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Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center

Coordinates: 35°0′36.4″N 85°21′53.42″W / 35.010111°N 85.3648389°W / 35.010111; -85.3648389
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Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center
Map
TypeArboretum, nature center
Location400 Garden Road
Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States 37419
Coordinates35°0′36.4″N 85°21′53.42″W / 35.010111°N 85.3648389°W / 35.010111; -85.3648389
Area317 acres (128 ha)
Created1956
Hiking trails15 miles
Websitewww.reflectionriding.org

Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center (317 acres) is a nonprofit arboretum, botanical garden, nature center and historical site located at 400 Garden Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The facility includes the 317-acre arboretum, 15 miles of trails, live animals indoor and outdoors, and a treehouse. The nature center participates in the endangered Red Wolf Species Survival Plan or SSP, breeding red wolves in captivity.[1]

The riding was created by John and Margaret Chambliss, and incorporated in 1956 to a vision laid out in the 1940s. It is dedicated to the study and conservation of native plant life.

The riding contains over 1,000 species of flora, with over 150 tree species. It includes a driving loop (3 miles) through woodland gardens, wildflower meadows, ponds, and along the banks of Lookout Creek, as well as some 12 miles (19 km) of walking trails and paths.

History

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In 2011, the formerly separate Reflection Riding Arboretum and the Chattanooga Nature Center combined boards and management.[2] The new organization was originally called the Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center.[3] In October 2017 the nonprofit hired RootsRated co-founder Mark McKnight as president.[4] In March, 2018 they announced the creation of a new Forest Kindergarten and Forest School.[5] The organization has been a member of the red wolf species survival plan and captive breeding program since 1996[6] and has been an advocate for the program through educational outreach and programming.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Reflection Riding Nature Center raising endangered newborn red wolf puppies [photos]". timesfreepress.com. 2016-05-19. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
  2. ^ "Chattanooga Nature Center and Reflection Riding to merge". timesfreepress.com. 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
  3. ^ "Family fumes over Reflection Riding/Nature Center change". Times Free Press. November 30, 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  4. ^ "RootsRated co-founder named president of Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center". timesfreepress.com. 2017-10-11. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
  5. ^ "Chattanooga's first Forest School, new Forest Kindergarten launch at Reflection Riding". timesfreepress.com. 2018-03-12. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
  6. ^ "Local sanctuary is home to pack of red wolves". Times Free Press. 2018-06-05. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
  7. ^ "Proposal would shrink red wolves' habitat, allow people to kill critically endangered species". Times Free Press. 2018-07-30. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
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