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Special Interests

A Collaborative Network

At its core, the Friends of Cedars acts as a bridge—bringing people, passions, and purpose together in service and use of a place they love. By connecting park staff with educators, conservationists, recreation groups, scientists, volunteers, and families, the Friends help weave a shared story of learning, stewardship and engagement. 

This network nurtures collaboration across interests—from outdoor recreation, conservation and agriculture to hikers, runners, cyclists, equestrians, and orienteers—connecting people to the Park through active use. Together, these special interest groups create a vibrant, inclusive community that sustains Cedars of Lebanon as a place of enjoyment, connection, and shared purpose

Special Interests at Cedars of Lebanon

Additional information about the special interest groups involved with the Park may be found below.

Park Programs, Events and Activities

Special Interest: Park Programs, Events and Activities
Contact email:  shauna.bridgers@tn.gov
Contact phone number: 615-443-2769
Website address: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/activities/cedars-of-lebanon

Tennessee State Parks (tnstateparks.com) invites visitors to explore, learn, and connect with nature through the many activities offered at Cedars of Lebanon State Park. From hiking cedar glades and forests to birding, camping, and interpretive programs, the organization stewards this rare landscape while making it accessible and welcoming to all. Through conservation, education, and recreation, Tennessee State Parks helps ensure Cedars of Lebanon remains a place of discovery, reflection, and shared outdoor experiences for generations.

Directions and Maps: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/cedars-of-lebanon#directions 
Camping/Cabins: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/campground/cedars-of-lebanon
Reserve Park Venues: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/venues/cedars-of-lebanon
Upcoming Events: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/events/cedars-of-lebanon/#/?park=cedars-of-lebanon 
Volunteering: https://tnstateparksvolunteer.galaxydigital.com/agency/detail/?agency_id=116295

Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, Community Resource Development, and 4-H Youth Development

Special Interest: Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, Community Resource Development, and 4-H Youth Development
Contact email:  lholman1@utk.edu
Contact phone number:  615-444-9584
Website address: https://wilson.tennessee.edu/

UT ExtensionWilson County (wilson.tennessee.edu) connects research‑based education to everyday life, supporting agriculture, environmental stewardship, and community well‑being. Through partnerships and volunteer programs, Extension contributes expertise in conservation, native plants, and sustainable practices that complement the stewardship of Cedars of Lebanon State Park. By linking local knowledge with public service, UT Extension helps protect Wilson County’s natural resources while strengthening the community’s connection to the land.

Beekeepers / Apiculture

Special Interest:  Beekeepers / Apiculture
Contact email:  petrabee@hotmail.com
Contact phone number: 615-286-2529
Website address: wilsoncountybeekeepers.org

Wilson County Beekeepers represents a close‑knit community dedicated to education, stewardship, and the protection of honeybees in Middle Tennessee. The Wilson County Beekeepers Association supports beekeepers of all experience levels through shared knowledge, mentoring, and hands‑on learning. Grounded in the same environment that includes Cedars of Lebanon State Park, their work aligns with the park’s broader mission of protecting native habitats and pollinators. Through stewardship, outreach, and shared responsibility, the group helps ensure that bees—and the landscapes they support—continue to thrive for future generations.

Bird Watching / Ornithology

Special Interest: Bird Watching / Ornithology
Contact email:  lebanonbirding@gmail.com
Contact phone number:  N/A
Website address: https://lebanonbirding.org/

Lebanon Birding (lebanonbirding.org), the John W. Sellars Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society, is a welcoming community of birding enthusiasts dedicated to appreciating and protecting birds in Wilson County and Middle Tennessee. Through bird walks, education, and conservation efforts—including regular outings and programs at Cedars of Lebanon State Park—the group helps connect people to the park’s rich birdlife while fostering stewardship of its unique cedar glades and forests.

Cedar Glades

Special Interest: Cedar Glades
Contact email: kim.sadler@mtsu.edu
Contact phone number: N/A
Website address: https://glade-center.mtsu.edu/

The Center for Cedar Glade Studies at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is dedicated to protecting and understanding limestone cedar glades—globally unique, fragile habitats found primarily in Middle Tennessee. Once viewed as wastelands, these landscapes support highly specialized plant species found nowhere else on Earth. Through research, education, and partnerships with Cedars of Lebanon State Park, the Center serves as a clearinghouse of information for citizens, agencies, educators, researchers, and the public, helping ensure these rare ecosystems endure.

Forestry

Special Interest: Forestry
Contact email: adam.muth@tn.gov
Contact phone number: 615-443-2768
Website address: www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests/state-forests/cedars-of-lebanon.htmlate Forest – Tennessee Division of Forestry

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry works to protect and manage the state’s forests for the benefit of present and future generations. Through its stewardship of the Cedars of Lebanon State Forest, which surrounds and supports Cedars of Lebanon State Park, the Division helps preserve rare cedar glade ecosystems, promote sustainable land management, and safeguard the natural landscapes that make the park a treasured resource for Tennessee.

