Annual Report 2025
“True to its name, Reflection Riding is my place to pause, to reconnect with what grounds me, and to reflect on what’s truly important.”
- Shawanna Kendrick
Dear Friends, Supporters, Members, and Volunteers,
Life today feels so chaotic and rushed. What a gift to have a place to set aside the stress of nearby city life and reconnect with nature and each other.
Those of us who enjoy remarkable places like Reflection Riding owe a great debt to thoughtful planners from the past. In our case, it took a village: visionaries, gardeners, philanthropists, volunteers, quite a few lawyers, and even an innovative bulldozer operator who preserved this place for all of us.
A few years ago, harnessing the community’s bold and ambitious vision for this place, we began work on our Framework for the Future. Out of that public process, we expanded our programs and reach, added many new opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, and set a firm financial foundation for our shared future.
We finalized our permanent conservation easement, legally protecting the land forever. Alongside these critical milestones, we witnessed a massive increase in visitation and interest in our work.
We thank each of you who showed up for us during our summer campaign. Your support will help us renovate the existing nature center buildings now that we know that they will remain. This winter we’ll focus on accessibility by adding a new after-hours bathroom and improving walkways.
Thank you for joining us on this journey, and thank you for your financial support!
Gratefully,
Our Stories
Fostering Connection, Increasing Access
With your support, our vision for the future is becoming a reality! This year, we launched a new mobile guide that dives into the culture, history, and ecology of our campus. And thanks to generous community support, donations from our Summer Campaign will allow us to make our campus more accessible for all.
Native Plants: Pillars of Life
Native plants sustain all life on Earth, and their conservation is vital for a happy, healthy world. We piloted a partnership with Hixson High School and found homes for 2,871 native plants propagated at the school!
Profile Trail Restored by Volunteers
Our only single-track trail on campus is now restored thanks to Randy Medley and volunteers from the Scenic City Hiking Club and Chattanooga Hiking Club. The Profile Trail is a peaceful walk in the woods that winds through dogwoods forests, wildflower coves, and untouched beauty.
Growing the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders
Our Native Landscape Apprenticeship Program continues to grow as we prepare high schoolers for future careers in conservation, land management, and environmental stewardship. We welcomed 234 Howard students onto our campus for learning and now have five paid apprentices!
Growing Minds in the Great Outdoors
Through field trips, partner school programs, outreach programs, and visits to our Nature Playscape, we reached more than 17,000 children with hands-on nature experiences this year!
Gum Spring Creek Restoration
Healthy waterways are necessary for successful ecosystems, which is why we’re restoring a previously neglected stream right at our entryway. By removing invasive species, creating the Nature Playscape, and revitalizing the streambank, we’re restoring water quality that flows into the Lookout Creek watershed. Many thanks to QuikTrip and Mark Ray for their efforts!
Nature Connects Us All
Your enthusiasm for community in nature has made this our biggest year yet for public events. From the Campfire Concert Series to Follow the Fire and Brunch & Blooms, our programs continue to grow with our visitation.
Turn the Tide for Turtles
As a founding member of the Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) American Turtle Program, we work with the Turtle Survival Alliance to combat turtle declines across the country. We expanded our enclosure capacity this past year to turn the tide for our reptilian friends!
Thanks to our supporters for making this our best year yet. Your generosity makes it all possible.
Annual Giving Society
Annual Giving Society members are the champions of nature at Reflection Riding.Your contributions ensure we can continue offering our community accessibleoutdoor opportunities, from exploration to conservation. We are endlessly grateful for your dedication and would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to you.
