Framework for the Future Makes a Splash

We hope you saw the exciting news (on the front page of the paper!) today about our new Framework for the Future, a new, forward-thinking vision that situates us as a national leader in environmental education, conservation, and land stewardship.

Developed from fall 2020 to spring 2021, the Framework draws together detailed input and aspirations from over 800 participants including staff, board members, volunteers, nearby residents, and community members, creating a guide for the future while preserving and expanding current programs. This comprehensive planning process was led by internationally-acclaimed landscape architecture firm SCAPE and we couldn’t be more excited to share the results. 

So, what’s in the Framework? We invite you to explore this exciting plan today to learn more! You can also stop by our Welcome Center to learn more and explore the vision in person! Here are a few key highlights:

• Balancing environmental and institutional needs, the Framework unifies programs in an activity hub near our northern entrance, aligning an immersive entrance to a new conservation center with scenic views of Lookout Mountain and connections to a trail network and flexible education and programming throughout the 300-acre site.

• The Framework centers the restoration of key native plant communities across our campus grasslands, endangered prairies, pine savannas, wet meadows, bottomland forest and more. Seeds and cuttings for these efforts will be sourced directly from the on-site native plant nursery and restoration will be integrated into Reflection Riding’s educational programs, engaging students and visitors in the stewardship of Tennessee’s rich biodiversity.

• The Framework envisions an expanded nursery located in a new conservation center offering space for education, group gathering, receptions and sales as well as plant propagation. A new canopy walk raises the existing boardwalk above the projected flood levels of Lookout Creek, leading to the Forest School and Kindergarten. 

• A new wayfinding system transforms the existing trail network into a system of ‘thematic loops’ allowing visitors to immerse themselves in different aspects of the site—such as geology, hydrology, and cultural history. Digital tools will allow educators and visitors to conduct crowd-sourced monitoring of the landscapes. 

Altogether, this new vision for Reflection Riding will allow visitors to engage with a different angle of the landscape on each visit, impressing a sense of awe for the natural and cultural heritage of the property while educating a new generation of environmental stewards. We have a feeling you are going to be as excited as we are and we invite you to explore the Framework that you helped to create.

Thank you for your input, your membership, your support, and for helping us shape the next generation of conservation stewardship!