Guided by an ethos of conservation, Cedar Mountain Reserve (CMR) was established by the client as a living landscape for research, education, and the advancement of ecological understanding—benefiting communities both locally and across the region.
Through an early dialogue between the client and the landscape architect, a shared Mission Statement emerged to shape the planning process: Cedar Mountain Reserve embodies the beauty and splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its land holds remarkable ecological diversity and a deep cultural history. Rooted in reverence and respect, its mission is to create enduring value through stewardship and education—fostering connections between generations of people, the land, and its ever-changing expression.
To ground this vision in science, a team of ecologists was engaged to document the site’s baseline conditions—from individual species to habitats and ecosystems. This foundational research continues to inform adaptive management, long-term monitoring, and educational programming. Together, these interlinked efforts form a living feedback loop—a replicable model for cultivating biodiversity and climate resilience that radiates from Cedar Mountain Reserve to the neighboring Shenandoah National Park and beyond.