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.
For David, a previous graphic design artist accustomed to long nights at his desk, Reflection Riding first offered an essential escape from isolation. "This is just a great place to come out and visit and escape from everything else," he shares. Four years later, what started as a refuge has become a weekly commitment that keeps him grounded and connected to something larger than himself.
Every Wednesday, you'll find David engaging in vital conservation work, from removing invasive privet and honeysuckle to participating in prescribed burns. These hands-on experiences have led him to more profound reflections on our relationship with the natural world. "Everything in nature is life," he observes, "and you just have to take care of it and protect it."
The diversity of experiences available at Reflection Riding – from creek access for canoeing to winding trails for hiking – provides David with countless opportunities for reflection. But it's the meaningful work of land stewardship that has transformed his perspective on conservation. Through removing invasive species, he's gained intimate knowledge of our ecosystem's delicate balance. "No deer will eat privet," he explains, "and it takes over the plants that deer depend on. The invasives crowd out native plants that our local animals, insects, and birds need to survive."
This understanding has inspired David to expand his knowledge, becoming a Master Gardener and developing a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living things. "If everybody took a little corner of the earth to improve and protect, it would be a much better place," he reflects.
Perhaps most importantly, Reflection Riding offers David – and all our visitors – a space for essential contemplation in our busy world. "I believe all of Reflection Riding is very important for people to be able to have this place and be able to just escape from the day-to-day of driving and working and just be in touch with yourself."
As we enter this season of reflection, David's story reminds us of the vital role that natural spaces play in our lives.
