Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center

Public EducationWe create experiences that spark curiosity about the natural world. Each year, thousands of children experience our education programming either on our campus or in their classrooms thanks to our traveling animal ambassador team. Our educators focus on outreach to Hamilton County schools and dozens of schools across our region to introduce nature-based learning experiences, particularly for students who have limited access to these opportunities. Reflection Riding offers forest kindergarten and school on our campus, integrating academics with naturalist skills and outdoor exploration. We offer programming for the public - for families, children, adults and groups - on topics as varied as invasive species removal and management, endangered animals, and using native plants in your outdoor spaces.

Land Conservation/Habitat RestorationReflection Riding engages in active management of our own 317 acre campus to safeguard populations of threatened and endangered species. We advocate and educate the greater Chattanooga region on the importance of land, plant and habitat conservation efforts. We take a holistic approach to habitat restoration, evaluating current conditions, targeting harmful species for removal, evaluating the seed bank and reintroducing native plants from our nursery. We offer an native plant nursery to the public. We partner with a number of research organizations on botanical, horticultural and other academic research endeavors.

Wildlife ConservationReflection Riding's native wildlife program helps people of all backgrounds connect with the animals around them by inspiring action to conserve biodiversity. We care for habituated and non-releasable animals, allowing the public to learn more about native species and how they can help protect their habitat. Reflection Riding cares for several of the roughly 250 remaining critically endangered American red wolves. We are active participants in the red wolf species survival plan, coordinating with 41 other partner institutions and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to save these animals from extinction. Our educators and naturalists offer habitat restoration workshops, teaching citizens to restore biodiversity from the ground up through invasive plant removal and native plant restoration. We also offer interactive, hands-on education opportunities such as raptor training workshop allowing participants to learn to safely handle injured birds in captivity.