JGS Website- About Us

Through transformative retreats and
artist residencies, JGS provides spaces
for individuals to unplug, reconnect
with nature, and engage in creative
exploration. These experiences foster
mental well-being and promote
personal growth in a nurturing,
natural setting.

JGS promotes environmental
stewardship by offering immersive
educational workshops and hands-on
sustainable practices, fostering a
deeper understanding and
commitment to protecting nature.
Participants engage in permaculture,
wildlife conservation, and
sustainability principles. Artists will
integrate sustainability into their
work, amplifying awareness through
their create projects.

Environmental
Stewardship

& Education

Sustainable
Development

& Innovative
Design

JGS integrates sustainable
development principles, blending
natural spaces with innovative, eco-
friendly design. From off-grid cabins to
permaculture gardens, the sanctuary
provides models for low-impact living
that others can replicate.

Community
Connection

& Civic
Responsibility

Commitment to
Artistic

Growth &
Empowerment

JGS fosters a strong sense of place and
community through shared experiences,
collaborative spaces, and a commitment
to sustainable development. Workshops
and public events encourage civic
responsibility, inspiring participants to
take an active role in shaping their local
environments. We are committed to
creating an inclusive environment
where people from diverse backgrounds
can connect through nature, art, and
environmental advocacy.

JGS provides a nurturing environment
where artists can thrive through
residencies, mentorships, and
collaborative opportunities. Artists
are empowered to explore new
mediums, techniques, and ideas in a
supportive, resource-rich setting.

Kerri is an accomplished environmental educator and advocate with a
BA in Environmental Sciences and a minor in Biology from the
University of North Carolina Greensboro, alongside an Associate’s
Degree in Business Administration from Wake Technical Community
College. A Summa Cum Laude graduate and recipient of the Provost
Student Excellence Award, she also holds certifications in Leadership,
Entrepreneurship, and Business Core.

At Juniper Grove Sanctuary, Kerri leads sustainability initiatives and
community engagement programs, blending her deep connection to
nature with a commitment to fostering environmental stewardship.
Her extensive experience includes leading urban ecology research
projects, securing significant grant funding, and implementing
impactful sustainability policies. In May 2025, she completed her first
of 4 certifications of Indigenous Reconciliation Education through
Outdoor Learning School and Reconciliation Education. This program
focuses on integrating Indigenous knowledge and seasonal cycles into
environmental education, aligning with Kerri’s goal of honoring North
America’s Indigenous histories and values. She is currently pursuing
her Environmental Education Certification through the Environmental
Educators of North Carolina. Additionally, she is working toward
ArcGIS Pro certification to enhance her expertise in environmental
mapping and spatial analysis.

As a storyteller, Kerri contributed to Once Upon No Time, the first
book in the Empowerment Poetry Press Anthology series,

Co-Founder; Sustainability & Environmental Engagement Director

Kerri Rosato

co-authoring a nature-inspired poetry book. This work invites readers to reconnect with nature, fostering a love for the
environment by reflecting on past moments and inspiring future connections. With over 12 years in the veterinary field and
leadership roles in FFA at the local, state, and national levels, Kerri has taught leadership and communication skills to students
across New England. She is passionate about supporting teen development during pivotal life stages, a cornerstone of her work
in Juniper Grove Sanctuary’s teen and adult workshops.

Outside of her professional life, Kerri is a devoted mother of three and a caretaker of five animals. She enjoys outdoor
recreation, photography, reading, writing, horror movies, and video games—pursuits that reflect her passion for nurturing
both the natural world and the communities within it.

MJ Coppola is a published poet, storyteller, podcaster, and
mental wellness warrior with a passion for empowering others.
Living by the quote “We are all just walking each other home” by
Ram Dass, MJ believes in creating spaces where everyone can
access the support needed for their spiritual awakenings and
dreams. She coaches others to discover their inner creative
warrior and provides an incredible wealth of resources for mental
wellness and creative mindset.

Equal parts quirky and genuine, MJ brings authenticity and a
dash of 90s skater flair to everything she does. A New England
native, her literary journey began in her early years eventually
leading to the publication of her first book, Demons Cry Too in
2022, and her second poetry collection, Learning the Grey Void in
2023. MJ's latest project is a collaboration with two remarkable
women to produce the first Empoweress Poetry Press anthology
in 2024, Once Upon No Time, featuring empowering poets and
short stories, including her own work.

MJ is the voice behind the podcast Mirrored Wellness & The
Creative Mirror, and she co-hosts the mini-series podcast RNTKY,
diving into crucial topics such as depression. Leveraging her
Accounting degree and expertise in Business Management and
Operations from her 15-plus years in banking and finance, she
excels at helping women entrepreneurs, creatives, and spiritual
healers build, scale, and sustain their businesses. As co-owner and
Director of Artists and Residency at Juniper Grove Sanctuary, MJ
pours her passion into cultivating a legacy of sustainable living
and artistic innovation for future generations.

Co-Founder; Artists in Residence Engagement Director

MJ Coppola

Get in touch or follow us on social media.

555 Fayetteville Street Suite 300

Raleigh, NC 27601

Mailing Address

Email Us

Juniper Grove

-Sanctuary-

Amplifying Artistic Voices

Empowering Environmental Stewardship

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Juniper Grove Sanctuary (JGS) is women-owned and LGBTQ+ owned