Friends of Radnor Lake

Friends of Radnor Lake The official page for Radnor Lake State Natural Area. Be a Friend. 🦅 Love the lake. Love the land. Support the places you love.

Friends of Radnor Lake protects, preserves & promotes the natural integrity of Radnor Lake State Natural Area through land acquisition, environmental education & Park support. Friends of Radnor Lake protects, preserves and promotes the natural integrity of Radnor Lake through land acquisition, environmental education and park support.

06/20/2026

And off it goes! 🦅

After nearly three months in the nest, the eaglet has successfully fledged and taken its first flight above Radnor Lake.

Now exploring the skies over the lake, the young eagle will continue building strength and learning the skills it will need for independence in the months ahead.

While this season brought challenges, it also brought a meaningful milestone and a powerful reminder of the resilience of nature.

This is what conservation looks like.

Video by D’Angelo Dewitt

Today we’re launching the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Match Campaign! The Aviary provides a permanent home for injured birds ...
06/16/2026

Today we’re launching the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Match Campaign!

The Aviary provides a permanent home for injured birds of prey that cannot return to the wild while helping thousands of visitors connect with wildlife through education and conservation.

This winter’s ice storm damaged portions of the Aviary netting, and restoration will soon be underway. From June 16–26, every gift will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $10,000, thanks to the generosity of the Barbara J. Mapp Foundation. With matching funds limited, we encourage you to give early.

Your support will help restore and strengthen the Aviary, care for its residents, and ensure this special place continues to inspire future generations.

Double your gift today.

https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/TU66W2PHsWgWY6VhYSJWxA

Cover image by Ron Boniol

It’s Pollinator Week at Radnor Lake! 🐝 June 15–21From ruby-throated hummingbirds to native bees, pollinators are essenti...
06/15/2026

It’s Pollinator Week at Radnor Lake! 🐝 June 15–21

From ruby-throated hummingbirds to native bees, pollinators are essential to the health and balance of our ecosystem — quietly doing the work that allows so much of the landscape to thrive.

This week is about more than observation; it’s about awareness and responsibility. Pollinators are increasingly vulnerable, and protecting their habitat is part of protecting the entire natural system we depend on.

Right now, they’re busy at work all around the lake. As you walk the trails, look closely at the blooms. You might be surprised by what you find — and reminded of how much life depends on what often goes unseen.

Photos by Robin Conover

Keep an eye on the lake — double-crested cormorants have arrived and will be with us through the summer. 🐦These striking...
06/12/2026

Keep an eye on the lake — double-crested cormorants have arrived and will be with us through the summer. 🐦

These striking birds are a seasonal presence at Radnor Lake, easily recognized by their dark silhouettes and dramatic behavior. You may spot them perched along the shoreline with their wings spread wide to dry in the sun, or diving beneath the surface in swift pursuit of fish.

Their return is another reminder of the rhythm of the lake — changing with the seasons, yet always alive with movement and purpose.

Photo by Robin Conover

Congratulations to Friends of Radnor Lake board member Jeff King on receiving the Conservation by Business Award at the ...
06/11/2026

Congratulations to Friends of Radnor Lake board member Jeff King on receiving the Conservation by Business Award at the 61st Annual Conservation Achievement Awards from the Tennessee Wildlife Federation. 🏆

For decades, Jeff has brought his expertise and steady commitment to land conservation in Tennessee, helping protect critical habitat surrounding Radnor Lake. His work in complex land transactions and his dedicated service on behalf of Friends of Radnor Lake have made a lasting impact on conservation across the region.

A well-deserved honor for a lifetime of thoughtful stewardship. Thank you, Jeff. 👏👏👏

Summer is officially in full color at Radnor Lake. 🌺Trumpet vine is beginning to bloom, adding bold bursts of vibrant or...
06/10/2026

Summer is officially in full color at Radnor Lake. 🌺

Trumpet vine is beginning to bloom, adding bold bursts of vibrant orange along the trails and roadsides. These striking, tubular flowers are more than just beautiful — they are an important seasonal resource for hummingbirds and other pollinators drawn to their rich nectar.

It’s one of summer’s most vivid and fleeting displays, a reminder to notice the details as the season unfolds in full.

Photo by Robin Conover

One of Radnor Lake’s cutest residents. 🦆This duckling doesn’t have the spectacular colors of its parents yet, but it wil...
06/08/2026

One of Radnor Lake’s cutest residents. 🦆

This duckling doesn’t have the spectacular colors of its parents yet, but it will one day grow into one of the most beautiful birds at Radnor Lake. Adult wood ducks are famous for their vibrant markings and iridescent feathers, making them look almost hand-painted, especially against the stillness of the lake.

Keep an eye along the shoreline, especially in the early morning or late afternoon, when wood ducks are most active.

Photo by Blake Sparrow

Happy National Trails Day! 🥾Radnor Lake’s trails offer something for everyone — whether you come for wildlife, wildflowe...
06/06/2026

Happy National Trails Day! 🥾Radnor Lake’s trails offer something for everyone — whether you come for wildlife, wildflowers, quiet, or connection. Today, we celebrate the paths that bring us back, season after season. If these trails matter to you, consider supporting the Friends of Radnor Lake to help protect them for generations to come.💚

Photos by Mclaine Richardson

Did you know rare plants are blooming right now at Radnor Lake? 🌸White water-crowfoot can be spotted around the edges of...
06/03/2026

Did you know rare plants are blooming right now at Radnor Lake? 🌸White water-crowfoot can be spotted around the edges of the water, while newly found water pennywort is thriving along the lake’s edge. These discoveries remind us how dynamic and diverse this ecosystem truly is — and why every trail visit is a little different from the last.

Photo by Steve Ward

The countdown is officially on! ✨ Save the date for the 2026 Radnor Lake Art Show, returning July 16–19 to the Walter Cr...
06/02/2026

The countdown is officially on! ✨ Save the date for the 2026 Radnor Lake Art Show, returning July 16–19 to the Walter Criley Visitor Center.

A Signature Celebration of Art & Conservation

Presented by The Chestnut Group to benefit Friends of Radnor Lake, the Art Show features a Patron Party, public art show and sale, and silent auction supporting conservation efforts for Radnor Lake State Natural Area. The event is supported by generous sponsors, with leadership from Presenting Patron WesBanco.

For months, Chestnut Group artists have been painting “en plein air,” capturing Radnor’s quiet trails, reflective waters, and shifting light in real time. It’s a rare opportunity to witness the creative process—and to bring home a work of art inspired by a place so many of us love.

Follow along in the weeks ahead for artist moments, sneak peeks, and details as we count down to the show. We hope to see you there!

Address

1160 Otter Creek Road
Nashville, TN
37220

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 6pm
Tuesday 6am - 6pm
Wednesday 6am - 6pm
Thursday 6am - 6pm
Friday 6am - 6pm
Saturday 6am - 6pm
Sunday 6am - 6pm

Telephone

+16152511471

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