The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge invite everyone to join in the celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week during a day packed with free nature events and programs for the entire family.
On October 13, 2012, the Refuge will host “Super Saturday” at the Refuge Visitor Center featuring birding, butterfly, and dragonfly walks; nature talks on backyard birds in fall, shorebirds, rainwater harvesting, digital birding, and canoeing; nature crafts for all ages including making a window feather-guard to help prevent bird strikes, building native wildflower “seed bombs” to plant in your yard, and crafting origami critters.
Want to learn how to tie flies for fishing or attract birds to your backyard? You can do that, too. Plus, a new film highlighting the story of legendary environmentalist Aldo Leopold will be shown at the Refuge Visitor Center at 2:00pm.
The day kicks off with a guided bird walk at 9:00 a.m. and a different activity starts every hour until 4:00 p.m. Live birds of prey from the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center will be available to see and photograph from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on the back patio at the Visitor Center. A variety of food, snacks, and drinks will be available for purchase from the Sherman Noon Lions Club from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., or you are welcome to bring your own food and picnic at outdoor tables that will be available. For a complete list of schedule of events, times, and meeting locations, please visit www.friendsofhagerman.com, or call the Refuge at 903-786-2826.
Established in 1946, the 11,320 acre Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, located about 15 minutes northwest of Sherman, Texas, provides habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 34 mammals, 65 reptiles and amphibians, and 62 fish. The Refuge’s land and water management activities such as farming, prescribed burning, and maintaining shallow water impoundments are designed to improve migratory bird habitat and to benefit all Refuge species. Hiking, driving along a wildlife drive, wildlife photography, fishing and hunting are all offered at the Refuge.
Open from daylight until dark every day, there is no charge to visit the Refuge. The Visitor Center is open Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m.
There are 550 national wildlife refuges across the country, offering a variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, environmental education, wildlife observation and photography. Many wildlife refuges also offer nature hikes, bird watching tours, wildlife drives and trails, and other adventures. Each year, about 40 million Americans discover the wonders of nature by visiting a wildlife refuge. There is at least one wildlife refuge in every state and one within an hour’s drive of most major cities.