Twelve Hills Nature Center is a five-acre urban preserve located near the Bishop Arts District, operated as a nonprofit center by volunteers. Created on a site where rundown apartments once stood, Twelve Hills is a place where people can easily walk though a prairie area, local schools can visit an outdoor classroom, and the community can learn about nature and environmental stewardship through volunteering and through public nature walks.

The center’s uniqueness lies in rolling terrain that sets it apart from most of the surrounding flatter land. Walking the site, visitors can feel the up and down hilly terrain. The topography lends itself to multiple uses, and there is a small creek in the southwest corner that allows for habitat enhancement.

The beautiful entrance includes a large garden of native plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The land is being restored to a native blackland prairie plant community. The improved habitat is an oasis in the center of Dallas, providing shelter and food for migrating and resident birds, monarchs and other butterflies and wildlife.

Location: 817 Mary Cliff Rd., Dallas. For more information, call 469-249-2817 or visit TwelveHills.org.