Natural Path Sanctuary

06/11/2026

GOOD NEWS! STORM DAMAGE UPDATE - All trails in the cemetery are now open. Please still be careful and watch for downed trees, hanging branches, and holes/ruts in the trails. We will continue cleaning up for quite a while!

06/08/2026

The native garden planting event on May 16 was an overwhelming success and it couldn't have happened without the generous, deeply committed volunteers who were available to help. Thank you for giving your time, energy, and hearts to this new garden space at Natural Path Sanctuary.

A special thank you to Deb Klein for leading us in meditation https://chrysanthemumreiki.com/ and to Sarah Savage for sharing her knowledge and experience working with native plants https://tendnativeplants.com/

Thank you to all who donated through the Plant Dane Native Plant Program. And thank you to board members, Ashley and Jacob Webster, Karen Reppen, and Jayne Squirrell for picking up and delivering the 780 plants!

02/17/2026

Native plants add beauty and provide important ecosystem services such as habitat for local wildlife and improved water quality. Grow native plants or donate funds to purchase native plants for community and school projects.

Check out the Plant Dane Native Plant sale and consider donating to Natural Path Sanctuary to grow a native plant garden in the cemetery. This new Native Garden site will be an education and engagement resource, providing a regenerative, sustainable source of seeds for grave plantings.

It’s easy to donate! 1) https://ripple-effects.com/Order/Donate, 2) In the donation section, select “NATURAL PATH SANCTUARY" from the Project Drop-down menu, and 3) choose the number of plants you’d like to donate. Plants cost $3/each and must be ordered in multiples of 4. The deadline to donate to our project is March 17th.

Now accepting Plant Dane native plant orders! Consider donating to local school and community native garden projects around Dane County when placing your order. Learn more at: https://ripple-effects.com/Plant-Dane

02/05/2026

Help Natural Path Sanctuary as we begin to grow a native plant garden in the cemetery. This new Native Garden site will be an education and engagement resource, providing a regenerative, sustainable source of seeds for grave plantings.

We invite you to donate plants to our Natural Path Sanctuary garden through the Plant Dane Native Plant Program. It’s easy! 1) https://ripple-effects.com/Order/Donate, 2) In the donation section, select “NATURAL PATH SANCTUARY" from the Project Drop-down menu, and 3) choose the number of plants you’d like to donate. Plants cost $3/each and must be ordered in multiples of 4. The deadline to donate to our project is March 17th. Thanks for helping to make our garden a reality!

01/21/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BkAQxdPFq/

​ Mary Woodsen, journalist, conservation burial pioneer, and friend, died November 4, 2025, at age 77. The following is a remembrance of this gentle soul, her contribution to the spread of natural...

01/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ANZ4xDH4R/

What if your body could nourish the land long after you’re gone?

01/02/2026

Lee Webster is one of the top experts in the field of Green Burial practices. She is the author of many valuable resources on this topic and I highly commend her committment to helping to provide accurate and important information.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ub6j69scW/

The greenest choice turns out to be the simplest one.

12/15/2025

Looking Ahead: A Note from Shedd and Caroline Farley

After many meaningful years at the Farley Center, we wanted to share that we will both be retiring from our roles on December 31, 2025.

This chapter has meant so much to us and we hold deep gratitude for everyone who has stood with us along the way. What has made the Farley Center so special are the people — those who volunteered their time, donated resources, showed up for events, supported our programs and continually shared compassion and kindness. You created the warmth, community and sense of purpose that shaped our work.

Your belief in the values of peace, justice, and sustainability has helped the Farley Center grow into the vibrant and inspiring place it is today. Carrying forward the vision of Linda and Gene — and their belief that community can create lasting change — has guided us every day. We have done our best to honor that legacy through programs, partnerships, events and caring for the land.

As we prepare to step into retirement, our hearts are full. We look forward to seeing how the Farley Center continues to progress, evolve and flourish in the years ahead — rooted in Linda and Gene’s vision and strengthened by the remarkable community that surrounds it.

Thank you for the memories, the collaboration and the many moments of joy and connection. We will always hold this place, and all of you, close.

With deep appreciation,
Shedd and Caroline Farley

Photo credit to Barry Sherbeck

12/13/2025

Every first Monday of the month, the staff meets at noon to review current work, upcoming plans and address questions or concerns. These meetings have followed a steady rhythm throughout the year, including a simple tradition of sharing lunch together.

Closing out 2025 with the staff doing the day-to-day work of caring for the land, the programs and the community.

Standing: Seth Riley- Farley Center Farm Manager
Shedd Farley - Farley Center Director
Caroline Tu Farley - Farley Center Program Director
Sitting: Dustin Duve - Natural Path Sanctuary Director
Maggie Balistreri - Natural Path Sanctuary Cemetery Asst.
Lindsey Lund - Farley Center Office Manager

12/1/25