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Second Saturday: Fossils with Dr. Tom Stidham

  • September 14, 2024
  • 10:00 AM
  • Hagerman National Wildlife Visitor Center

The evolutionary origins of the nearly 11,000 species of living birds trace their origins back to dinosaurs nearly 200 million years ago in the Mesozoic Era. Many features people think of as uniquely bird traits (like feathers) actually have their origins among dinosaurs, and at the same time those traits demonstrate that birds are the most amazing branch of the dinosaur family tree. While birds intrigue, dazzle, and serenade us today, the evolutionary and fossil record shows us that many exciting and unexpected aspects of bird history and diversity extend back to the time before dinosaurs could fly.

Dr. Thomas Stidham is an evolutionary biologist and paleontologist who studies mostly bird evolution from their dinosaurian origins to today. In addition to his high profile work on birds, Tom’s broad natural history perspective also has resulted in research publications on insects, mammals, reptiles, plants, and much more, including lots of new species. After 12 years at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, he has returned to Texas to join Austin College where he hopes to engage an active student body in exciting courses, build a very productive research program with students, and continue his collaborations around the globe. Outside of traditional academia, he is working to build a robust science outreach program across North Texas that is a continuation of his years of successful outreach in China with schools, NGOs, and multilingual kids of all ages, including Girl Scouts.

Free and open to the public.  Donations are accepted to support this and other events and programs sponsored by the Friends of Hagerman NWR.

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Photo: This fossil of a shark vertabrae was found by Kathy Whaley, Refuge Manager, at the North Sulphur River.  The river is part of the Western Interior Seaway as was refuge lands.

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Events and activities hosted by the Friends of Hagerman are funded by donations and powered solely by volunteers.  There are no fees for admission to the refuge or parking; the refuge is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year, drive on any road unless gated.

6465 Refuge Road

Sherman, TX 75092

             

Kroger: Stop by the customer service desk at Kroger and link your Kroger Card to the Friends of Hagerman: the Friends will get rewards for every dollar you spend, at no cost to you.

Please add friendsofhagerman@gmail.com to your contacts to ensure delivery of registration confirmations, account information and the Featherless Flyer

Special thanks to Nancy Miller for the amazing photo of the Visitor Center 

See you at the refuge!

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