November - December 2008

Dinosaurs Alive!
Extended through Feb. 1

Due to popular demand, the exhibit Dinosaurs Alive! Life-sized Animatronic Dinosaurs at the Heard, featuring 12 dinosaurs, has been extended through February 1st. If you haven’t had time to visit yet, or if you wish to have another opportunity to view this exciting outdoor exhibit, the Heard welcomes you to stop by before the dinosaurs once again go extinct! Tickets are only the general admission of $8 for adults and $5 for kids 3-12 and seniors. Visitors will also have the opportunity to see the Animals of the World exhibit, the Heard’s Living Lab, and hike all of the Heard’s beautiful trails at no extra cost!

New Exhibit Coming Soon

Please take note that some of the Heard indoor museum exhibit space will close beginning January 2009 for renovations and will reopen in the spring.

During this time, visitors will still be able to enjoy the Living Lab, hike our trails, and see Animals of the World: A Conservation Exhibit. Through February 1, visitors to the Heard will also be able to view Dinosaurs Alive! Life-sized Animatronic Dinosaurs at the Heard.

Stay-tuned for a brand new, never-before-seen spring exhibit at the Heard—it may just make your eyes sparkle!

Become an Official
Heard Trail Guide!

Do you love nature, hiking, and meeting new people? Become a Heard Trail Guide! Trail guides are needed throughout the year to lead groups and individuals on nature trails. No experience is required, and training is provided through the Heard Volunteer Institute.

Sign up now to participate in trail guide volunteer training in late winter/early spring! Training for this program is only offered during this time of year, so you must act now.

The Heard Institute is a training program that seeks to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of our natural world! The Heard offers Forestry Trail Guide courses, Prairie Trail Guide courses, and Wetlands Trail Guide courses.

If you do not already volunteer at the Heard, you must first complete the volunteer application and contact the Heard’s Volunteer Coordinator, Beverly Halperin, at bhalperin@heardmuseum.org. If you are a Heard volunteer, but you have not been trained as a trail guide, please notify Schelly Corry at scorry@heardmuseum.org.

Be an official Heard Trail Guide:

• Complete the volunteer application and background check
• Attend general volunteer orientation
  
• Attend trail guide orientation through the Heard Institute
  
• Attend trail training class of your choice: Hoot Owl, Red Tail & Laughlin Loop, Wood Duck or Sycamore Trails
  
• Complete two trail observation with an experienced trail guide or staff member
  
• Lead a guided trail with the Trail Guide Trainer

Check out our website for more information on dates and other Heard Institute Training opportunities.

Erin Shafranek

The 2009 Photography Contest is just around the corner! Now is the time to make sure you have the perfect picture to submit. Choose from numerous different photographic categories within these themes: wild nature, shared world, artistic, creative interpretation, and nature experiences at the Heard.

The Heard is looking forward to another successful event with our affinity group, the Heard Nature Photographer's Club. All proceeds from the contest will help to support and maintain the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary.

The photography contest submission dates, category details, entry fees, registration forms and other pertinent information can be found at www.heardmuseum.org/PhotoContest.asp. Additional information and contest forms can also be found at: www.heardnaturephotographers.com.

Photos on Display
March 1 – March 27

Mail-In Submission
Must be received between February 1 – February 14, 2009. You may call the Heard to see if your photos have been received.

In-Person Submission
Saturday February 7, 9 am-1 pm
Sunday February 8, 1 pm – 4:30 pm
Saturday February 14, 9 am – 12:30 pm

Reception
March 1, 2009

Registration for Summer Camps
Coming Soon

The days of kids spending their summer enjoying the outdoors are not lost to the past. An amazing season of Heard Summer Camps awaits—including two new summer camps! Kids ages 5-12 will get an in-depth education indoors and outdoors on our 289-acre sanctuary.

Participating campers will also have the opportunity to see the summer exhibits.

Summer camps will be available in June through August. Watch our website for details regarding camp descriptions and schedules—coming soon!

Annual Spring Native Plant Sale
Including Heirloom Plants
Friday, April 17, 4-7PM – Members Only
Saturday, April 18 (9AM-5PM) – Sunday, April 19 (1PM-5PM) – Open to Public Days

Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Heard’s Annual Spring Native Plant Sale! Each year for the past 20 years, veteran and novice gardeners alike anticipate this rare opportunity to purchase plants from a huge selection of hard-to-find herbs, native and well-adapted plants.

This year, the heard will also sell heirloom plants—cultivars that were commonly grown in earlier periods, but which are not commonly used in modern agriculture. Many gardeners find heirloom plants to be beneficial for their sturdiness, beauty, adaptability to their surroundings, and their ability to increase gene pool for particular plant varieties. Many gardeners also believe that by using heirloom plants, they are adhering to a more traditional organic gardening method. Some gardeners also enjoy the taste of different varieties of vegetables and also enjoy the challenge of growing a rare variety of plant.

