Friends of Hagerman NWR upcoming events

Butterfly Garden Walk (August 08, 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

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.

Join us with membership today to receive the monthly Featherless Flyer newsletter with nature articles, program information, updated events and other important refuge information!

Photo of American Lady Butterfly by Laurie Sheppard

Birds Are Amazing Flying Dinosaurs with Dr. Thomas Stidham (August 08, 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Dr. Thomas Stidham will talk about some of the different lines of evidence from anatomy, behavior, and the fossil record that demonstrates that birds are very diverse living dinosaurs.

Note: This is a repeat of the Bird Festival presentation on May 16, 2026.

Dr. Thomas Stidham is an evolutionary biologist and paleontologist who is fascinated by bird biology and evolution from their dinosaurian origins to today. During his career as a professor at Texas A&M University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and now Austin College, he has published scientific research on birds from the Arctic to the Antarctic. In addition to his main work on birds, Tom’s broad natural history perspective also has resulted in research publications on insects, mammals, reptiles, plants, and much more, including the discovery of new species in Texas and elsewhere. As a professor at Austin College, Dr. Stidham engages an active student body in exciting biology courses, mentors students in independent research projects in his lab, and continues his scientific collaborations around the globe.

Registration is not necessary—all are welcome! But if any of these programs spark your curiosity, signing up will get you a friendly reminder three days beforehand. You’ll also receive our once-a-month Featherless Flyer newsletter—no email overload, and it’s easy to unsubscribe anytime.

Refuge Cleanup (August 15, 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Join the Refuge Cleanup!

Every 3rd Saturday

Bring gloves, bucket and picker if you have them. 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.

Photo by Pam Rendall-Bass

Refuge Rocks FREE Youth Program: Dig It! The Amazing World Under Our Feet (Ages 5-10) (August 15, 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

It may look like “just dirt,” but soil is alive with secrets! Young nature explorers are invited to get their hands dirty at Dig It! The Amazing World Under Our Feet, a hands-on, sensory-driven environmental science program at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. This interactive class will take place Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 10:00–11:30 a.m. and is designed for youth ages 5–10.

During this engaging program, participants will discover that soil is a living ecosystem that plays a vital role in nature. Through an age-appropriate mini lesson and hands-on exploration, kids will learn how soil helps grow food, filters water and provides homes for countless tiny creatures right beneath our feet.

The program includes:

A fun, educational lesson about soil and why it matters
A creative, soil-themed craft to take home
A hands-on activity that encourages sensory exploration and discovery

Blending science, creativity, and outdoor learning, Dig It! helps young learners see the ground beneath them in a whole new way.

Space is limited. Advance registration is encouraged.

So grab your curiosity and your sense of adventure—it’s time to Dig It!

Photo Club Meeting: (September 05, 2026)

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

There are a few changes in entering and submitting your photos this year. Will cover how to enter the contest. Also, tips on choosing your best photos and the best category. Understand what the judges look for in choosing the winners.

View Contest Rules

Note new meeting time

Event Leader: Nancy Miller

photoclub@friendsofhagerman.org