Thank you for your interest in membership at Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney, Texas!
As a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, your support through financial contributions, such as memberships, helps ensure the Heard’s mission to bring nature and people together will be sustained for future generations.
Portions of payments for memberships may be tax-deductible as a charitable contribution. Consult your tax advisor.
This membership level offers basic membership benefits for one person that meets one of the following criteria:
Our Individual membership level offers basic membership benefits for one person 18 or over.
Our Family membership level offers basic membership benefits for two adults and all children (age 18 and under) in the same household or grandchildren (age 18 and under).
Our Road Runner membership level is valid for two adults and all children (age 18 and under) in the same household or grandchildren (age 18 and under). This membership offers basic membership benefits plus the following:
Our Bobcat membership level is valid for two adults and all children (age 18 and under) in the same household or grandchildren (age 18 and under). This membership offers basic membership benefits plus the following:
Our Red-Tailed Hawk level is valid for two adults and all children (age 18 and under) in the same household or grandchildren (age 18 and under). This membership offers basic membership benefits plus the following:
Our Golden Eagle membership level is valid for two adults and all children (age 18 and under) in the same household or grandchildren (age 18 and under). This membership offers basic membership benefits plus the following:
Heard Membership, at all levels, includes reciprocal free general admission to over 300 science centers and museums worldwide through the ASTC Travel Passport Program.
Please note: this program excludes residents within a 90 mile radius of the Heard.
As an added benefit, if you purchase a membership at the Roadrunner level or above, you are entitled to visit the Perot Museum of Nature & Science and Fort Worth Museum of Science & History (maximum 2 adults and 2 children) through a separate local agreement. Through this agreement, participants receive free reciprocal general admission. This agreement does not apply to education programs, special engagements, IMAX tickets or any other store/museum discounts.
If you are a member of another ASTC passport museum or science center and wish to visit the Heard, please note that we do abide by the residency policy and check photo ID. Our current ASTC admission policy allows 6 visitors for free and you will receive $1.00 off any other admissions.
If you wish to purchase a membership at the Heard, please see the following documents for information on the ASTC Travel passport guidelines, a current passport member list or frequently asked questions.
Free general admission is not applicable to education programs (including field trips) or during special events in which a special event fee applies.
Phone: 972-562-5566, x241
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: 972-548-9119
Address: 1 Nature Place McKinney, TX 75069
No, there are four other easy ways to join or renew.
Option 1 – Via Mail
Mail completed membership form and payment information to:
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
Attn: Membership Department
1 Nature Place McKinney, TX 75069
Option 2 – Online
Join online through this page.
Option 3 – Phone or Fax
Phone us: 972-562-5566
Fax: 972-548-9119
(Must include completed membership application with credit card information)
Your official membership card will be mailed to you by the museum within 2-4 weeks.
Yes. Your online/register receipt will act as your temporary membership card. Just present it with your photo ID. We’ll confirm your membership and you can start receiving membership benefits.
The photo ID policy protects you if your card is lost or stolen; it is also a standard security practice among zoos, aquariums and museums. As a charitable organization that relies on members and daily museum visitors for support, we need to prevent misuse of our membership cards. If memberships were shared by families and friends, the museum’s revenue would be substantially reduced and the museum would have to raise ticket and membership prices to maintain the quality of its services to guests. As you can see, we have set our membership prices at an intentionally affordable level to allow North Texas residents to enjoy the museum on a regular basis.
No. As mentioned above, this practice would be detrimental to the financial viability of the museum and abuse like this would drive up costs for museum guests as it is the equivalent of stealing a ticket from the museum. Thus, as indicated in our benefits, memberships are nontransferable and are valid only for the person/s whose name appears on the card.
Yes. The Heard Natural Science Museum is a member of the ASTC Travel Passport Program which allows you free or discounted admissions to more than 250 selected museums worldwide. See astc.org for more details. This does not apply to institutions located within a 90 mile radius of the Heard Museum.
Yes! We currently have a local reciprocal agreement with the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Ft. Worth Museum of Science & History. When you join at the Road Runner level or above you will be able to visit the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Ft. Worth Museum of Science & History and receive free general admission for the people covered by your membership (FWMSH allows a maximum 2 adults and 2 children). This offer is valid for free general admission only. Additional member benefits from reciprocal locations are not conferred to the membership holder.
ASTC card holders that meet the criteria in the ASTC Policy below will receive the following reciprocal benefits:
Please check astc.org for the most current list of passport participants.
ASTC POLICY – “Based on residence: To receive Travel Passport Program benefits, you must live more than 90 miles away from the center/museum you wish to visit. Admissions staff reserves the right to request proof of residence for benefits to apply.”
You will begin receiving renewal notices two months prior to your expiration date. As soon as you renew, you will no longer receive notices until the following renewal cycle.
Complete the Membership Information Update form to receive a replacement card(s). There is a $3 administrative fee for each replacement card. You may also pick up and fill out the form on your next visit; it is available at the admissions desk.
If you do receive your card within 4 weeks of joining, call or e-mail the Membership office. Don’t forget: you are also welcome to visit with the temporary membership card you were provided at the time of joining.
Most of the time this happens when these items cross in the mail; however, if you do not receive your renewed membership card in the mail within 2-4 weeks of your renewal, please call or e-mail the membership office.
Donations to the annual fund are considered tax-deductible charitable contributions and do not apply to membership fees.
Upcoming events can be found on our website or by subscribing to our e-mail newsletters.
Members receive 10% off items $1 or more in the Nature Store; new members receive a one time use only 20% off coupon upon joining for their first purchase on items of $1 or more.
No. You can upgrade your membership anytime during the course of your membership or at renewal time. Contact the Membership office for more details.
Simply present a valid photo ID at the admissions desk. The admissions staff will gladly look up your membership information.
In accordance with IRS guidelines, the following information outlines the tax-deductible portions of each of our membership levels. Members must waive some or all of their membership benefits to claim tax deductibility for the entire cost of the membership.
Membership Tax Deduction
Members may visit as often as they like during our normal business hours each membership year free of charge, but may be required to pay fees for special events, festivals, and education programs. In addition to free admission, members have the opportunity to attend free exhibition previews and viewing events throughout the year, as well as purchase discounted tickets to a variety of programming events.
Members receive a $1 discount on every guest admission that they purchase. You can also sign up at the Road Runner level and above and receive five single day guest passes with your membership. See benefit levels for specific details.
No. School/Day Care sponsored field trips, education programs, labs, etc. are special fee programs not included in the free general admission you receive as a member. You will be required to pay the full program fee for your child and for yourself if you are chaperoning.
Because this special member’s only preview is designed to help us gain members, we do not allow guests, but ask that you encourage your friends and neighbors to become members of the Heard Museum and join you on these special nights to get the best Native Texas plants for your home.
No. Due to safety and security reasons, we ask that you only walk the trails during open business hours or during special events, as designated.
Discounts are a privilege extended to our members only; therefore, discounts are not transferable.
No. Membership fees are not refundable.
Yes! You can make tax-deductible charitable contributions to the Heard, see our website for the various ways you can give or call the museum and let us know how you want to help further our mission of “bringing nature and people together!”
Yes, memberships provide much needed income to enhance this not-for-profit organization. Once your membership funds are received, they immediately begin working to enhance museum services for members and visitors. For this reason, we are unable to refund membership dollars.
The Heard Museum has various sponsorship opportunities and volunteer group projects available throughout the year.
© 2021 Heard Museum Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
