Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge -- The following is the Friends of Hagerman NWR Press Release. For more information about these events, please email: friendsofhagerman@gmail.com . 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.com.
Butterfly Garden
Like digging in your garden? Want to learn about native plants? Come join out Master Naturalists and Gardeners in maintaining the Butterfly Garden. For more information on volunteering, please email FriendsofHagerman@email.com 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.com for details and to join our team. Scouts welcome!
Activities & Events:
The Little Sit: January 3 at 7:00 a.m. 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 etc 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.
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
to be informed of location change) https://www.friendsofhagerman.com/event-6486768?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=12/26/2025
Or email: friendsofhagerman@gmail.com.
GPS Coordinates to Pad-H: 33.734961, -96.780582
Free and open to the public, funded by donations.
Early Bird Guided Walk.
Come walk on the wild side with Jack Chiles! Saturday January 10 at 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. 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 https://www.friendsofhagerman.com/event-6486769?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=12/26/2025
Second Saturday: Saturday, January 10 at 10:00 a.m.
Waterfowl with Dr. Wayne Meyer and 2025
Photo Contest Awards.
As winter nears, the waterfowl for which Hagerman NWR was originally established are migrating through or moving in! In this presentation, learn about all the geese and ducks that visit the refuge and why they are here.
Dr. Wayne Meyer, an ornithologist, began birding at the age of 13 in Connecticut. He has birded extensively on both coasts of the United States and has spent the past quarter century birding in Texas and Oklahoma.
Dr. Meyer has conducted extensive research on prairie birds and has been studying song learning and vocal
development in Painted Buntings for more than a decade. He is a sought-after speaker for Master Naturalist groups and a frequent presenter at the Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Second Saturday
programs.
Refuge Rocks for Kids: Saturday, January 17 at 10 a.m.
Refuge Rocks - Otterly Amazing Otters!
(Ages 5-10) Young nature lovers are invited to dive into the playful world of river otters at “Otterly Amazing Otters” This engaging youth class is designed especially for children ages 5–10.
During this interactive class, participants will learn all about the North American river otters that live on and
around the refuge. Through a short, age-appropriate mini lesson, children will discover what otters eat, where they live, how they move, and why they are important to healthy ecosystems.
The learning continues with a creative craft and a variety of fun, movement-based activities that reinforce key concepts and keep young minds engaged. Designed to spark curiosity and foster a love of wildlife, Otterly Amazing Otters blends education and play in a natural setting.
This class is perfect for young explorers who love animals, nature, and getting creative while learning about
the amazing wildlife found right here in North Texas. Free and open to the public, registration is required. https://www.friendsofhagerman.com/event-6490788?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=1/26/2026.
Donations are accepted to support this and other
events and programs sponsored by the Friends of Hagerman NWR.
Tram Tours every Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m
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.
