The following is the Friends of Hagerman NWR Press Release. For more information about these events, please email: Friendsofhagerman@gmail.org. All events are sponsored by the Friends of Hagerman and occur at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center: 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX 75092, unless stated otherwise.
Volunteers Needed:
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center Greeters
Meet and greet people from all over the world while giving out information about the refuge and wildlife. Hand out maps and make sales in the Nature Nook. Come and join our team! For more information, please email Friendsofhagerman@gmail.org.
Butterfly Garden
Like digging in your garden? Want to learn about native plants? Come join our Master Naturalists and Gardeners in maintaining the Butterfly Garden. For more information on volunteering, please email Friendsofhagerman@gmail.org for details.
Outdoor Crew
Do you enjoy working outside, mowing, sprucing up hiking trails, trimming and removing brush and general cleanup? Join the Outdoor Crew at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. The Outdoor Crew meets on the First Tuesday and Fourth Saturday of every month. Please email friendsofhagerman@gmail.org for details and to join our team. Scouts welcome!
Butterfly Garden Docents
Butterfly Garden Docents Needed! Training class April 12 from 1pm to 4pm. Registration is recommended https://friendsofhagerman.com/event-6125903?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=4/23/2025
· Learn about all things butterflies and be able to identify the most common species see in our garden
· Learn about monarch tagging and the plight of the monarch butterflies.
· Learn about native plants for feeding and breeding.
· Attend training and monthly educational meetings April through October (choose between Saturday and some weekday meetings in the afternoon, usually about 2 hours).
· Sign up to host regularly scheduled Garden Walks and/or special walks like Mother’s Day.
For more information, contact:
Kim Tingle at info@friendsofhagerman.org
Activities & Events:
The Little Sit: April 5th at 6:45am Pad-H on the West side of Hagerman NWR
If you want to learn how to identify the birds of North Texas, the "Little Sit" is the perfect way to start.
Meet the Bird Census Team while learning how to identify the birds of North Texas, and enjoy the beautiful sunrise over Lake Texoma! Modeled after Cornell's national "Big Sit" event, a group of dedicated birders invite you to join them at sunrise to conduct a bird count as multiple species fly to the water and the surrounding land to feed. Leaders will bring spotting scopes and will provide tips for identification of the many species you will see. This event lasts a couple of hours, but all are welcome to come and go as they please. Participants are advised to bring a chair, binoculars and water. Free and open to the public, funded by donations.
We meet on the first Saturday of each month, 30 minutes before sunrise to watch the birds come into the water and begin to feed. We usually stay out for 2-3 hours, but you are welcome for all or part of the Sit.
For more information, a map to Pad-H and to register to receive event updates (registering is recommended) https://friendsofhagerman.com/event-5964077?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=3/7/2025
to be informed of location change). Or email:
GPS Coordinates to Pad-H: 33.734961, -96.780582
Early Bird Guided Walk. Come walk on the wild side with Jack Chiles! Saturday April12th at 8am to 9:30am Master Naturalist Jack Chiles will lead this Early Bird Walk, weather permitting. Participants will view birds and wildlife along Harris Creek Trail, walking about two miles, and returning to the Visitor Center in time for the Second Saturday program. Register to receive event updates in case of inclement weather
https://friendsofhagerman.com/event-6065836?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=4/23/2025
Second Saturday: Saturday April 12th at 10am. Birding by Ear with Dr. Wayne Meyer
Observing birds requires more than just seeing them. When you learn to recognize their songs, you will find more birds and gain more knowledge about where to find them. Top birders hear more birds first than they see first. Come learn a few of the common birds around the refuge and improve your spotting skills.
In 1993, Dr. Wayne Meyer finally achieved his life’s dream of being paid to look at birds when he joined the faculty of Austin College. He has birded both coasts of the U.S. extensively and now has spent a quarter century birding in Texas and Oklahoma. The proximity of Austin College to Hagerman NWR has made research on prairie birds easy and convenient and he has been studying song learning and singing in Painted Buntings for over a decade. Meyer is also a sought-after speaker for Master Naturalist groups and a frequent speaker at the Friends of Hagerman NWR second Saturday programs.
“Moon Shoot”: April 12th at 7:15pm. Come on out and join Hagerman’s Photo Club for some great full moon shots. Free – everyone welcome. Check out our website for more details as they become available https://friendsofhagerman.com/event-6122367?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=4/24/2025 or email FOHPhotoclub@friendsofhagerman.org
Refuge Rocks for Kids: Saturday April 19th at 10am. Refuge Rocks. Refuge Rocks - Eggcellent Eggs!
Did you know that every single day, millions of eggs are being laid all around the globe? Get ready to crack into our Eggcellent Eggs class, where we’ll dive into the egg-citing universe of eggs! We’ll uncover their origins, break down their anatomy (shell, white, and yolk!). Watch the magical moment baby animals burst into the world, and explore the egg-ceptional variety from different birds. Plus, we’ll whip up some fun with visuals and hands-on activities—like cracking open eggs to peek inside! It’s going to be eggstraordinary!
Let’s learn about eggs with a short lesson, some fun games and activities, as well as a fun craft! Come join us on April 19 for a free class for youth ages 5-10. Registration required https://friendsofhagerman.com/event-6035488?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=4/23/2025
Spring Turkey Hunt: April 22nd – 24th. The following units will be closed; Big Mineral, Sandy, Godwin, Goode, Meyers, and SE Harris Creek Units.
Tram Tours every Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm
Enjoy a 60 – 90-minute tour along Wildlife Drive at the Refuge. Enjoy learning about the history of the displaced town of Hagerman while watching for wildlife. Lots of stops for birdwatching and photography. Reservations required. Standbys are accepted if space permits. Free and open to the public. Funded by donations. https://www.friendsofhagerman.com/Tram-Tours.
Butterfly Garden Stroll: Discontinued until Spring 2025. The garden is free of charge and open to the public from sunrise to sunset every day of the year.
