Moonflower Meadows: The World is Quiet Here

The Future Home of Friends of the Forest
...where the magick of nature will be celebrated every day

Who is Friends of the Forest?

Friends of the Forest is a remarkable nonprofit organization that has made a significant impact in Middlesex County, Connecticut. Dedicated to providing enriching, earth-centered programs for women and girls, our 501(c)(3) organization has successfully delivered over 90 sold-out engaging, sensory immersion experiences in nature since June of 2022. Our mission is to help women and adolescent girls cultivate a healing reconnection with our natural world by incorporating creativity, connection with nature, mindfulness, personal development, and equine-inspired wisdom.

As an inclusive space for women who wish to learn more about the more-than-human world and develop a deeper connection with Mother Nature, Friends of the Forest has become a valuable community resource. Over 1900 women from 83 towns in Connecticut and five towns in New York have attended our events. The fact that another 300 were on our waitlist speaks volumes about the demand for our programs.

However, despite our success and popularity, Friends of the Forest faces a significant challenge – we are in need of a permanent home to continue our mission effectively. Without a dedicated space to operate from, it becomes increasingly difficult for us to plan and execute our programs efficiently.

Currently, we rely on rented spaces or outdoor locations for our activities. While these options have served us well so far, they come with limitations. Having a dedicated space will enable us to offer year-round programs regardless of weather conditions or availability of rental/private spaces.

Furthermore, a permanent home will enhance the sense of community among our participants. It will be a place where women and girls can gather regularly to connect with nature and each other. The familiarity of a consistent location fosters stronger relationships and encourages regular attendance.

In addition, having our own space will enable us to create customized facilities that cater specifically to the needs of our programs. We can design classrooms, meditation areas, gardens, and other features that align with our mission. This level of personalization will greatly enhance the overall experience for participants and help them deepen their connectedness to the web of all things.

To make this dream a reality, we need to find a permanent home to lease/purchase option. This permanent home will serve as a sanctuary for women and girls seeking enrichment through earth-centered programs.

Moonflower Meadows represents an opportunity to create something truly special—a farmhouse on protected land that serves as both an educational center and a sanctuary for those seeking solace in nature. Let us work together to turn this vision into reality!

Our Big Vision

Moonflower Meadows will be the name of the permanent home to Friends of the Forest.

Why a Moonflower?

The beautiful and enchanting Moonflower is a night-blooming flower associated with dreaminess, mystery, and enlightenment.

Moonflowers are also associated with femininity and the moon. Their nocturnal blooms are thought to evoke a sense of otherworldliness and enchantment. In some spiritual traditions, the moonflower represents spiritual enlightenment or the awakening of the soul.

With bright white flowers that only bloom at night, the moonflower is often seen as a symbol of guidance as they help illuminate our paths. They are a wonderful symbol of our souls' growth potential when faced with challenging periods in our lives. Every woman has her own Moonflower story of growth and transformation from a dark time.

Moonflower Meadows will be a Sanctuary for Healing

For Women…

Moonflower Meadows will be a sacred and safe sanctuary that allows women to return to their intuitive relationship with nature. Here, women can come as they are to immerse in any of Friends of the Forest's programs—a place to press pause from the struggles of everyday life to find personal renewal, healing, balance, joy, and peace. There are no judgments or expectations. Sharing is encouraged. Laughter is embraced. Tears are welcome.

For Adolescent Girls

Adolescence, the age range between 10-19, is known as the decade of development and is filled with key transitions for girls. Moonflower Meadows will be a physically and emotionally supportive, creative environment for adolescent girls to come together for personal growth and healing—helping to build their self-confidence, communication skills, resilience, self-awareness, and a love and respect for the earth. Through caring relationships with trusted mentors, we will help foster social networks for girls in a safe and secure environment where they can meet and feel comfortable sharing with others. Moonflower Meadows is a judgment-free space where girls can let their guard down, talk freely without fear of being judged, ignored, or shut down, and truly be themselves.

For Our More Than Human Friends

At the core of our mission, we honor the sacredness of all life and walk the path of beauty, love, and gratitude in balance with our natural world. This sanctuary will serve as a place for healing and protection for our more-than-human friends with whom we share a special bond. This land will be a protected, biodynamic landscape rich with native nectar and pollen sources—providing critical shelter, sustenance, and migration space for butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other critical ecosystem pollinators. We aim to provide a sanctuary where wildlife, pollinators, medicinal herbs, trees, and plants are held sacred. Caretakers and guests of Moonflower Meadows will care for our more-than-human friends with a sense of heart-centered reverence in relationship to the wildlife and plants. In this sanctuary, pollinators and wildlife will find a space free of human-caused stressors, filled with abundant food and medicine for all to share.

