The wood mulch we've been waiting for has finally started rolling in. This is a resource we're able to get for free from tree service companies when they're working in the area. We were promised some earlier this fall, but for some reason they ended up dumping it elsewhere. But now, our township is trimming the trees along all the area roads and has said they will bring the mulch from this project to us. Wood mulch is ...
We’ve been working on an earthworks project at the sanctuary to manage the annual flooding. We want to manage the water in such a way as to be able to store it for the dry season rather than simply draining it all away. Instead it will go through a system of little rain gardens and overflow into a one acre pond when it floods. If the pond gets too full there will be a spillway to allow ...
It seemed like it would be nice to share a colorful summertime photo, to remind us of warmer days right about now. This was in our pollinator garden last summer, and the poignancy of the butterfly going about its business with its frayed wings struck me as how many of us are feeling these days. What thoughts does it bring up for you? Is there anything you'd like to share?Many blessings to you from the Sanctuary,Jean~ Photo ...
Pictured above is part of the main access lane we were able to put in this year. Though we want to keep the majority of the area as natural as possible with only foot paths, we also needed to have a large enough trail to allow for a vehicle when necessary. Oh... and if you look closely, you might just see some coyote and rabbit tracks in this photo.~ Jean
Wishing you a very Happy New Year from Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary!
As we start the fresh new year of 2021, I would like to thank each of you for your incredible support of the vision and mission of Crossing Hedgerows Farm and Sanctuary. We could not exist without our community. For all the ways, large and small that you have contributed, it is very much appreciated. May this year bring us all many blessings and may we have a multitude of opportunities to share those blessings. May there be ...
Is it better for people to leave nature completely alone whenever possible? There's a common conception that nature would be better without humans. It's true that some of our activities are insanely more destructive than any other animal, but we also have an incredible power to do good and to help regeneration to occur. That's one of the things we're striving for here at the Sanctuary. There is a saying that knowledge without action is meaningless. So being ...
Continuing the theme of water, it's exciting to see that the "pond" is starting to ice over. Although it's still only the beginnings of the pond that we have planned, it's already a fairly significant body of water nevertheless. And it makes it really easy to envision what it will be like when it's finished. This week we had the survey done that was required by EGLE for us to continue with the work. EGLE is Michigan's Department ...
by Charles Mackay (1814 - 1889)A traveller on a dusty roadStrewed acorns on the lea:And one took root and sprouted up,And grew into a tree.Love sought its shade at evening-time,To breathe its early vows;And Age was pleased, in heights of noon,To bask beneath its boughs.The dormouse loved its dangling twigs,The birds sweet music bore --It stood a glory in its place,A blessing evermore.Oak tree at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary. Photo by Brennah Cavanaugh
“Beannacht / BlessingOn the day whenthe weight deadenson your shouldersand you stumble,may the clay danceto balance you.And when your eyesfreeze behindthe grey windowand the ghost of lossgets in to you,may a flock of colours,indigo, red, green,and azure bluecome to awaken in youa meadow of delight.When the canvas fraysin the currach of thoughtand a stain of oceanblackens beneath you,may there come across the watersa path of yellow moonlightto bring you safely home.May the nourishment of the earth be ...
The Cavanaugh house and farm sits on a 5 acre parcel of land, and then we have another separate parcel of 13 acres that has been designated as the Sanctuary land. We (Cavanaughs) don't get out to walk the entire Sanctuary parcel every day, but we try to make a round at least once a week to the majority of it. No two walks are ever the same (as those who enjoy taking nature walks are certainly ...
The north branch of the Swan Creek flows through Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary and continues all the way to Lake Erie. Swan Creek is Eala Sruthán in Gaelic. We originally had used that name for our farm, but nobody could pronounce it, so we eventually settled on Crossing Hedgerows. But to us (the Cavanaughs), the creek is still Eala Sruthán. This is how it looks today with the new fallen snow and rabbit prints all along the edge. Recently ...