Wilderness Retreats & On-Site Helper Program

We invite you to consider a Wilderness Retreat at Anima’s river canyon sanctuary, an ancient place of power deep in the mountains of the enchanted Southwest… or to volunteer for the homestead helper on-site program

5 hrs. N.E. of the Tucson airport, 4 hrs. S.W. of Albuquerque

The Anima Sanctuary nests in a truly amazing spot, deep in the canyon-land wilderness of S.W. New Mexico on a lush restored botanical and wildlife sanctuary… and at the site of an ancient ruin which was until a thousand years ago the ritual center of the Sweet Medicine (Mogollon) peoples.   The river that courses through serves to encourage the growth of a phenomenal variety of plants including desert and mountain species, medicinal and edible.  For more information on the land, restoration, history and facilities, go to the:
About Anima Sanctuary Page

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Wilderness Retreats

Individuals and families can apply for a retreat of up to 2 weeks at a time, staying in a primitive riverside cabin and being served Loba’s amazing home-cooked dinners.  For more information and photos of the land, or for an application, please go to the website’s:
Anima Wilderness Retreats Page

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On-Site Homestead Helper Program:
With Loba
A 1 Month Long Wilderness Residency at The Anima Botanical & Wildlife Sanctuary

Applications are being accepted for On-Site Helper positions for all seasons – at this incredible remote wilderness inholding, the Anima Wilderness Sanctuary, 7 river crossings from the nearest pavement in the mountainous Gila Forest of S.W. New Mexico.  I (Loba) host enthused earthy folks who want to contribute on-site assistance while getting basic training in the elemental skills of wilderness homesteading.  Helpers are welcomed for a 1 month period, and we are actively screening for the right person or persons to enjoy a long-term or even permanent resident role.

We’ve hosted a large number of wonderfully excited and grateful helpers in the past couple years.  Their satisfaction came from embracing an opportunity to live primitively in a hand built cabin in a truly wild and sacred space, 7 river crossings from a road and beyond the reach of cell towers, encountering themselves in a deeper way as they assist with splitting wood, gathering wild foods and supporting what we do.  As one helper wrote us: “With teachers Kiva and Wolf putting in 12 to 16 hours a day on their computers in their work to help people and wildlands, we felt like our assisting you with the sanctuary and kitchen was our way helping make the healing books, magazine and conference possible.  I hope you agree.”  Indeed, we do…. and we sure do thank you!

Helpers can learn the fundamental elements of wilderness or rural homesteading including cooking with woodstoves, over campfires, in dutch overs, and in a beehive shaped Indian horno mud oven, as well as learn wild and whole foods preparation, some wildcrafting, structure maintenance and land restoration. Like the ancient Mogollon peoples who treated this bend in the river canyon as their sacred ceremonial “place of power,” guests benefit from the influence of the inspirited land even as they’re inspired to explore ways of benefiting the world.

Anima provides a wonderful hand built cabin to stay in, the riverside “Gifting Lodge” complete with propane stove, wood stove for heat, beds and kitchen area, with windows overlooking the forest, river and abundant wildlife. Organic, delicious and often wild foods are supplied and sometimes preprepared for Anima helpers. And note that during those periods when we are already feeding other helpers here, we may only able be able to take additional guests when they are able to make a contribution to food costs.

Helpers are asked to work only 6 hours per day, 6 days per week, including the day to day necessities of firewood gathering and chopping, structure and water system maintenance, food processing and preparation, seasonal wild foods gathering.  I provide the homestead instruction, and with the other members of this project so busy, it’s our young daughter Rhiannon and I who also provide any company.  Because many folks need more social interaction, we make it a point to try to schedule at least two and up to four helpers here at a time.

All helpers are welcome to bring a laptop and work on any of the original Anima Home Study Courses while here… for free.

Please make sure this is something you are really wanting, and that you can be present and open to the gifts.  I so want you to enjoy any time you might spend here!  If you feel drawn, you are invited to write me for the most recent Helper Application.

I look forward to hearing from you, and especially about you!

Love and wildness,
Loba

Please write us for the most recent Helper Application.  We look forward to hearing from you, and especially about you: mail@animacenter.org

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