Second Saturday Programs for August 11, 2012

Invasives at the Refuge will be the topic for Second Saturday program at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, on August 11.  The program will begin at 10 a.m. in the Visitor Center meeting room.

An invasive species is non-native to a particular ecosystem and spreads or reproduces rapidly and causes harm to the environment, human health, and or the economy.  North Texas residents have all been reading and hearing about one invasive species, the zebra mussel.  Refuge visitors may see or hear large groups of feral hogs (see photo below, by Carl Hill) and their detrimental effect on the wildlife habitat.  Learn which other plants and animals are on the list of invasive species and what is and can be done.

Presenting the program will be Saul Petty, who is the Invasive Species Biologist at the Refuge. Petty moved to Hagerman in late July 2010 from Louisiana, where he worked for the US Forest Service.  He received a Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M – College Station in Horticulture and a Master’s degree in Forestry. Petty’s duties include providing guidance and technical assistance regarding invasive species management to refuges throughout Texas and Oklahoma.

Also on August 11, youngsters ages 4-10 are invited to the Second Saturday for Youth program, entitled Fun with Fossils.  The program includes nature crafts and activities and will be led by Katie Palmer; it begins at 10 a.m.  Children under age 6 must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult.  To assure adequate supplies for each youth, advance registration is required and can be made by calling the refuge at 903-786-2826.  The youth program meets in the Audio Visual Classroom, FOH Center.

All Second Saturday activities are free of charge and open to the public.  Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma, at 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, Texas, 75092.  For more information, call the Refuge or visit http://www.friendsofhagerman.com.