What Does a Permanent Home Look Like?

Our vision is to find an ideal farmhouse nestled on 3-6+/- acres of land, surrounded by protected forests. This idyllic setting would serve as the perfect location for Friends of the Forest, offering a physical structure that would cater to various needs and activities. By creating Moonflower Meadows according to this vision, we can offer an inviting space where individuals can connect with nature while engaging in various activities that promote personal growth and well-being. It will become a hub for learning, sharing knowledge, fostering connections among like-minded individuals who value nature's beauty and its healing powers.

1. One major part of Moonflower Meadows would be the physical structure itself, which would act as the heart of Friends of the Forest. With its spacious rooms and cozy atmosphere, it would provide an ideal space for our classes and gatherings. Whether it's a small book club meeting or a larger art class, this farmhouse will have enough room to accommodate all.

   • The inclusion of a kitchen in this farmhouse is crucial as it opens up endless possibilities for our programming. Community dinners can be organized to bring people together and foster a sense of community. Herbalism classes and forest-to-table cooking classes can also be conducted here, allowing individuals to learn about nature's bounty and how to incorporate it into their daily lives.

   • Additionally, smaller rooms within the farmhouse will serve practical purposes such as administrative office/storage space. This will ensure that everything is organized efficiently and easily accessible when needed. Moreover, having a private consultation room will provide teachers with a dedicated space for their personal practice such as reiki sessions, counseling, Ayurvedic consultations, etc.

2. The sacred land will be used to offer respite as well as teach our participants about the importance of sustainability through various activities and programs. Our plan for the land is to:

   • Create at least half an acre for a protected wildflower meadow; we not only protect and sustain our native wildlife but also provide women with a peaceful sanctuary where they can find solace, connect with their inner selves, and process their emotions. Nature has long been recognized as a healing force, offering tranquility and rejuvenation to those who seek it. By dedicating this portion of land to a wildflower meadow, we provide a safe haven for women to escape the pressures of daily life and immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. Furthermore, this meadow will serve as an educational tool in teaching our participants about sustainability. By protecting native wildlife habitats, we contribute to the preservation of biodiversity in our ecosystem. Our participants will learn about the interconnectedness of all living beings and how their actions can impact the delicate balance of nature.

   • Create a potager learning garden and an apothecary garden to show an attractive method of growing fresh, nutritious food and herbs without using chemicals, while still maintaining the beauty of an ornamental garden. This approach combines the practicality of a vegetable garden with the aesthetics of a flower garden, resulting in a harmonious and visually appealing space. With careful planning and selection of plants, we can create visually stunning spaces that are also environmentally friendly and promote healthy living.

     • A potager learning garden is designed to be both functional and beautiful. It incorporates raised beds or well-defined borders for growing vegetables, fruits, and herbs. These beds are arranged in geometric patterns or symmetrical layouts to create an organized and pleasing visual effect. By intermixing different types of plants, such as colorful flowers with edible greens, the potager learning garden becomes a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

     • Similarly, an apothecary garden focuses on cultivating medicinal herbs that can be used for various health purposes. This type of garden not only provides fresh ingredients for natural remedies but also adds charm and fragrance to any landscape. By carefully selecting plants with healing properties, such as lavender for relaxation or chamomile for soothing digestion, an apothecary garden becomes a sanctuary for both physical and mental well-being.

   • To keep a small stable as the forever home to either two rescue donkeys/horses for our equine-inspired mindfulness programs. The benefits of incorporating animals into mindfulness practices are well-documented, and we believe that having these rescue animals will greatly enhance the effectiveness of our programs. Furthermore, working with rescue animals aligns perfectly with our mission of compassion and empathy. By giving these neglected or abused animals a safe and loving forever home, we are not only helping them heal but also teaching our participants valuable lessons about kindness and second chances. This creates a powerful connection between humans and animals that can foster personal growth and self-reflection.

   • We will create natural pathways through part of the forest for our forest bathing walks and meditation walks; these natural pathways can also be used for other reflective activities, such as journaling or simply sitting quietly amidst the trees. Nature has a way of inspiring creativity and providing a sense of tranquility that is often lacking in our modern lives. Creating these pathways requires careful planning to ensure minimal disruption to the existing ecosystem. It is important to strike a balance between accessibility for visitors while preserving the natural beauty of the forest.

   By combining respite with education on sustainability, we are creating a holistic experience that fosters personal growth while also promoting environmental consciousness. Participants will not only leave feeling refreshed but also equipped with the knowledge and tools to make sustainable choices in their own lives.