Hello from CHS Farm on this frigid day! Though it is quite cold (imagine that in February in Michigan!), the chickens are doing well and staying warm. I thought you all might enjoy a video to see our set-up of how we keep the coop warm in the winter, yet we built it to be adaptable for also keeping it cool in the summer. This is what permaculture design is all about ...creating harmonious spaces that work ...
🦋 These are a few of the wildflowers and some of the scenery currently at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary. There has been such a variety of butterflies, bees, insects, pollinators, birds, and wildlife this year… it has been incredible.  ironweed  evening primrose  monarch butterfly  boneset  🦋 Inviting in so much diversity to our ecosystem over the years has truly paid off. We have done very ...
As we come to the close of this year, I want to thank all who have supported our beautiful Sanctuary this year. Here are a few photos that Brennah took (and identified) recently at Crossing Hedgerows. Oftentimes the small and inconspicuous are overlooked and under appreciated, but what important roles they each play in the ecosystem.  Wild geranium leaves  Liverwort (probably fringed treewort)  Bonfire moss  Dandelion ...
Moving forward with EGLEs requirements, yesterday we had a wetland specialist come out to do a survey, which will be part of what we will be submitting for the permit process. We are doing our best throughout this process to show EGLE that our intent is for land regeneration, as well as for giving opportunities for the public to experience and learn from the restored land. (EGLE is the State of Michigan's department of Environment, Great Lakes, ...
Recently I mentioned that we have been in the process of assessing where we're at with things at Crossing Hedgerows. This summer's flood was one of the reasons for that, with it putting us out of commission for quite some time. It is the worst flood we have had, and caused us to really look at the feasibility of our plans and the design we've been working towards for the land. Â Â Along with the flood, ...
Sunrise - July 1st, 2023: A distinctive purple glow over the stone circleAs we head into July, I want to thank you all for your continued support of Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary. Though we haven't been having as many events this year, the land continues to heal and is teaming with ever more life. Sometimes the bird song is almost deafening around here, and the varieties of insects, and animals passing through are too many to list. Yet ...
On Monday I had the opportunity to speak at a public meeting of County Drain Commissioners for Wayne, Monroe, and Washtenaw counties regarding the clearing of the North Branch of the Swan Creek. This is the creek which runs through the Sanctuary land, eventually emptying into Lake Erie. The creek runs through these three counties, and the commissioners were asking for public comment from the land owners whose properties would be affected by a proposal to clear ...
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 ...
I'd like to highlight in my coming posts some of the many forest crops we have at the Sanctuary. Many we have planted around the Cavanaugh homestead. Others have been planted by birds, wind, and the ways of Mother Nature and we have allowed them to flourish. And some were on the land already when we arrived. The Shagbark Hickory is one in the last category. Hickory trees do not produce nuts every year, so one has to ...