Gardening / Butterfly Gardens

Special Interest: Gardening / Butterfly Gardens
Contact email:  admin@wilsoncountymg.org
Contact phone number:  615-444-9584
Website address: https://wilsoncountymg.org/

The Wilson County Master Gardeners (wilsoncountymg.org) are dedicated volunteers who promote sustainable gardening, native plants, and environmental education throughout Wilson County. Through hands‑on service and public outreach—including native plant sales, gardens, and habitat projects such as the Butterfly Garden behind the Nature Center at Cedars of Lebanon State Park—they help protect local ecosystems while inspiring the community to garden responsibly. Their work reflects a shared commitment to stewardship, education, and the long‑term health of Middle Tennessee’s natural landscapes.

Horseback Riding

Special Interest: Horseback Riding
Contact email:  ridecedars@gmail.com
Contact phone number:  615-961-1427
Website address: https://ridecedars.com/

Ride Cedars (ridecedars.com), also known as The Stables at Cedars of Lebanon, offers guided horseback riding experiences within Cedars of Lebanon State Park. Through trail rides and equestrian programs, the organization helps visitors connect with the park’s forests and open landscapes in a peaceful, memorable way. By blending outdoor recreation with respect for the natural setting, Ride Cedars invites riders of all ages to experience the park’s beauty from a unique and timeless perspective.

Land Conservancy

Special Interest: Land Conservancy
Contact email:  info@tenngreen.org
Contact phone number:  615-329-4441
Website address: https://tenngreen.org/project/cedars-of-lebanon-state-park/

TennGreen Land Conservancy (tenngreen.org) works to protect Tennessee’s most important natural places, including the rare limestone cedar glades surrounding Cedars of Lebanon State Park. Through land acquisition, habitat restoration, and conservation easements, TennGreen has partnered to expand and safeguard land around the park, ensuring rare plants and wildlife can thrive. Their work reflects a lasting commitment to preserving this globally significant landscape for public enjoyment and future generations.

Land Navigation / Orienteering

Special Interest: Land Navigation / Orienteering
Contact email: NashvilleOrienteering@gmail.com
Contact phone number:  502-640-6861  
Website address:  www.NashvilleOrienteering.org

Nashville Orienteering represents a passionate, volunteer‑led community that connects people to the outdoors through navigation, exploration, and learning. The organization promotes map‑and‑compass skills while encouraging participants of all ages to engage deeply with nature. Through regular events and courses held at Cedars of Lebanon State Park, Nashville Orienteering helps visitors experience the park’s unique terrain in an active, educational way, fostering both appreciation for the landscape and confidence in outdoor skills.

Nature Conservancy

Special Interest: Nature Conservancy
Contact email:  member@tnc.org
Contact phone number:  615-383-9909
Website address: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/tennessee/

The Nature Conservancy (tnc.org) is a global conservation organization dedicated to protecting the lands and waters on which all life depends. Through science‑based conservation and partnerships, TNC works to safeguard rare habitats and biodiversity. Its mission closely aligns with the protection of unique ecosystems such as the cedar glades found at Cedars of Lebanon State Park, helping ensure these fragile landscapes are valued, conserved, and sustained for generations to come.

Naturalists

Special Interest: Naturalists
Contact email:  info@tnnaturalist.org
Contact phone number:  N/A
Website address: https://tnnaturalist.org/

The Tennessee Naturalist Program (tnnaturalist.org) inspires adults to learn, serve, and share knowledge of Tennessee’s natural world through education and hands‑on stewardship. The program has deep roots at Cedars of Lebanon State Park, where a long‑standing chapter trained volunteers to study cedar glades, wildlife, and ecosystems while giving back through service and outreach. By turning curiosity into conservation, the program helps protect the park’s rare landscapes for future generations.

Off-Road Cycling / Mountain Biking

Special Interest: Off-Road Cycling / Mountain Biking
Contact email: info@sorbamidtn.org
Contact phone number: N/A
Website address: www.sorbamidtn.org

SORBAMidTennessee (sorbamidtn.org) is a volunteer‑led nonprofit that, since 2005, has led the effort to create, enhance, preserve, and ride off‑road cycling opportunities across Middle Tennessee. Through strong partnerships and sustainable trail building—including stewardship at Cedars of Lebanon State Park—the group connects riders to the land while protecting it. Their ongoing mission is rooted in community, conservation, and expanding trail systems for future generations.

Running / Marathons

Special Interest: Running / Marathons
Contact email:  tbryant@fca.org
Contact phone number:  615-948-1434
Website address: https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Lebanon/WilsonCountyFCA

Wilson County Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) brings together faith, fitness, and community through events like Run the Cedars, a beloved annual run held at Cedars of Lebanon State Park. By welcoming runners of all ages onto the park’s scenic trails, the organization raises support for mentoring coaches and athletes while fostering fellowship and service. Rooted in encouragement and purpose, Wilson County FCA connects spiritual growth with the shared joy of community and the beauty of the outdoors.

Get Involved

Friends of Cedars is just one of over 50 active and established Friends groups across the State. Get involved with your Park’s Friends group today!