In the heart of North Oak Cliff, where apartments once stood, Twelve Hills Nature Center has transformed five acres into a thriving Blackland Prairie preserve that serves as an environmental oasis for Dallas's diverse urban community.
Since 2004, this remarkable sanctuary has become a beacon of hope for nature education, welcoming thousands of visitors annually to experience the calming beauty of native prairie ecosystems just steps from their neighborhoods.
Through monthly community programs and in-depth educational partnerships with local schools including Rosemont Primary, Elementary, and Middle Schools, as well as St. Cecilia Catholic School, Twelve Hills is cultivating the next generation of environmental stewards who understand the critical value of wild spaces in our urban landscape.
Your support directly fuels our mission to expand these transformative programs to reach even more schools and community organizations throughout Dallas. Every dollar invested in Twelve Hills creates ripple effects that extend far beyond our half-mile walking trail and butterfly garden – it nurtures young minds to become passionate advocates for conservation, provides accessible nature experiences for families who might otherwise lack these opportunities, and contributes to the vital restoration of Texas's endangered Blackland Prairie ecosystem.
In a city where green spaces are precious, Twelve Hills Nature Center stands as proof that dedicated conservation efforts can create lasting environmental and educational impact, but we need your support to grow our reach and deepen our community connections.
The mission of Twelve Hills Nature Center is to cultivate conservation ethics through our Blackland Prairie restoration and nature education.
Volunteers can help on work days every Sunday from 8:30 - 10:30 AM and speical workdays can be arranged for groups. To learn about volunteer opportunities, email twelvehillsnaturecenter@gmail.com.
Twelve Hills was established as a place of healing. It is a place where members of our community work together to restore an endangered ecosystem. This ecosystem not only provides habitat for wildlife, but also seeks to provide a place of connection for all people who visit. It is only with careful intention and directed efforts that a healthy diverse plant community can flourish in an urban area, and the same is true for communities of people.
Twelve Hills was founded as a place for everyone. We realize there are many reasons some members of our diverse community* haven't always felt welcome or safe in wilderness spaces. We must actively seek to create an inclusive environment, now and in the future. Twelve Hills Board of Directors is committed to creating a diverse inclusive culture across our board, our volunteers, our visitors and our programs.
We will more actively invite members of our diverse communities* to participate in and experience Twelve Hills Nature Center.
We will be more thoughtful in how we represent the Twelve Hills experience.
We will continue to learn about equity, diversity, and inclusion, systemic racism, and the experiences of our diverse community in relation to nature and the landscape.
*Members of our diverse communities are welcome at Twelve Hills as visitors, volunteers and board members, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, identity, socio-economic status, religion, age, or ability.
Organization name
Twelve Hills Nature Center
Causes
Environment & Conservation
Operating Budget
Less than $100,000
Counties Served
Dallas
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Native American
BIPOC Leadership
Neither/None
Address
PO Box 224926