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: September 5 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.
September 5 10:00 a.m. – Photo club Meeting: 19th Annual Photo Contest.
There are a few changes in entering and submitting your photos this year. Will cover how to enter the contest, tips on choosing your best photos and the best category. Understand what the judges look for in choosing the winners. Membership not required – open to the public. https://friendsofhagerman.com/event-6776622?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=9/28/2026
September 12 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.
Second Saturday: Saturday, September 12 at 10am. Native Orchids in Your Neighbor with Carol Clark.
Did you know North Central Texas has wild native orchids? Some are more common than you think. This program explores the Ladies' Tresses (Spiranthes genus) of native orchids and all their associated weirdness, and touches on some of the beautiful rarer orchids in North Texas and an invasive orchid making its way across Texas. We'll give you tips for spotting and IDing them near you. A cheat sheet for identifying the local Spiranthes species is included. https://friendsofhagerman.com/Second-Saturday
Carol Clark is an amateur botany enthusiast, a Texas Master Naturalist, a longtime member of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a Conservation Specialist with Monarch Watch.
She also co-administrates the Texas Native Bee Co-op Facebook page, and chairs the Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas committee. She and her husband own and operate Clark Haven Farm, a wildlife preserve and custom wildflower seed business in Cooke County.
Refuge Rocks: Saturday September 19 at 10am. Refuge Rocks FREE Youth Program:
Wonderful Water! From falling rain to flowing streams, water is always on the move! Young nature explorers are invited to dive into the science of water at Wonderful Water, an engaging children’s program at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. This hands-on class will take place Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 10:00–11:30 a.m. and is designed for youth ages 5–10.
During this interactive program, participants will explore the amazing journey of water through the water cycle, learn about local watersheds, and discover the aquatic ecosystems that depend on clean, healthy water. Through an age-appropriate mini lesson, kids will see how water connects clouds, land, plants, animals—and people. The program includes:
• A fun, educational lesson on the water cycle and watersheds
• A creative, water-themed craft to take home
• A hands-on activity that brings aquatic ecosystems to life
Refuge Clean-up: Saturday September 19 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: Saturday, September 12 and Saturday, September 26 from 9am to 11am.
Garden docents will be on hand to help identify the Texas native plants and visiting butterflies. Literature on plants and butterflies will be available. Special activities for families: scavenger hunts, the Metamorphosis Puppet and more. Registration is not necessary.
The garden is free of charge and open to the public from sunrise to sunset every day of the year.
Donations are accepted to support the Butterfly Garden, Garden Walks and other events and programs sponsored by the Friends of Hagerman NWR.
Tram Tours – due to summer heat, tram tours are by special request. Reserve a tram tour for 6 to 8 guests for weekdays and Saturday morning.
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 at https://friendsofhagerman.com/Group-Tram, Funded by donations.
