Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary |
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| Location | Mckinney, Collin County, Texas, United States |
| Area | 289 acres (117 ha) |
| Established | 1967 |
The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is a special place in McKinney, Texas. It's a private, non-profit organization that started in 1967. Imagine a huge area with 289 acres of land just for wildlife! It has five miles of hiking trails, lots of wetlands, a beautiful two-acre garden with native plants, and even a butterfly house. You can also see live animals and explore cool indoor and outdoor exhibits. Over 100,000 people visit the Heard every year, making it a very popular spot in McKinney.
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Discovering the Heard's History
The Heard Museum was founded by a wonderful woman named Miss Bessie Heard (1886–1988). She was 80 years old when she realized how important it was to save a natural space for future generations. She wanted kids and families to always have a place to connect with nature. The museum first opened its doors on October 1, 1967.
The main goals of the Heard are simple but powerful:
- Education: Teaching people about nature and science.
- Conservation: Protecting natural resources and wildlife.
- Preservation: Keeping natural areas safe for the future.
What Can You Explore at the Heard?
The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary covers 289 acres, which is a huge area for exploring! Here, you can walk on trails, join fun educational programs, and even help with conservation projects. The sanctuary has five different natural areas, called habitats. These include:
- Blackland prairie: A wide-open grassland.
- Wetlands: Areas where the land is covered by water, like swamps or marshes.
- Bottomland forest: Forests found in river valleys.
- Upland forest: Forests on higher ground.
- White rock escarpment: A steep slope or cliff made of white rock.
The Heard is also recognized by The Audubon Society as an important place for birds. Texas is great for bird-watching because many birds fly through it on their long journeys. The Heard is a special spot for bird-watching, especially since it's close to a big city.
You can also visit the Heard's Pioneer Village. This village has eight small buildings that look like the homes and shops people used to live in on the prairie in the late 1800s. It's like stepping back in time!
Exciting Outdoor Exhibits to See
The Heard has many cool outdoor areas to explore:
- Animal Encounter Trail: Meet some of the Heard's animal residents.
- Native Plant Garden: See beautiful plants that naturally grow in Texas.
- Butterfly Garden: A lovely spot where butterflies love to visit.
- Native Texas Butterfly House: (Open in summer) Walk among hundreds of native butterflies.
- Dinosaurs Live! Life-Size Animatronic Dinosaurs: (September-February) See giant, moving dinosaurs! Check their website for exact dates.
- Pioneer Village: Explore buildings that look like old prairie settlements.
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Pioneer Village
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Butterfly House and Garden
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Animals of the World
Cool Indoor Exhibits to Discover
Inside the museum, you'll find fascinating exhibits:
- Native Texas Snakes: Learn about the snakes that live in Texas.
- Mosasaur Exhibit: See fossils and learn about this giant ancient marine reptile.
- Living Lab: This area shows off the different ecosystems found at the Heard. You can also see a working bee hive and native fish.
- Marine Shell Room: Discover a collection of shells from the ocean.
- Project Passenger Pigeon: Learn about the passenger pigeon, a bird that sadly went extinct.
Fun Programs and Activities for Everyone
The Heard offers many activities for all ages:
- Hiking on six nature trails: Explore over 5 miles of beautiful trails.
- EcoAdventures: Go canoeing in the Heard Wetlands.
- Scouting Workshops: Special programs for scout groups.
- Second Saturday Bird Walk: Join experts to spot different birds.
- Night Hikes: Explore the trails after dark and see nocturnal animals.
- Bird Banding Station: Learn how scientists study birds. This station started in 1978 and is the oldest in Texas!
- Education programs: Fun and informative classes about nature.
- Field trips: Great for school groups to learn outside the classroom.
- Summer Camps: Spend your summer learning about wildlife and nature.
- Programs for Kids: Special activities designed just for younger visitors.
- Volunteer programs: Help out at the Heard and make a difference.
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Canoeing at the Heard
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Board Walk on the Wood Duck Trail
Exciting Events and Festivals Throughout the Year
The Heard hosts several special events:
- Holidays at the Heard
Every December, the Heard lights up for "Holidays at the Heard." It's one of the most beautiful holiday light displays in North Texas!
- Halloween at the Heard
This annual event is a super fun and family-friendly way to celebrate Halloween.
- Date Night at the Heard
"Date Night at the Heard" is an outdoor event for adults (21+). It's a fundraiser with live music, dancing, and food trucks.
- Annual Heard Nature Photography Contest
If you love taking pictures of nature, you might enjoy the Heard Nature Photographers Club. It started in 1981 and meets every second Saturday of the month at the museum. They also hold an annual photography contest!
More to Explore
- List of nature centers in Texas
- List of museums in North Texas
- McKinney, Texas
- Collin County, Texas
- Perot Museum of Nature and Science
- Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
