True to Appalachia: Eastern Hemlock
The Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) has a quiet resilience like none other. These gentle giants reside in sheltered cove forests of the Appalachias and promote their local communities through temperature regulation, shelter, and food availability. Read on to learn about the biggest threat to their population.
Explore Nature This Summer
Summer Camp 2025 registration is open to the public! Come out to the Best Outdoor Summer Camp in Chattanooga for the adventure of a lifetime!
Where Do Insects Go in the Winter?
Discover where insects go in the winter and why we should protect them. Without pollinators, our agricultural supply suffers.
Gratitude for the Natural World
From our team to you: Thank you! 2024 was a year of progress for the natural world through conservation and environmental education. We’re excited to move forward into a new year of reconnecting our community with nature.
American Mistletoe
American Mistletoe (Phoradendrum leucarpum) is a broadleaf evergreen that continues to shine past the holiday season. Often a symbol of love and peace in the human world, this plant serves a much more complicated role in ecology.
Steward the Next Generation
Some places grow more precious with each generation. For multiple generations, the Oehmig family has discovered Reflection Riding as their sacred space.
Restore: Nurturing Nature's Next Generation
This year, we witnessed how a single field trip can spark a lifelong journey in conservation. For Jahore Vann, a junior at The Howard School, that spark has grown into a blazing passion for environmental stewardship through our Native Landscape Apprenticeship program.
Renew: Nurturing the Connections with Wildlife
At Reflection Riding, our commitment to environmental stewardship is renewed daily through the healing and nurturing of local wildlife. This vital work cares for individual animals and strengthens the delicate web of life that sustains our entire ecosystem. Wildlife Naturalist Brianna Taylor embodies this mission of renewal, forging deep connections with both the animals in her care and the natural world that we all share.
Thriving Gardens: All-New Native Plant Resource
We’re excited to introduce Thriving Gardens, an all-new regional plant guide created by Thrive Regional Partnership and Homegrown National Park. From residents to business owners to community leaders and educators, Thriving Gardens is your ultimate resource for selecting resilient, wildlife-friendly plants in our tri-state region of northeast Alabama, northwest Georgia, and southeast Tennessee.
Reflect: Finding Purpose in Land Stewardship
At Reflection Riding, we often pause to consider what it means to truly reflect in nature. Few stories capture this essence better than that of David Riall, whose connection with our campus began during the isolating days of COVID-19 and has blossomed into a profound relationship with nature and land conservation.
Reflect: A Volunteer’s Journey
For dedicated volunteer Sarah, what began as a way to complete the Master Gardener program requirements has blossomed into a deep connection with Reflection Riding's native plant nursery.
Give the Gift of Nature
As autumn leaves paint our trails in brilliant hues and wildlife prepares for winter, we're reminded of nature's endless capacity to bring wonder into our lives. This holiday season, we invite you to share that wonder with others through a unique and meaningful gift: a Reflection Riding membership.
Acoustic Nights at Reflection Riding
Just like that—the Fall 2024 Campfire Concert Series is complete. We had a wonderful time all season long and would love to share our highlights with you.
What to Do with Leftover Pumpkins
In the season of everything pumpkin, read on for ways to repurpose and dispose of your pumpkin surplus in environmentally friendly ways. Your uncarved, unpainted pumpkins have lots of possibilities!
Apprenticeship Update - Fall 2024
Our apprentices continue to learn land stewardship through invasive removal, botanical knowledge, and career development. Our Lead Naturalist, Emily Jackson, gives an account of their progress throughout the third quarter of 2024.
Lead Naturalists Earn New Certifications at Tremont
Our Lead Naturalists took their skills to the next level at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Ailani Ramirez-Pineda, Kayla Reeves, and Emily Jackson earned their certification in Naturalist Skills, showcasing their dedication and passion for conservation. They’re eager to bring their newly honed expertise into our educational programs here at Reflection Riding, enriching the experiences we offer.
Gum Spring Creek Restoration
At Reflection Riding, conservation and restoration are at the heart of everything we do. As part of our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, we’re excited to announce that we’re undertaking a significant streambank restoration project on Gum Spring Creek.
We Saved the Bend (Again)!
“Moccasin Bend is a cultural treasure that must be protected and preserved for future generations." — Christi Branscom, Commissioner of Tennessee's Department of General Services
Interpreting with Empathy
There is a growing movement within the conservation community to share the stories of nonhuman species in a way that promotes connection and compassion within the public realm. Through empathetic language, we can help our community relate to the natural world
Red Wolf, the Protector
The American Red Wolf (Canis rufus) is the most endangered canid in the world. Years of mismatched worldviews between Western and Indigenous ideologies have put this animal at odds with habitat encroachment and the U.S. government, but a recent decision to capitalize “Red Wolf” has been made to honor the animal's cultural ties to the Cherokee Nation. Read on to learn more about the history of the Red Wolf.