Annette Naber, Ph.D.
Originally from Germany, Annette has lived in the US for over 40 years and has traveled extensively. After retiring from a career as a clinical psychologist in the Washington DC area, she now offers life coaching, workshops and retreats. Tending to organic gardens on her farm she continues to study traditional ways of growing and preparing foods, using natural materials in creating products and living spaces that are both beautiful and functional, using plants for cosmetic, medicinal, and culinary purposes, and applying permaculture principles to create a more sustainable way of life. Her interest and experience in holistic living are inevitably interwoven with all of her services.
Annette is also a photographer and writer. Many of her photographs and photo essays are featured on her blogs Seasons of a Wild Life and Beauty Along the Road. Her first book, Seasons of a Wild Life, was published in 2024. Learn more on her author website.
Annette and Dan Kauffman
Annette and her husband Dan designed and built a solar-powered, energy-efficient home and the edible landscape and organic gardens on their 58-acre property. Dan is an avid motorcyclist and leads guided motorcycle tours through the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia. He has been a student of yoga, qigong and other movement modalities for many decades. He teaches his own unique fusion of these healing movements and offers individual healing sessions to help people regain the pleasure of pain-free, functional movement.
Emerald Mountain Sanctuary
Emerald Mountain Sanctuary consists of 58-acres of pastures, forest, and a few small, seasonal ponds. Hiking paths and sitting areas for wildlife observation and nature contemplation are spread across the entire property.
Our conference center can accommodate up to 15 people for a lecture-style setup (chairs only) or up to 12 people for workshop space (tables and chairs).
There is a campground for close-to-nature accommodations on our property. A one-room cottage with a queen bed and kitchenette is also available.
We are located in Highland County, Virginia, near the town of Monterey, only a one-hour drive from Staunton, two hours from either Roanoke or Charlottesville, three hours from Richmond, four hours from Northern Virginia/Washington, DC.
Emerald Mountain Sanctuary 