the meadow life and the forest life co-exist, as well as species that thrive only along that edge. At the edge of a pond, the water creatures co-exist with the plant life growing next to the pond. And some plants and animals, such as reeds and amphibians, live only in these watery edges. Another example of an edge is a boulder in a field where the grass grows thicker next to the boulder, and birds and other creatures nest there.
The value of edges is also found in hedgerows. Hedgerows are a traditional part of farms that many people have forgotten. Besides windbreaks, hedgerows serve as edges for a variety of wildlife habitat, a filter for water, natural fencing, barriers to keep out pollutants, and they add visual interest and beauty to the landscape.
Although our land has transitioned to being less about hedgerows and fields, and more about edges of various bio-regions, crossing hedgerows evokes a feeling of community coming together – people leaving their homes to cross through the hedgerows and meet at the Sanctuary. It also evokes the feeling of movement of pollinators and wildlife moving through the edges and hedgerows. Even though we may not always see them, we know they are there.
These concepts may spark other feelings and meanings for you as you now see the alchemy of edges in nature. And you may also begin to take greater notice of the abundance created in these spaces.
Many Blessings to you from Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary,
Jean
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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.
