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Become a Member

Overview

Become a Heard Museum Member

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.

Individual Memberships

Individual Membership Level

Cardinal

This membership level offers basic membership benefits for one person that meets one of the following criteria:

  • Senior 60 and over
  • Student 18 and over
  • Active military 18 and over with current ID
  • Educator 18 and over with valid ID

Price

$50

Become an Individual Member

Individual Membership Level

Great Horned Owl

Our Individual membership level offers basic membership benefits for one person 18 or over.

Price

$70

Become an Individual Member

Family Memberships

Family Membership Level

White-tailed Deer

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).

Price

$95

Become a Primary Member

Family Membership Level

Roadrunner

Our Roadrunner 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: 

  • Reciprocal general admission (only) to Perot Museum of Nature & Science and Fort Worth Museum of Science & History details
  • 5 free single day guest passes each year (great for caregivers)*
  • Recognition on our website for one year

Price

$160

Become a Road Runner Member

*Our guest passes are now digital. Please ask our front desk staff to redeem them at check in.

Family Membership Level

Bobcat Level

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: 

  • Reciprocal general admission (only) to Perot Museum of Nature & Science and Fort Worth Museum of Science & History details
  • 15 free single day guest passes each year*
  • Recognition on our website for one year

Price

$500

Become a Bobcat Member

*Our guest passes are now digital. Please ask our front desk staff to redeem them at check in.

Family Membership Level

Red-tailed Hawk

Heard Preservation Society Membership

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: 

  • 5 year membership
  • Reciprocal general admission (only) to Perot Museum of Nature & Science and Fort Worth Museum of Science & History details
  • Unique Heard appreciation gift upon joining
  • 5 free single day guest passes per year for 5 years*
  • Recognition on the donor wall at the Heard Museum
  • Recognition on our website for one year

Price

$1,500

Become a Red-Tailed Hawk Member

*Our guest passes are now digital. Please ask our front desk staff to redeem them at check in.

Family Membership Level

Golden Eagle

Lifetime Membership

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: 

  • Lifetime membership
  • Reciprocal general admission (only) to Perot Museum of Nature & Science and Fort Worth Museum of Science & History details
  • Unique Heard appreciation gift upon joining
  • Recognition on the donor wall at the Heard Museum
  • Recognition on website
  • 20 free single day guest passes*
  • Option to buy a one-time generational membership transfer ($1,500)

Price

$2,500

Become a Red-Tailed Hawk Member

*Our guest passes are now digital. Please ask our front desk staff to redeem them at check in.

Basic Benefits for All Membership Levels

  • Unlimited free general admission to trails and permanent exhibits during regular operating hours (all guests must check in at front desk; we reserve the right to check photo IDs) for 1 year from the date of activation*
  • Personalized membership card
  • 10% discount on all Heard Nature Store purchases of $1 or more
  • Discounts on preschool and homeschool classes, summer camps, birthday parties, facility rentals and travel opportunities
  • $5 off gift membership
  • Exclusive early invitations to many popular events and educational programs
  • Provide your email to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to keep you updated on Heard activities and events
  • Option to purchase discounted admission passes for your guests
  • Invitations to member only events and previews
  • Reciprocal admission through the Travel Passport Program to more than 300 ASTC participating member museums and science centers worldwide.**

New Benefits:

  • Member Mornings – Join us every Thursday morning at 8 a.m. for members-only early entry to the museum and sanctuary! Simply check in at the front desk with your membership card to take exclusive advantage of the mild weather, fantastic birding, photography opportunities, and more that mornings at the Heard have to offer.
  • Membership Auto-Renewal  This optional feature is a convenient way to automatically renew your membership before it expires. The Auto-Renew payment process automatically renews your membership each year, saving you from having to resubmit your renewal and payment information annually. It’s fast, secure and convenient. Simply check the “Auto-Renew” box when you join or renew your membership, or contact us. Learn more in our FAQ section.
*Memberships are active immediately upon purchase. They can be used at any time by presenting a valid photo ID to the front desk. With regards to gift membership purchases, please note that they, too, are active immediately on purchase unless otherwise specified. You may email us to request a delayed activation. Please plan accordingly when making your purchase.

ASTC Travel Passport Program

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.

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.

ASTC Travel Passport Program Venues 

ASTC Travel Passport Guidelines

ASTC Travel Passport FAQs

 

Additional Benefits for Roadrunner Level Members and Above

 

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 3 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.

 

Visitors from Other ASTC Member Organizations

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 (below) and check photo ID. Our current ASTC admission policy allows 6 visitors for free. You will receive $1 off any additional admissions.

 

Residency Policy: the science center or museum you are visiting may not be located within 90 miles of both your home residence and the science center or museum that you belong to. This distance is measured as a linear radius, not driving distance. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Accordion Content

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: membership@heardmuseum.org

Fax: 972-548-9119

Address: 1 Nature Place McKinney, TX 75069

Memberships are active immediately upon purchase. They can be used at anytime by presenting a valid photo ID to the front desk. With regards to gift membership purchases, please note that they, too, are active immediately on purchase unless otherwise specified. You may email us to request a delayed activation. Please plan accordingly when making your purchase.

No, there are three other easy options 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)

Memberships are active immediately upon purchase. They can be used at any time by presenting a valid photo ID to the front desk. Please note that, due to processing time and postal service, your physical member card may take 2- 6 weeks to arrive by mail.

 

If you visit a facility with reciprocal general admission prior to the arrival of your card and require verification of your membership, please utilize the confirmation materials you receive at the time of purchase or email membership@heardmuseum.org at least 3 business days prior (Tuesday-Friday) to your visit.

