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
There is something for everyone at Hagerman! From Bat & Monarch monitoring to greeting visitors and being a tram tour guide, get more information at https://friendsofhagerman.com/Volunteer.
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: October 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 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://friendsofhagerman.com/event-6498635?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=8/28/2026
Or email: friendsofhagerman@gmail.com.
GPS Coordinates to Pad-H: 33.734961, -96.780582
Free and open to the public, funded by donations.
October 10 Early Bird Guided Walk: 8am – meet at the Visitor Center. Come walk on the wild side and discover the birds of Hagerman!
Join Dr. Wayne Meyer, ornithologist, and Master Naturalist Jack Chiles for a guided bird walk along the Harris Creek Trail every Second Saturday, weather permitting. This easy, flat, well-maintained trail makes for a relaxed and enjoyable walk as you spot birds and other wildlife along the way. The group will return in time for the Second Saturday nature program.
Binoculars are available to borrow—just bring your curiosity and a bottle of water!
Registration is recommended to receive event updates and weather-related notifications.
Free and open to the public. Donations are accepted to support this and other events and programs sponsored by the Friends of Hagerman NWR.
REFUGE ROUND UP – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10TH, AN ALL-DAY CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL REFUGE WEEK!
10am. Climate Change. What scientist have learned plus Personal Experience – Professor George Diggs.
10:30 am, 12:30pm and 2pm: Tram Tours (Reservations Required) https://friendsofhagerman.com/sys/website/?pageId=18102
10am to noon and 1pm to 3pm: Children’s Activities with Puddles in the Pavillion and Master Storyteller Doris Haynie at noon at the Visitor Center Patio
11am to 2pm: Ice Hole Food Truck
11:30 to 12:30: Sparrows by Dr. Wayne Meyer
12:45 to 1:45: Snakes – Yes, there will be live snakes!
1pm to 3pm: Butterfly Garden Walk and Monarch Tagging
2pm to 3pm: Spiders! Come see and hear about these wonderful arachnids
Refuge Rocks: Saturday October 17 at 10am.
Refuge Rocks FREE Youth Program for ages 5 - 10: Creatures of the NIGHT!! When the sun goes down, a whole new world wakes up! Young nature explorers are invited to uncover the secrets of nighttime wildlife at Creatures of the Night, a hands-on children’s program at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge.
During this fun and educational program, participants will learn about nocturnal animals and how they are specially adapted to survive and thrive in the dark. Through an age-appropriate mini lesson, kids will explore how animals use keen senses, camouflage, and clever behaviors to navigate the nighttime world.
Blending science, creativity, and discovery, Creatures of the Night invites kids to see nature from a whole new perspective—even in the dark!
Refuge Clean-up: Saturday October 17 at 8am
Bring gloves, bucket and picker if you have them. And water of course! We will meet at the VC and form groups. These cleanups are always a blast, and many hands make light work. Bring a friend and let's keep the Refuge beautiful. Scouts welcome! Ranger Beard will be on hand to sign for community service hours.
Butterfly Garden Stroll: Butterfly Garden is always open, sun-up to sun-set!!
Tram Tours –Reserve a tram tour for 6 to 8 guests Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm
Enjoy a 60 – 90-minute tour along Wildlife Drive at the Refuge. Learn about the history of the displaced town of Hagerman while watching for wildlife. Lots of stops for birdwatching and photography. Reservations required Funded by donations.
