Escape the concrete of the city and hike over 6.5 miles of self-guided or interpreted nature trails that wind though the diverse habitats of our 289-acre wildlife sanctuary, including tall grass prairie, bottomland hardwood and limestone escarpment. Take advantage of the opportunity to encounter many species of birds, insects and animals.  

The Heard offers programs for adults and children, field trips, guided nature trails and animal presentations, night hikes, and more.

Exotic spicy fragrances greet those visiting the Heard native plant garden in spring. As early as mid-February the Red Bay and Agaritas begin to flower sending sweet saffron scents throughout the garden. Buffalo currents begin their six weeks of fragrant flowering the trout lilies slyly emerge from the leaf litter under the live oaks. There is always something new to see, smell and enjoy!

The Heard Museum currently maintains exhibits on Texas' venomous snakes, rocks, minerals and fossils, seashells and marine life, North Texas ecosystems and more. Including a large walk-through wetland diorama, a children's fossil dig and a marine room.

The Living Lab is where students can handle actual specimens and use tools to answer scientific questions. Exhibits are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science, making a Heard Museum visit valuable for the more than 20,000 students who visit each year.