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. Both organizations allow a maximum 2 adults and 3 children. This offer is valid for free general admission only. Additional member benefits from reciprocal locations are not conferred to the membership holder.  

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 not 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 fundraisers 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. Please contact your tax advisor for complete details.  

Membership Tax Deduction

  • Individual and Family Memberships: Under the Internal Revenue Service guidelines for nonprofit museum memberships, the full amount paid up to $75 is 100% tax deductible.   
  • Roadrunner: Under the Internal Revenue Service guidelines, the estimated value of the benefits received is $50. The deductible portion of your payment is $100.   
  • Bobcat: Under the Internal Revenue Service guidelines, the estimated value of the benefits received is $150. The deductible portion of your payment is $350.   
  • Red-Tailed Hawk: Under the Internal Revenue guidelines, the estimated value of the benefits received is $300. The deductible portion of your payment is $1200.     
  • Golden Eagle (Lifetime): Under the Internal Revenue guidelines, the estimated value of the benefits received is $250. The deductible portion of your payment is $2250.

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.  

The Heard is offering a new member benefit:  Membership Auto-Renewal. This optional feature is a convenient way to automatically renew your membership before it expires. The Auto-Renew payment process automatically renews your membership each year, saving you from having to resubmit your renewal and payment information annually. It’s fast, secure and convenient. Simply check the “Auto-Renew” box when you join or renew your membership, or contact us.

  • Your benefits continue without interruption. Enroll in Auto-Renew, and never have to worry about keeping your membership up-to-date!
  • Convenience. One less thing on your to-do list and avoid the hassle of manually cutting a check or entering credit card information online. 

Your credit card or bank account will be charged 1 day prior to your expiration date. If your credit card information is expired, we will contact you to update it. You will receive a reminder at least one month in advance of your scheduled payment processing date. The reminder notice will provide details on your current membership and instructions for you can make changes if needed.

Please notify the Heard Museum’s Membership Department of any changes to your mailing address, e-mail address, or payment information. You can contact the Membership Coordinator by phone (972-562-5566) or email (membership@heardmuseum.org) to update your account information or preferences.

Yes. Please notify the Heard Museum’s Membership department at least 10 days before your membership renewal date if you would like to turn off your auto-renew. If you do decide to opt-out, you will still remain on the regular renewal schedule, and will be able to renew your membership annually by the usual method.

Heard Natural Science Museum Membership Auto-Renewal is an optional service, offering convenient and seamless membership renewal automatically annually (for annual membership types only). By opting in to Heard Museum Membership Auto-Renewal you hereby authorize Heard Natural Science Museum on an automatic basis to:

 

  1. 1. Renew your HNSM membership at your current membership level rate, and
  2. 2. Charge the applicable membership rate to the credit card you input online via your membership purchase/renewal.

 

Should a credit card be declined, you will be notified by email or phone by an HNSM staff member. If the payment method is not updated within 10 business days of notification, HNSM Membership Auto-Renewal will be turned off.


HNSM reserves the right to change annual membership rates. Any changes to membership will be communicated to members in writing by mail and/or email notification prior to your renewal. 


Members may un-enroll from HNSM Membership Auto-Renewal at any time by contacting HNSM by email at membership@heardmuseum.org or by phone at 972-562-5566. Cancellations must be received at least 10 days prior to the member’s bill date (which is the day before the listed membership expiration date).

 

As a reminder: on the day before your listed expiration date, automatic renewal will be processed. The credit card on file will be charged and members will receive an email receipt confirming payment. Members will receive a notification at least one month in advance of payment processing. If the credit card information we have on file is no longer current, you may experience a lapse in your membership benefits. 

Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has agreements (with certain guidelines that are outlined below) with a select number of organizations regarding granting members of these other organizations with reciprocal admission and vice versa. The Heard receives no compensation for granting this courtesy to other organizations’ members and vice versa.

These agreements are only applicable to general admission and only apply to those following the guidelines of the agreements. None of these agreements provide additional member benefits including education programs (such as field trips) and special events.

Please note: because the Heard does not receive regular tax funding, improvements to our facility and the preservation of our wildlife sanctuary are made possible with the support of individuals like you through donations, admissions and volunteering. As a result, we ask that you use these agreements courteously and in the spirit in which they are intended. Thank you for your cooperation!

Conditions of these agreements:

  • If you purchased a membership from Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, view information about your membership benefits above.
  • Perot Museum of Nature and Science: Family Plus Members and above, upon providing an official membership ID card and valid matching photo ID, will be granted general admission for 2 adults (named on the membership card) and up to 4 children in the same household (for a maximum of 6 people). There are no other membership benefits offered with this agreement. For additional information about your Perot Museum membership, please contact the Perot’s membership department.
  • Fort Worth Museum of Science and History: Wonder and Imagine level members, upon providing an official membership ID card and valid matching photo ID, will be granted general admission for 2 adults (named on the membership card) and up to 4 children in the same household (for a maximum of 6 people). There are no other membership benefits offered with this agreement. For additional information about your FWMSH membership, please contact FWMSH’s membership department.
  • ASTC Passport Program participants: as a member of a science center or museum participating in the ASTC Travel Passport Program (excluding locations within 90 miles of the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary), upon providing an official membership ID card (the card must have the ASTC logo on it) and valid matching photo ID, will be granted general admission for up 2 adults (named on the membership card) and up to 4 children in the same household (for a maximum of 6 people, depending on the number of people covered by your membership). There are no other membership benefits offered with this agreement. For additional information about the ASTC Passport Program, please click here.

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.”.

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