Friends of Sheri Capehart Nature Preserve (SCNP)

A nonprofit organization

$745 raised by 12 donors

About

Trails - 2026

Since the dedication of the Sheri Capehart Nature Preserve (formerly the Southwest Nature Preserve) in 2013, the Friends of SCNP has supported the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Arlington's commitment to protect this unique site's natural resources and provide opportunities for outdoor exploration, nature appreciation and more. As a preserve, it's a great example of eastern Cross Timbers ecosystem, characterized by woodlands, savanna grasslands, and enhanced by 4 ponds‚ providing a wide variety of habitats for diverse groups of wildlife.

The preserve is a designated site on TPWD's Great Texas Wildlife Trails, and the Pollinator Meadow has recently been designated as a Monarch Waystation. The Friends of SCNP host an annual Backyard Bird Count along with several other events at the Preserve, focusing on the Preserve's wildlife, plants, or history. Additionally, the Friends host programs that cover topics relevant to the Preserve, including wildlife, natural resources, ecology, geology, and history. The Preserve has been a favorite site for volunteers with UT Arlington's Big Event, and the Friends have sometimes shared projects with the nearby Fellowship Academy and with local scouting groups.

Our Needs

The Friends of Sheri Capehart Nature Preserve (SCNP) use donated funds to purchase materials that support our ongoing projects:

Continue to build short, raised walkways over places where seeps and drainage periodically turn trails muddy, such as the Three Bridges Project completed in 2024 with labor and expertise assistance from South-Point Constructors
Purchase materials needed for the prairie restoration project on the north edge of the Preserve
Continue to develop and nurture the Pollinator Meadow
Support the establishment of a bird habitat and viewing area
Maintain and advance the effort to improve the preserve's trail system with interpretive signs, kiosk postings, and free educational materials
Always, funding is needed for the day-to-day work of trail maintenance, erosion control, invasive species removal, and seeding with native plants.

Mission

The Friends of Sheri Capehart Nature Preserve (SCNP) support the Arlington Parks, Recreation & Culture Department in its work at SCNP and share the City of Arlington's commitment to protect this unique site's natural resources.

Our mission is the protection, preservation, and enhancement of the preserve. Key areas are:

• Maintenance and improvements of the trail system

• Planting/re-seeding of native plants and management of invasive exotic plants to protect and improve the health of native plants and wildlife

• Monitoring and possible restoration of the three ponds and their aquatic habitats.

We also work to enhance the public's understanding of these natural resources through wildlife and plant surveys as well as providing on-site programs and other public education opportunities.

Needs

The Friends of Sheri Capehart Nature Preserve (SCNP) are requesting funds to continue to develop and nurture the Pollinator Meadow on 2 acres at the south end of the preserve, to restore the north prairie with native grasses and wildflowers, and to support the establishment of a bird habitat and viewing area.

Funds are also needed to maintain and advance the effort begun in 2015 to improve the preserve's trail system with interpretive signs, kiosk postings, and building of short, raised walkways over seeps and drainage areas.

Funding is needed to support our website where we provide information about upcoming events, the history of the preserve, free educational materials, and online links for reporting wildlife sightings and species ID.

Last, funding is needed for the day-to-day work of trail maintenance, erosion control, invasive species removal, and seeding with native plants.