Twelve Hills Nature Center

07/26/2026

Moth night on July 19 was a spectacular success! Over 80 people came from as far away as Waco and McKinney and areas between. 15+ blacklighting stations were set-up throughout Twelve Hills. Over 200 species were recorded and our species count rose from the low 1600s to 1722 today. And most importantly, many people from children to adults learned about nocturnal insects! Thank-you, Hey Neighbor for sponsoring this fascinating event!

Thank-you to our Urban Wildlife Biologist, Sam Kieschnick for teaching about moths and other nocturnal insects, to Samantha for leading, to Amanda for the beautiful graphics, and to Samantha, Tyler, Amanda and Stephanie for getting the word out.

07/14/2026

Come meet the neighbors you didn’t know you had!

Join TPWD Urban Wildlife Biologist Sam Kieschnick and Master Naturalists at Twelve Hills Nature Center on Sunday evening, July 19, at 7:30 PM to observe moths and other nocturnal insects.

Mothing at Twelve Hills aligns with National Moth Week, July 18–26, 2026 which “celebrates the beauty, diversity and ecological importance of moths.”

Moths, the nocturnal cousins of butterflies, fly at night, pollinate plants, and provide an important food source for nocturnal animals. Many are strikingly beautiful when you look closely. While looking for moths, we’ll have the chance to observe many other fascinating nocturnal insects and, if we’re lucky, we’ll also see bats, nighthawks, and more.

We’ll use UV lights — called black lighting — to attract moths and nocturnal insects. Then we’ll observe and photograph them and submit the observations to iNaturalist.org where the they are available for scientific studies.

For more details about black lighting, read about the 2025 black lighting event at Twelve Hills

Schedule:
7:30 PM: Set-up of black light stations and mingling
8:00 PM Welcome and instructions by our TPWD Urban Wildlife Biologist, Sam Kieschnick
Followed by: visit several black lighting stations throughout Twelve Hills and observe nocturnal insects.

Helpful Hints:
- Wear dark-colored clothing, long pants, socks, closed-toe shoes.
- Bring a small flashlight or a headlamp, a camera or phone with a camera if you’d like to photograph insects.
- Bring water and a snack.
- Consider downloading iNaturalist.org to your phone or computer to log your species.
- Beginners, families and children are welcome, but please leave your pets at home.
- The trail is rough, rocky, and hilly in areas.
- There is a porta-potty on site.
- Please park on the street.

Please let us know you’re coming or have questions at [email protected], or

RSVP on Facebook and put the number of adults and children in a comment or message to us!

Than you heyneighborgrouptx, for sponsoring Black lighting at Twelve Hills!

06/07/2026

After over an inch of rain, the trail is very wet today but you can enjoy birds singing and beautiful flowers in the butterfly gardens and gathering area without walking the trail.

06/06/2026

https://takemetotn.com/this-stunning-hidden-garden-is-one-of-texas-best-kept-secrets/

Wildflower trails, native prairie views, butterflies, and peaceful woodland paths make this hidden Dallas nature preserve feel worlds away from the city.

05/24/2026

Going birding means waking up early. Waking up early means catching the prairie in the morning dew.

☀️

04/30/2026

Nancy is back !!! Sunday, May 3 at 1 pm at Twelve Hills Nature Center, North Texas Master Naturalist Nancy Escobar will explore Twelve Hills looking for flowers, insects and other interesting things. Join us on this family friendly walk, learn a little Spanish and immerse yourself in nature. RSVP to [email protected].

04/19/2026

Celebrate Oak Cliff Earth Day, come to Lake Cliff Park today until about 5 pm.

04/10/2026

Twelve Hills is magnificent this morning! Flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing, birds are singing! Springtime is here!

04/03/2026

Nature Journaling scheduled for April 4, is cancelled due to the much needed 1 to 2 inches of rain expected in the morning.
The April 12 program on rain gardens is also cancelled and will be rescheduled.

03/18/2026

A Night to Remember ✨
What an incredible evening! On March 7th, 125 passionate conservation supporters gathered at the beautiful Turner House to celebrate 21 years of Twelve Hills Nature Center—and we SOLD OUT! Together, we raised $31,357 to ensure that thousands of students and families continue to experience the wonder of nature right here in Oak Cliff.

We couldn't have done it without our amazing sponsors:
🌟 PRESENTING SPONSOR
Kuluntu Bakery (underwritten by an anonymous donor)

🌿 EVENT SPONSORS
The Jenni Stolarski Team | Fairchild Group | North Haven Gardens| Dallas Zoo | Irene & Leonard Ellis | Robbie Christopher | Happy Campers | Coombs Creek Conservancy| Joseph Beckham & Angie Mobley | John Wilt | Oil and Cotton | UPS Store Oak Cliff | Redenta's Garden Shops

Your support means:
✅ 10,300+ people served annually through our programs
✅ 700+ students in our Nature Leaders program
✅ 5 acres of precious Blackland Prairie restoration (less than 1% of this ecosystem remains!)
✅ FREE nature education for Title I students
✅ 21 years of conservation impact in Oak Cliff—and counting

To everyone who attended, donated, volunteered, and cheered us on: THANK YOU. You're helping us build organizational capacity and sustainability so Twelve Hills can serve our community for the next 21 years and beyond.

Here's to wild beauty, conservation ethics, and the power of community. 🦋🌻
📸 Swipe through to see highlights from the evening!