This collection of plants will provide some of the best plants for north central Texas gardens and an opportunity to obtain many rare plants. Watch our website for more details coming soon!

2009 Preschool Program
January 13 - April 16

Do you remember how fascinating it was to explore your yard as a child? Or, maybe you have witnessed the joy that your children have experienced as a ladybug landed on their arms!

Now is the time to encourage your preschooler’s love of nature! Preschool children will have the opportunity to come together and explore all that the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary has to offer. In each class, your child will be engaged in hands-on learning experiences that promote an early connection to nature.

Snakes, butterflies, water, weather, and worms are just a few of the subjects your child will learn about. Each themed program is designed to captivate the curious nature of young children. Preschoolers will enjoy engaging demonstrations, perform simple experiments, and will discover how science can help us to better understand our natural world. Your preschooler will also have the opportunity to meet other children who are interested in science.

Using observation, “hands on” activities in the classroom and seeing live wild animals up-close, the children will learn to connect their experience on the forest trails, prairie and ponds using all of their senses and learned scientific methods.

Sign up now! Classes begin January 13th. For more information, application form, and instructions: www.heardmuseum.org/attractions/Moppets.asp

Home School Science Program

Immerse your student in the natural sciences at the Heard’s Home School Science Program. Within the distinctive settings of the Heard Natural Science Museum’s diverse exhibits and 289-acre sanctuary, your child will experience learning through classroom activities, outdoor field investigations, laboratory science, small group activities and take-home study packets. Each course curriculum is developed by the Heard Museum's education staff, each of whom strives to recognize and meet the needs of home school families. All curricula are based on current scientific theory. The Home School Science Program is appropriate for children ages 5-12. Beginning January 13, classes meet one day a week (Tuesday or Thursday) for two hours.

Visit our website for complete class offerings and registration information.

Night Hikes at the Heard

Though some humans may find the darkness of night to be a limiting factor to productivity, plants and animals have shrewdly adapted ways to use the nighttime to their advantage. This adaptation can allow plants and animals many benefits such as avoiding certain predators and easier regulation of their body temperature. In some dry locations, this adaptation can also prevent these life forms from losing precious water from their bodies through evaporation. Because of their enhanced senses of hearing and smell, these nocturnal animals can be just as active as their daytime counterparts.

Night Hikes at the Heard Natural Science Museum offer a way to sneak a peek into this nocturnal world and experience nature in a whole new way! Night Hikes are also a great way to have a unique adventure close to home. If you would like to make a reservation or book a private night hike, please email Steffanie Mann at smann@heardmuseum.org. Private night hikes for your group or school are also available. Night Hikes are offered at $12 per person; however, members can enjoy this experience at only $10 per person. Payment is required to reserve your spot. All Night Hikes depart from the museum and will last 60 to 90 minutes.

Prescheduled night hikes are available on the following dates:

Winter Night Hike - January 17th, 2009 6:45pm start

Spring Night Hike - April 11th, 2009 7:30pm start

Recommended Items:

• Bug Spray
• Long Pants
• Closed Toed Shoes
• Flashlight with Red Lens
• Bottle of Water
• A Sense of Adventure!
  

Experience the Nature of Big Bend
April 1-5, 2009

Lead by Roger Sanderson, Heard Museum Director of Botanic Gardens and Wildlife Biologist, an exciting itinerary is planned for the Big Bend trip this spring. Hike through shady forested areas of majestic Ponderosa Pine and along a forty-foot intermittent waterfall located in the Pine Canyon. Enjoy excellent birding opportunities. View curiously beautiful rock formations, perfect for photographers and nature lovers.

You will be immersed in the enormity of Big Bend. You may even have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of a black bear or mountain lion! Under Roger’s guidance, you will see, learn about, and appreciate things most people would not normally notice on their own.

For the most exciting nature experience you have ever had, reserve your spot today! Visit our website to view complete itinerary, details, and reservation deadlines.

Take a Hike! For Your Community

On March 28th, Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary and The Volunteer Center of McKinney will host a new collaborative community fundraiser called Take a Hike! For Your Community. This unique hiking event will allow the community to simultaneously support many of the outstanding local non-profit organizations. This event will also include a breakfast, a Volunteer Fair, and a kid’s area with kite-flying. Watch our website for complete details coming soon!

Ropes Course
Open to the Public Day

The Heard Ropes course will host another Open to the Public Day on January 17 from 9AM to 5PM. Experience the Zip line, Rock Climb and Dangle Duo! Adults and children ages 7 and older may participate. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Guests will enjoy this event on a first come, first serve basis. Details

Attention Plant Lovers:
Learn New Gardening Techniques for Free

Roger Sanderson, Director of Botanic Gardens and Wildlife Biologist is coordinating and creating new designs for gardens and plantings around the buildings. These projects include creating a Sanctuary Garden just outside the museum to illustrate many of the species that visitors will encounter on our trails, revitalization of the Cactus/Desert Garden in front of the SRC, and the creation of a new landscape design to improve the entrance to the SRC. The new Butterfly Garden, which surrounds the new Butterfly House that was constructed this summer, has been designed. Most of this garden was installed October 25th by volunteers during the McKinney Make A Difference Day Program.

