Habitat Starts with Plants

Native plants are the foundation of healthy ecosystems, providing food and shelter for wildlife while helping hold soil, filter water, and create resilient landscapes. This year, we expanded that work by growing our team, welcoming more volunteers, and expanding native habitat throughout our community.

With generous support from the Grandview Foundation, we continued investing in our Native Plant Nursery as a source for regionally appropriate plants and a place where people can learn, volunteer, and connect with conservation. Improvements made the nursery more welcoming and functional while we strengthened our team to meet growing interest in native plants.

Our partnership with Hixson High School also grew. Students propagate native plants through their coursework, which Reflection Riding purchases to grow and sell through our nursery, giving students hands-on conservation experience while expanding our supply of locally grown plants.

Through our partnerships with EPB and the City of Chattanooga, we distributed more than 2,000 free native trees this year, creating habitat in yards, neighborhoods, and community spaces across the region.

Volunteer involvement grew as well. Our new nursery cohort gives volunteers opportunities to build skills and contribute to propagation and plant care. When people have meaningful ways to participate, they show up.