News

Celebrate the Season with Nature and Dinosaurs at Holidays at the Heard

Stephanie Jennings — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:28:10 Z

On December 12, 13 & 14, 2025, Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary invites you to step into a unique winter wonderland at Holidays at the Heard. Presented by Plano Tree Care, Join us in McKinney, Texas, where the holiday spirit meets the tranquility of nature and the thrill of dinosaurs.

During this event, visitors will be captivated on a walk along one of the sanctuary's nature trails accentuated by lights and décor. Plus, guests will be able to get a glimpse of the Dinosaurs Live! exhibit. This enchanting evening stroll will offer a magical escape into a world where wildlife and holiday cheer exist in harmony.

This year, we are excited to offer live music performances under the stars in the Heards amphitheater that will fill the air with festive cheer, creating the perfect backdrop for your holiday experience. Enjoy live music in our outdoor amphitheater with a selection of festive classics and more. Santa Claus will also make a special appearance each night from 6:30-8 p.m. Capture the joy of the season with fun photo opportunities, where families can create lasting memories.

Join us to celebrate the season and support our commitment to wildlife conservation and environmental education. Proceeds from ticket sales directly benefit our preservation and educational initiatives, allowing us to continue our mission of connecting people with nature and inspiring stewardship of the natural world.

More information and tickets are available now at HeardMuseum.org/Holidays-at-the-Heard, with special discounts available for Heard members. Holidays at the Heard is sponsored by NBC5.

About Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
Founded in 1967, the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is dedicated to bringing nature and people together. Located on a 289-acre nature preserve, the museum
offers diverse educational programs, exhibits, and trails that foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the environment.

Please Consider Helping the Heard Animal Ambassadors This North Texas Giving Day

Stephanie Jennings — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 21:28:05 Z

Please Consider Helping the Heard Animal Ambassadors This North Texas Giving Day

North Texas Giving Day is tomorrow (Thursday, September 18)!

This year, we aim to raise at least $30,000 to help cover the cost of exceptional care and veterinary treatment that each of the 75 animal ambassadors in our care receives. With your help, we can meet this goal!

So far, over 30 supporters have helped us meet this goal during Early Giving. Our board of directors has also pledged to match over $12,000 in donations from the public. We really appreciate each gift! All donations will help us get closer to this goal and we are grateful for your support. We also appreciate your help in spreading the word about our project.

Thank you to all of the generous supporters who have contributed to this goal so far!

LEARN MORE & DONATE NOW

About Heard Animal Ambassadors

All animals residing at the Heard under human care are unable to survive in the wild and therefore non-releasable. Each has a unique story, but they all rely on the Heard for a home. Otherwise, the alternative is typically euthanasia.

These animals act as ambassadors for their wild counterparts, helping us fulfill our mission to educate and inspire by connecting people with the natural world. And, by providing a permanent home for these animal ambassadors, rehabbers we work with also have more opportunities to provide care to additional animals in need.

Read below to learn more about a few of our animal ambassadors. Thank you for your consideration and support. Additional information is available below or here.

Meet A Few Animal Ambassadors

Pudge and Poe are Eastern Screech Owls and came to live at the Heard in 2013. Though they arrived at the same time, they both came from different situations that led to injury of one of their eyes.

Pudge was found in the mouth of an English Mastiff (although its unknown if that caused the eye injury). Poe was found on the side of the road, after, presumably, being hit by a vehicle. Because of these injuries that would limit their ability to take care of themselves, they were deemed non-releasable.

You may notice that they are two different colors. Thats because Eastern Screech Owls have two common color morphs, gray and rufous (red). Pudge is rufous and Poe is gray.

Meet More Animal Ambassadors

Project Background

The 75 animals under our care receive the highest standard of care, meeting or exceeding all standards for their species set by USDA, Texas Parks and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and others. Veterinary services and the daily care are cornerstones of maintaining the health and well-being of our animals, ensuring that they thrive. But it is expensive.

While we continue to provide exceptional care, veterinary costs for routine check-ups, emergency treatments, and specialized care are considerable and ever-increasing. Additionally, each animal requires a specialized diet and daily care routine. By supporting our Animal Care Fund, you are directly contributing to the health and happiness of these animals. Your support helps us fulfill our deep commitment to their well-being.

For example, the annual care for just one of our Eastern Screech Owls might easily cost over $4,000 which covers things like:

Food: $564
Specialized Raptor Veterinary Care: $50
Expert Veterinary Ophthalmology Care: $150
Medications (her prescription eye drops): $135
Raptor-specific care equipment: $50
Enrichment items such as perches, dust baths, and natural substrate: $100
Specially trained staff time: $3100.00
State and Federal Permit and Licensing Fees: $250

About North Texas Giving Day

Your donation goes further with bonus funds and prizes when you give through this link. Our board of directors has also committed a $12,000+ matching gift. With your help this North Texas Giving Day, we will be able to continue our mission to bring nature and people together.

About Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

Founded in 1967 by Bessie Heard at the age of 80, Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary consists of a 289-acre nature preserve and a natural science museum with the mission to educate and inspire by connecting people with the natural world. In a time when the rate of expansion of the Metroplex was slower than today, Miss Bessie foresaw the need to preserve a place where future generations could experience nature.

Your support through financial and in-kind contributions will help ensure the Heard will be sustained for future generations to enjoy. We also appreciate you sharing our information with your friends and family! Because the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, any gifts made are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

LEARN MORE & DONATE NOW

This Weekend: Holiday Lights, Dinos, Live Music and More at the Heard

Stephanie Jennings — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 19:15:26 Z

This holiday season, the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary invites families, friends, and nature enthusiasts to step into a winter wonderland like no other at Holidays at the Heard on December 6 & 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. Nestled in the heart of McKinney, Texas, the Heard will blend the joy of the holidays with the serene beauty of nature and the excitement of dinosaurs.

Celebrate the Holidays with Nature's Wonders

During this event, visitors will be captivated on a walk along one of the sanctuary's nature trails accentuated by lights and décor. Plus, guests will be able to get a glimpse of the Dinosaurs Live! exhibit. This enchanting evening stroll will offer a magical escape into a world where wildlife and holiday cheer exist in harmony.

Engaging Experiences for All Ages

This year, we are excited to offer live music performances under the stars that will fill the air with festive cheer, creating the perfect backdrop for your holiday experience. On Friday, enjoy classic Americana-rock sounds and holiday cheer from JCD & Lone Star Attitude. And, on Saturday, La Pompe will bring a little bit of French, a little bit of swing, and a whole lot of holiday fun to the Heard amphitheater. Capture the joy of the season with fun photo opportunities, where families can create lasting memories.

A Commitment to Community and Conservation

The Heard's events not only celebrate the season but also support our commitment to wildlife conservation and environmental education. Proceeds from ticket sales directly benefit our preservation and educational initiatives, allowing us to continue our mission of connecting people with nature and inspiring stewardship of the natural world.

Join Us for a Season to Remember

Whether you're a long-time supporter or a first-time visitor, the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary warmly welcomes you to join our holiday celebrations. More information and tickets are available now at HeardMuseum.org/Holidays-at-the-Heard, with special discounts available for Heard members. Let the Heard be your destination for a truly enchanting holiday experience this year.

Light the Night

The Heard will also offer Light the Night on December 10-14, from 5-8 p.m. After our Holidays at the Heard event dates, these evenings will offer the opportunity for visitors to enjoy a peaceful winter walking tour of one of our nature trails accented with holiday lights and décor.

About Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

Founded in 1967, the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is dedicated to bringing nature and people together. Located on a 289-acre wildlife sanctuary, the museum offers diverse educational programs, exhibits, and trails that foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the environment.

Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary to Offer Extended Summer Hours

Stephanie Jennings — Mon, 27 May 2024 21:34:18 Z

Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney, Texas, is excited to announce extended summer hours from June 1 to August 5, 2024. This initiative aims to provide visitors with more opportunities to explore the sanctuary during the cooler parts of the day, enhancing their experience and connection with nature. The new hours will allow early morning and late evening visits, creating a perfect setting for observing wildlife and enjoying the serene environment.

During these dates, our regular hours of operation will be as follows:

Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.*
Saturdays 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.*
Sundays 1 p.m.-5 p.m.*

These cooler periods also coincide with peak activity times for many animals, offering a unique chance for visitors to witness wildlife that might otherwise be hidden during the Heards regular hours of operation. Early risers might catch a glimpse of activities such as deer grazing and the symphony of birds during their morning routines. Evening visitors might experience the enchanting transition of day to night, with creatures like frogs, raccoons, armadillos, bats and more becoming active as the sun sets. Fireflies may sometimes light up the path as well, adding a magical touch to the nocturnal landscape.

The extended hours also mean more time to explore the sanctuarys diverse habitats, which are home to a variety of species, including from mammals to an impressive array of birds. This makes it a fantastic spot for both avid nature enthusiasts and families looking to spend quality time outdoors. A list of bird species previously spotted at the Heard in June is available here.

Overall, the extended summer hours at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary offer a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature in a more comfortable and immersive way. Whether you're an early bird or a night owl, these additional hours ensure that everyone can experience the sanctuary's wildlife and natural beauty.

*Please note entry will not be granted less than an hour before closing time. See schedule exceptions at HeardMuseum.org/Hours.

About Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing nature and people together to discover, enjoy, experience, restore and preserve our priceless environment. The Heard was founded in 1967 by Bessie Heard at the age of 80. In a time when the rate of expansion of the Metroplex was slower than today, she foresaw the need to preserve a place where future generations could experience nature. Today, the Heard's mission of bringing nature and people together is carried out through education, which emphasizes an appreciation of nature and its conservation. For more information, visit HeardMuseum.org.