Sheri Capehart Nature Preserve's Journal

Using iNaturalist’s “Year in Review 2023” (https://www.inaturalist.org/stats/2023) as inspiration, we’ve taken a look at what happened at SCNP during 2023, as seen through iNaturalist Observations. To check out all the 2023 Observations at the Sheri Capehart Nature Preserve, (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2023-01-01&d2=2023-12-31&order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&project_id=sheri-capehart-nature-preserve)

First observation of 2023 - made by drawntoscales on January 1st: Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium)
Last observation of 2023 – made by drawntoscales on December 30: Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)
Top Observers for 2023

We held several events at the preserve in 2023 – Nature journaling in January and August, our Great Backyard Birdcount and a Winter Woody Plant ID in February, an evening Yucca Moth walk in May, an evening program on bats in October, session on Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in November. These events brought some new friends to the preserve and several of them were also introduced to iNaturalist.

And here's what we saw the most of in 2023:
Kingdom/Class Most Often Observed Species

Birds (Aves) Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
180 Observations, 62 Species

Mammals (Mammalia) Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
8 Observations, 4 Species

Insects (Insecta) Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
635 Observations, 236 Species

Spiders (Arachnida) Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)
34 Observations, 17 Species

Plants (Plantae) Glen Rose Yucca (Yucca necopina)
1491 Observations, 312 Species

Fungi including Lichens Splitgill Mushroom (Schizophyllum commune)
27 Observations, 15 Species

On November 8, the Southwest Nature Preserve was dedicated in honor of Sheri Capehart, a passionate environmentalist, animal lover and community leader who is also Arlington’s longest-serving City Council member.
The city of Arlington has a wonderful recording of the event, highlighting the Friends activities and contributions to maintaining the preserve as well as why the name Sheri Capehart was a perfect fit for naming the Preserve.

You've been to the Preserve and posted some observations there - now please join us for the dedication of our Historic Tree (the Caddo Oak) combined with our 6th Anniversary Celebration.
Saturday, October 26
10 am* - 11:30 am
Southwest Nature Preserve
5201 Bowman Springs Rd
Arlington, TX 76017

SWNP 6th Anniversary Event will feature the awarding of the historic tree designation for the Caddo Oak, a 200 plus year-old post oak (Quercus stellata). The designation will be presented by the Texas Historic Tree Coalition. The post oak was nominated by the Friends of Southwest Nature Preserve.

*The ceremony will be at the Caddo Oak tree, a .5 mile hike from the parking lot, so please allow about half an hour to reach the site. A shuttle will be available from the SWNP parking lot to the north gate, providing closer access to the ceremony site for those who want a shorter walk.

As always, the event is free and open to the public.

Contacts:
Texas Historic Tree Coalition, Mary Ann Graves: 214-232-7609

or
Friends of SWNP, Jim Frisinger: 682-352-6469