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.
Adopt-A-Goose Fund Raiser
September 1 will be the final day to donate for 2025 migration
Each winter, thousands of Snow and Ross’s geese visit Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge (HNWR). These geese have migrated thousands of miles from nesting grounds near the Arctic Circle to HNWR. To provide a vital food resource for these exhausted and hungry travelers, HNWR plants fields of winter wheat. The Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge (FoH) is sponsoring the “Adopt a Goose” fund raiser to help offset budget constraints of the refuge and purchase the wheat seed needed to plant the fields. Please consider supporting our effort with your generous donation. For more information or to make a donation, go to https://www.friendsofhagerman.com/Adopt-A-Goose
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!
Activities & Events
The Little Sit: August 2 at 6:15 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. 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 https://www.friendsofhagerman.com/event-5964078?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=5/22/2025 (registering is recommended) to be informed of location change). Or email: friendsofhagerman@gmail.com.
GPS Coordinates to Pad-H: 33.734961, -96.780582
Early Bird Guided Walks will resume in the fall.
August 5th 10am – 11:30 Meet at the Visitor Center: Want to be a Wildlife Explorer Tram Tour Drive and Guide? Meet visitors from around the world and share your love of nature! You'll receive thorough training on the refuge’s fascinating history, and you can tailor your tours to match your interests—whether it's wildlife, birds, habitats, refuge history, photography, or more. Join Bert Garcia, Chair of the Tram Committee, for an informative session and a ride on the Wildlife Explorer Tram. Take a tour, ask questions, and see if becoming a tram guide is the right fit for you! Register https://friendsofhagerman.com/event-6252881?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=7/18/2025
Second Saturday
Saturday August 9 at 10:00 a.m. - Dragonflies and Damselflies with Dr. Wayne Meyer
Please join us for August’s Second Saturday Program by Dr. Wayne Meyer. Fun Facts: Did you know that there are over 5,000 species of dragonflies and they all belong to the order Odonata, which means "toothed one" in Greek or that some species of dragonfly live only a few weeks, while others can live up to a year. Come hear Dr. Meyer talk about how dragonflies and damselflies live and a discussion of some of the ones that live on Hagerman NWR.
Butterfly Garden Stroll: August 9 and August 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Enjoy the Butterfly Garden at Hagerman NWR.
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.
Refuge Rocks for Kids: Saturday Refuge Rocks
Refuge Rocks - Let's Learn About Moths (Ages 5-10) August 16th from 10am to 11:30am. Ever spotted moths throwing a wild dance party around the lights at night? But wait—what exactly are these fuzzy party crashers, and how do they compare to their glamorous butterfly cousins? Buckle up, because this lesson is about to take you on a moth-tastic journey! We’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of moth life cycles with their four fabulous stages: egg, caterpillar, pupa (or cocoon), and the dazzling adult moth. We’ll also uncover their quirky traits like those funky antennae and wing patterns, explore the stars of the moth world (hello, Luna and silk moths!), and reveal how they navigate the night using their super sniffer! Plus, get ready for some fun with moth-themed crafts, live moth spotting (if the little guys cooperate!), and lively chats about their amazing adaptations. Let the moth mayhem begin! Sign up for this class and reserve your kiddo's spot for this fun class! Registration required https://friendsofhagerman.com/event-6244642?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=8/18/2025
Photo Club Activities: None in August.
Tram Tours
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.
