Winterberry Holly
The Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) is a unique holly that drops its leaves in winter but leaves behind beautiful bright red berries.
American Beautyberry
The American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is an understory shrub with an amazing characteristic: bright purple fruit!
Red Buckeye
The Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is one of the most beautiful understory trees of the Southeast with bright red flowers.
An Artist Takes Flight
Explore the journey of artist Zoe Rye and her time with us as an opportunity fellow through ArtsBuild.
Tribute to Vlad
On May 21, 2026, we lost Vlad the Black Vulture. We’re so grateful for the decades together, but we’ll miss him dearly. Read on to share in his memory with us.
Celebrating Our Spring ’26 Nursery Cohort Participants
Check out the adventures of our first-ever Spring 2026 Nursery Cohort!
Pre-Apprenticeship Spring 2026
Native Landscape Management Apprenticeship Manager Ailani Ramirez-Pineda gives a Spring 2026 update. Check out our pre-apprentices adventures this past semester!
Cookie Jars and Crafts for Red Wolves
Check out how local students are making an impact for the American Red Wolf (Canis rufus), the world’s most endangered canid!
Sustainability Meets Construction: Thermally Modified Wood
The moment is here: upgrades are coming to our Welcome Center! We’re replacing the old pressure-treated boardwalk with a new, sustainable decking called Thermowood®. Learn about how this material falls in our move toward more sustainable practices.
Tennessee Valley Seed Project
We’re excited to announce our new native plant initiative, the TN Valley Seed Project. This multi-year project will cultivate resilient, locally-adapted plant individuals for their use in our regional community. Read on to learn how this methodology supports biodiversity!
Benefits of Outdoor Play
Check out our plans for Summer Camp 2026 and why outdoor play is vital for children!
Meet Our New Summer Camp Director
Meet Elle Walker, our new Youth Programs Manager who will lead Summer Camp and our educational programming.
Prescribed Burn at Sheets Sward
We just held a prescribed burn at Sheets Sward to deter invasive species and boost the native seed bank. In the future, this will become the site of our Mother Garden!
Pre-Apprenticeship Emerges
Check out our latest update on our Native Landscape Management Apprenticeship. Plus, we have an exciting announcement for how this experience can extend past graduation.
Tribute to Ember
On October 26, 2025, we lost a dear friend. Ember the Red-shouldered Hawk was an integral part of our team here at Reflection Riding. For 11 years, she educated thousands of guests about the importance of her species with a fierce gaze and willing attitude. Although she’s gone, Ember will continue to live in the hearts of many.
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. We also kicked off a Summer Campaign and have begun construction 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 our 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 with careers in conservation, land management, and environmental stewardship. We welcomed 234 Howard students onto our campus for learning and now have five apprentices!
Growing Minds in the Great Outdoors
Through field trips, outreach programs, and visits to our Nature Playscape, we reached more than 17,000 children with hands-on nature experiences this year!