Fauna, Flora, Musings
Portrait Gallery
A recurring theme that is emerging in these posts is the portrait gallery. I occasionally select some of Brennah’s photos (with her permission) which highlight the inhabitants of the Farm and Sanctuary. Brennah captures the magic of each of her subjects exquisitely and you are often the first to see her most recent work.
A young Kildeer next to the pond
Tiger Swallowtail butterfly on Teasel plant
A true bug nymph of some sort (many insects are not actually true bugs)
Another view of the bug nymph
House Finch on Cedar Tree
Lounging Rabbit
Viceroy butterfly on a wild grape leaf
Trevor in the window
At CHFS, we believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all creatures and strive to create balance and harmony for all. Sometimes plants, insects, or other wildlife are considered invasive or to be pests, but oftentimes they have come to a place because of some imbalance in the system.
Designing as much diversity into the system as possible will often nudge those problems towards self-correction. And sometimes those “invasives” are simply hardworking immigrants who have come to do a job, as Geoff Lawton likes to say. This job is generally to fill a niche and repair the soil or some other disruption to the ecosystem. Occasionally strong action needs to be taken, but oftentimes, allowing for rewilding is the best way to bring it into balance.
Peace and Love from the Sanctuary,
Jean
Photos 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.