Roger is also designing an impressive formal entrance to the museum on Country Club Drive (FM 1378) and a newly landscaped area around the front gate.

The Native Plant Garden will be restored to native Texas plants. Currently, this garden hosts a few non-native, but drought resistant, varieties. This garden will provide inspiration to those garden enthusiasts looking for ecologically friendly ideas for their own landscapes!

After the previously mentioned projects have been completed, Roger also plans to extensively label garden and trail plants. This project will make these resources an even more valuable educational experience for visitors. The Heard is gratefully seeking donations from the public to purchase labels for this project.

These projects require resources, time, and funding and the Heard will need your help to accomplish this. Volunteers are also important to these projects. For information on becoming a Heard Native Plant Garden Volunteer, Nature Sanctuary Restoration Volunteer, or to find information on donating to Heard programs, please visit our website. (link)

As we journey into 2009, the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is experiencing an exciting time of expansion. The museum has added new education programs, more exhibits than ever before, a new ropes course, and even a new amphitheater! New garden plans and sanctuary labeling projects are also in development.

Events and Activities at a Glance:

• Due to popular demand, the exhibit Dinosaurs Alive! Life-sized Animatronic Dinosaurs at the Heard, featuring 12 dinosaurs, has been extended through February 1st. Details
• The indoor museum exhibit space will close beginning January 2009 for renovations and will reopen in the spring. Watch for updates
• In the spring, the Heard will again host your favorite annual events such as the Heard Photo Contest, Spring Native Plant Sale, 3rd Annual Green Living Family Festival, and Heard Summer Camps (watch for updates).
• In addition to our recurring events, the Heard and The Volunteer Center of McKinney will host a new collaborative community fundraiser called Take a Hike! For Your Community.
• This time of expansion is a great time for volunteers because there is an unprecedented variety of opportunities. There is something for everyone!
  

Check Out Our New
Animal Care Wish-List!

The Heard always welcomes the support of the public. The Heard Staff knows that, often, many of our supporters would like to contribute items that they already have in their possession, but they do not know if these items would be of use to the museum. Also, you may be interested in making a monetary gift to the museum, but would like to know what this gift is going towards.

The Heard has created a new Animal Care Wish-list to help the public understand some of our needs with regards to Animal Care. The items on this list are all important to enhance the lives of the animals at the Heard through mental stimulation and health enrichment. You may even have a few of these items sitting in your garage or attic and have been meaning to get rid of them! If you are interested in helping the Heard with animal care needs, check out this list.

A New, Easy Way to be
Environmentally Responsible
and Support the Heard

The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is participating in a recycling program called Cartridges for Kids. The museum will receive money based on the particular items collected from donations. Many of these items are often simply thrown in the trash. By donating them to the Heard, you will be environmentally responsible, while providing an excellent fundraising opportunity for the museum.

Some local recycling programs charge individuals for the service of recycling many of their electronic items. Cartridges for Kids does not charge the Heard anything to participate in this program, and they are also a non-profit organization. As a result, being a part of it helps their organization as well. To find out if you have items you could donate, visit www.cartridgesforkids.com to check out the program and see the large variety of products they accept. A link is also available through the Heard website for your convenience.

Bring your items in today! Cartridges for Kids collects laser, inkjet, fax & copier cartridges, laptops, PDAs, iPod's, DVDs, video games, cameras, cell phones and GPS systems.

On Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 7PM, the Collin County Archeology Society will hold a reorganization meeting at the at the Community Room of Texas Star Bank located at 2800 W. Virginia Parkway in McKinney.

The Collin County Archaeology Society was established in 1974, but has been dormant for several years. The Society is dedicated to the study and preservation of the archaeology and paleontology of Collin County and North Texas.

All persons, including students and youth with parents, interested in these subjects are welcome. For additional information contact John L. McCraw, Jr. 972-542-1263.

AT&T Advertising Solutions recognizes that it must play a critical leadership role in environmental stewardship. AT&T believes that in assuming accountability and responsibility for managing our natural resources, we only further strengthen the integrity of our product and the equity of the AT&T Real Yellow Pages brand.

To continue our environmental stewardship, we would like to invite the residents of McKinney and the surrounding cities to come to the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary at:

1 Nature Place, McKinney, TX 75069
www.heardmuseum.org

BRING YOUR OLD PHONE BOOKS FOR RECYCLING AND GET A FREE T-SHIRT
ON MARCH 11TH, 2009 FROM 10 AM - 2 PM.