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Ann & Bill Aiken
Brooke Thomas & Nic Armstong
Daisy Maurya-Ballard & Matthew Ballard
Nancy & Charlie Belin
The Berghel Family
Nora & Bob Bernhardt
Alisa Bigham
Jean & Rick Botto
Brandon Brewster
Frank Bright
Danna Bailey & David Brock
Susu & Paul Brock
Nicole & Charlie Brock
Jen & Neil Brown
Betsy & Ben Cake
Mike Campbell
Mary Beth & Jim Catanzaro
Jennifer Goodman & Greg Clark
Joan & Ken Clark
Michelle Hunter & Matt Clemmer
Courtney & Brad Cobb
Angie & Pat Conroy
Christine & Joseph Cooper
Suzanne Corrington, MD
Mary & David Corson
Marian Creighton
Andrea Crouch
Nini & Elliott Davenport
Susan & Jesse Day
Heather & Joe DeGaetano
Bena & David DeVaney
Susan Elder
J. Franklin Farrow
Sally & Buddy Faulkner
Margaret & Scott Ferguson
Jennifer & Steven Fox
Tara & Gene Geiger
Paula Haynes & Greg Grant
Linda & Doug Graydon
Joen & Bob Grizzard
Mary & Ron Hagen
Suzanne & Wilson Haizlip
The Hand Foundation
Johanna Heywood
Lucia & Thomas Hopper
Deanne & Nelson Irvine
Susan & Don Jensen
Wendy & David Johnston
The Jordahl Family
Arline Mann & Bob Katz
Patti & Chris Keller
Mayor Tim Kelly
Ann Keown
Erin Felton Lopez
Margery May
Caren & John McAleer
Mary & Don McDowell
The Jack McKee Family
Janel & Chris McKee
Chris Lykins & Mark C. McKnight
Joan & Brian Mickles
Sara & Robert Mingus
Kristina & Tom Montague
Elizabeth & Jerele Neeld
Ruthie & Curtis Norton
Margy Oehmig
Lane & Ricky Park
Colleen Carboni & Ashlee Patten
Carolene & Alden Perry
Kim Terry & Bill Phillips
P. Robert Philp, Jr.
A.B. Riser
Amy Beville & Jeff Roberts
Kathleen & Fred Robinson
Lindsay & Dan Rose
Brett Rousch
Lorie & Bill Runge
Melissa & Santosh Sankar
Malinda & Doug Saturno
Annette Allen & John Shearburn
Lisa Lemza & Mike Shillinger
Bonny Sinclair
Ginny Smith
Luke Soules
Michelle & Chris Spencer
Julie & Patrick Stowe
The Strickland Foundation
Denise & Mike Taylor
Phyllis & Bruce Tilden
Daly Turnbull
Anna & Kenny Turner
Greg A. Vital
Doug & Sandra Warner
Lauren Wolfford
Loti Woods & Dale Weiler
Kirby & Jake Yost
Sandra M. Zitkus
See an error? We apologize and would love to correct it. Please contact us at support@reflectionriding.org.
Reflection Riding extends its gratitude to the many sponsors, funders, grantors, and foundations who champion our mission. With your unwavering support, we deepen our impact on the Chattanooga community, inspiring greater ecological awareness and stewardship.
$20,000+
Lillian ColbyFoundation
Local3 News
QuikTrip
Riverview Foundation
Robert Finley Stone Foundation
Schillhahn-Huskey Foundation
TuckerBuild
United Way of Greater Chattanooga
WMWA LandscapeArchitects
$10,000+
Black Creek Chattanooga
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Common House
Footprint Foundation
Grandview Foundation
New Blue Construction
REI Cooperative Action Fund
Stone Source
TN Department of Agriculture, Forestry
$5,000+
American Water Charitable Foundation
Chattanooga Whiskey
EPB
Lyndhurst Foundation
Pillar Construction
Tremont Tavern
UNUM
Varallo Foundation
Volkswagen Chattanooga
$2,500+
ArtsBuild
Bridge Financial Planning LLC
Build Sage Design
Dolan Gardens Foundation
Evergreen Property Group
First Horizon Foundation
Gearhead Outfitters
Journey Health Foundation
Hutton & Smith Brewing Company
Mountain Outfitters
Tennessee Arts Commission
Tip-A-Canoe
$1,000+
Bad Beard Events
Battle Academy 2nd Grade Class
Curbed Construction
The Chrysalis Foundation
Elder’s Ace Hardware
Hazel Montague Hutcheson Foundation
HELM Projects
Land Events
MayTree Massage
OCI
The Patten Group
Q Strategies
RockPoint Bank
Roamstead Hospitality
Taqueria Jalisco
Tennessee Trails Association
TN Valley Chapter, American Rhododendron Society
Sophie’s Shoppe
Square One Holdings
The Unicorn Restaurant & Catering
Annual Report
We’re advancing thoughtfully, ensuring every dollar you donate creates a lasting legacy for our community.