Practice at Pepperwood Preserve
Dharma Heart Zen is honored to invite you to a day of practice at Pepperwood Preserve. Situated on a ridgeline of the Mayacamas Mountains, and lying within the traditional homeland of the Wappo People, the 3200-acre reserve is refuge for over 900 species of plants and animals and has a long legacy and relationship to ancestral wisdom.
Touching the Earth, a ritual from the Thich Nhat Hanh tradition, opens us to intimate relationship with the Earth and her many Beings. Through this practice, we affirm and awaken to our lives as a continuation of nature’s forces. Sitting and walking together on ancestral ground becomes Refuge and Engaged Activity in these difficult times— Please join us.
Carpooling is encouraged. We will meet at the Dwight Center parking lot at 9:30 to shuttle up to the Bechtel House retreat location.
REGISTRATION AND DONATION
REGISTRATION FORM
Contact Susan Husari at susari58@gmail.com for assistance.
DONATE
Suggested donation for the day is $40-$60.
Dana is always received with gratitude. No one is ever turned away.
If you're able to contribute more, it helps to support the Sangha.
Please bring:
Bag lunch and water bottle
Personal meditation cushions, benches and/or folding camp chair for sitting
Mat for sitting directly on the ground if desired
Layered clothing for changes in temperature
Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
Hiking shoes and socks or lightweight shoes for walking meditation on wooden deck
Walking sticks if desired for uneven terrain
DIRECTIONS
Pepperwood Preserve is located at 2130 Pepperwood Preserve Road in Santa Rosa, CA
Driving Directions from Highway 101:
Take the River Road/Guerneville exit.
Turn east onto Mark West Springs Road and head towards Calistoga.
Turn left onto Porter Creek Road at the Mark West Lodge.
Continue for 1.6 miles to the Franz Valley Road turnoff.
Turn onto Franz Valley Road, just past Safari West.
Proceed approximately one mile up Franz Valley Road.
Look for the Pepperwood sign and the turnoff for Pepperwood Preserve Road on your left, just before the final crest of the hill.
Follow signs to the Dwight Center
Park at the Dwight Center, more parking available beyond first lot
ABOUT PEPPERWOOD PRESERVE
Located in northeastern Santa Rosa in the Mayacama Mountains, Pepperwood Preserve functions as a sentinel site research station, dedicated to the collection of long-term ecological data, hosting researchers from around the world. Activities also include art exhibitions, educational programming for all ages, regenerative agriculture practices that utilize cattle, and land stewardship informed by both Western science and Indigenous ecological knowledge.
"Pepperwood's reserve lies within the traditional homeland of the Wappo people. We respect and honor past, present, and future generations of Wappo and their continued connection to this land. We are grateful for the opportunity to gather in this beautiful place and we give our respect to its first inhabitants."
Authored by Clint McKay (Pomo, Wappo, Wintun)
BECHTEL HOUSE RETREAT SPACE
BECHTEL HOUSE RETREAT SPACE
ROAD BELOW BECHTEL HOUSE
TURTLE POND
PACIFIC POND TURTLE
COYOTE- CREDIT: PEPPERWOOD PRESERVE, IAN NELSON