This talk will be centered around some of our local native “weeds” that are not only edible, but full of nutrition and (possibly) medicinal benefits! For thousands of years before modern farming, most people knew what local plants were safe to eat, useful for materials, and helpful when illness or injury happened. We have lost a lot of this knowledge as we have become dependent on more modern conveniences. We will look at a few local weeds with hidden benefits. Our focus will be on how to recognize them, when and how to harvest them, and how to properly prepare them for food and home remedies.

Grayson County has been Karen Glenn’s home, off and on, since 1972. She has witnessed many changes in the area as the impacts of development change the native flora and fauna in North Texas. Since moving back home in 2000, Karen has taken part in numerous research projects at the University of Oklahoma Biological Station on Lake Texoma, taught chemistry courses at several local colleges and universities, volunteered at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, and, in 2017, joined the Texas Master Naturalist program. She and her son live on a small acreage in Gordonville, where they are working to restore the native habitat, which is rapidly disappearing due to development in the area. Her property has become her laboratory, and she looks forward to enjoying nature full time after retirement!

Photo by Pam Rendall-Bass

Registration is not necessary—all are welcome! But if any of these programs spark your curiosity, signing up will get you a friendly reminder three days beforehand. You’ll also receive our once-a-month Featherless Flyer newsletter—no email overload, and it’s easy to unsubscribe anytime.

Join the Refuge Cleanup!

Saturday, July 18 at 8:00 AM and every 3rd Saturday

Bring gloves, bucket and picker if you have them. We will meet at the VC where there may or may not be donuts.

These cleanups are always a blast, and many hands make light work. Bring a friend and let's keep the Refuge beautiful.  Scouts welcome! Ranger Beard will be on hand to sign for community service hours.

Photo by Pam Rendall-Bass

Many birds make their homes right on the ground—and they need our help! Young wildlife protectors are invited to learn how to spot, understand, and protect these often-overlooked birds at Guarding Ground-Nesting Birds, a hands-on children’s program at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. This interactive class will take place Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 10:00–11:30 a.m. and is designed for youth ages 5–10.

During this engaging program, participants will learn about ground-nesting birds found in our area and why nesting on the ground can be both clever—and risky. Through an age-appropriate mini lesson, kids will discover how these birds camouflage their nests, raise their young, and how people can help keep nesting areas safe.

The program includes:

• A fun, educational lesson about local ground-nesting birds
• A creative bird-themed craft to take home
• A hands-on activity that teaches simple ways to protect wildlife

This lively program blends science, conservation, and creativity —empowering young learners to become thoughtful stewards of nature.

Space is limited. Advance registration is encouraged at the Friends of Hagerman website.

Come learn how to watch your step, respect nesting spaces, and help protect birds where they live—right on the ground!

Refuge Rocks is a monthly youth nature program designed to spark curiosity and encourage children to connect with the natural world through fun, interactive learning experiences.

A photography workflow is essential for efficiently managing your images from the moment you capture them to the final step of sharing with others. We will look at the specific steps involved in a typical photography workflow as well as demonstrate them. We will also explore some of the features in Lightroom that can help make organizing and sharing your files much easier. A good workflow can allow you to spend less time on file handling and more time taking photos.