Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 12-18 by visiting Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. Come and ask us about hiking trails, birds of Hagerman, farming for wildlife, fishing, or wetlands restoration. Enjoy free Friends of Hagerman nature programs, Refuge van tours, or enter our upcoming wildlife and wild lands photo contest
Protecting our natural lands and the abundant wildlife that are dependent on them is essential to the quality of American life - and Refuge Week is a perfect time to visit some of those wild lands.
Established in 1946, the 11,320 acre Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, located about 15 minutes northwest of Sherman, provides habitat for more than 270 species of birds, 34 mammals, 65 reptiles and amphibians, and 62 fish. The Refuge’s land and water management activities such as farming, prescribed burning, and maintaining shallow water impoundments are designed to improve waterfowl habitat and to benefit all Refuge species. Hiking, auto touring, wildlife photography, fishing and hunting are all offered at the Refuge. Open from daylight until dark every day, there is no charge to visit the Refuge. The Visitor Center is open Monday-Friday 7:30-4, Saturday 9-3, and Sunday 1-4.
This year, Refuge Week also focuses on the health of the world’s birds − especially those that depend on refuge lands and waters for nesting, foraging, wintering or rest stops on their migration routes. Last spring a national report by the Department of the Interior credited conservation efforts over the past four decades with saving some species from extinction. The bald eagle and peregrine falcon are among them. However, the “State of the Birds” report noted major population drops for several other bird species, particularly along the coasts, in Hawaii and in the North, where 38 percent of Arctic nesting birds are thought to be in decline. Threats to birds include climate change, loss of habitat and disease.
Meanwhile, the number of Americans enjoying birding as a hobby is on the rise. More than 40 million Americans feed wild birds at home or travel to see them. National Wildlife Refuges − many of which were first established as bird sanctuaries − are finding new ways to encourage and support birding.
Hagerman Refuge encourages birders to visit at various times of the year to see a variety of birds from scissor-tailed flycatchers to snow geese. Bird feeders located at the visitor center provide close-up views of many backyard species such as cardinals, titmice, and chickadees. The Refuge has binoculars and birding guides for loan and feel free to stop by the visitor center and get tips on where to spot birds.
“Birds are key indicators of our nation’s environmental health,” says U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Sam Hamilton. “Their ability to survive is a measure of the quality of our air and water, the fertility of our soil, the abundance of our natural resources − factors on which human health also depend. National Wildlife Refuge Week is a perfect time to remember how interdependent all species are.”
There are 550 national wildlife refuges across the country, offering a variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, environmental education, wildlife observation and photography. Many wildlife refuges also offer nature hikes, bird watching tours, wildlife drives and trails, and other adventures. Each year, about 40 million Americans discover the wonders of nature by visiting a wildlife refuge. There is at least one wildlife refuge in every state and one within an hour’s drive of most major cities.