National Wildlife Refuge Week at Hagerman

National Wildlife Refuge Week begins October 9, and with the majority of the visitors at Hagerman coming on the weekend, the Friends will start the celebration one day early, on Second Saturday, October 8. "Prairie Grasses and Fall Wildflowers" will be the topic with Dr. Connie Taylor, Professor Emeritus of Biology, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, as the speaker. Dr. Taylor’s program will begin at 10 am in the Multi-purpose Room of the new Visitor Center at the Refuge.

The Refuge and the Friends are so fortunate to have speakers and program leaders who are experts in their field and Connie Taylor is no exception! Dr. Taylor earned her PhD at the University of Oklahoma, where her major was in Plant Ecology and Plant Taxonomy. Known for her research on Goldenrods and native and introduced plants and their distribution in Oklahoma, she and her late husband, Dr. John Taylor, collected and reported new to Oklahoma over 150 species of plants. Dr. Taylor taught at Southeastern Oklahoma State University for 28 years, offering 17 different courses. She authored a catalogue of all vascular plants growing in Oklahoma and Keys to the Asteraceae of Oklahoma. Currently she is working with the Flora of Oklahoma Group on Keys to the Flora of Oklahoma.

Dr. Taylor plans to take the group outdoors for part of her presentation, weather permitting.

Also on the calendar for October 8, early-birds can meet at 8 am at the FOH Center at the Refuge for a nature walk, led by Dr. Wayne Meyer, weather permitting. The walk will conclude in time for Dr. Taylor’s presentation.

There will be Coffee with Friends from 9 – 10 am in the FOH Center, with complimentary coffee available.

At 9:30 am, in the Multi-purpose Room of the Visitor Center, winners of the 2011 Hagerman NWR Photo Contest will be announced and awards presented.

At 10 am, just prior to Dr. Taylor’s program, a special presentation in honor of a long-time volunteer will be made by the Friends of Hagerman.

Also planned for National Wildlife Refuge Week:

Monday, October 10, is a federal holiday, Columbus Day, and although the Refuge Office will be closed for official business, the Visitor Center will be open to the public from 10 am – 3 pm.

The Fall Photo Safari will be held on Saturday, October 15. To register (advance registration please!!), send your name, contact information, camera make/model, and experience level to fohphotoclub@gmail.com.

The Refuge is open daily from sunrise to sunset, free of charge. This week will be a great time to visit Hagerman, to walk, bird, picnic, bicycle, take pictures, do the auto tour, see the new Visitor Center or just enjoy the outdoors and some glorious October days.

These programs, sponsored by Hagerman NWR and the Friends of Hagerman, are free and open to the public. The Refuge is located at 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX, 75092. For more information, call the Refuge, 903 786 2826, or see friendsofhagerman.com.