Visit our closest national wildlife refuge, Hagerman Wildlife Refuge, which is only 1.5 hours from Fort Worth and offers wildlife viewing and hiking trails in a unique setting. It was set aside in 1946 primarily as a resting place for geese and ducks, and includes nearly 13,000 acres of habitat adjacent to Lake Texoma. This trip gives us a chance to explore how federal lands are leased for various purposes, as you will note after seeing oil wells on this property. The refuge is located about 65 miles northeast of Fort Worth near Gainesville TX. 

In the morning we will explore the park on foot on the park’s hiking trails. Bring a sack lunch for a group picnic after the hike. After lunch we will take a guided tour of the refuge via tram with a refuge bird expert for approximately 1 – 1.5 hrs, and view a Powerpoint presentation about the refuge. Optional stop on the way home at the famous Clark’s Outpost BBQ in Tioga, TX.  

SPACE IS LIMITED TO 10 PERSONS FOR THE GUIDED TOUR. MUST CONTACT TRIP LEADER TO REGISTER by Nov. 29. We will meet at the new Visitors Center inside the wildlife refuge at 10 am if you are traveling independently. 

For carpooling from Denton TX, meet in Denton at the Cracker Barrel parking lot at the intersection of 380 and 35W at 9 am (please eat before 9 am). Directions: go north on I-35 W from Fort Worth to Highway 82 in Gainesville, TX.  Head east (to the right) on 82 for about 20 miles until you see turnoff for Hagerman Refuge on the north side of the highway. Follow signs to Visitors Center. Website for refuge:  http://www.fws.gov/refuge/hagerman

Contact Trip leader: Marilyn Turnage, 214-533-2481 or marilynturnage@att.net

Or Diane Lancaster, dianelan@gmail.com, 817-845-4139.