As the sun dips low, the wetlands come alive with croaks, ribbits, and rustles!

Join us for a twilight exploration to meet the wetland’s scaly and slimy residents.

With flashlights in hand, guests will search for frogs, toads, turtles, and maybe even a snake or two, learning how these cold-blooded creatures thrive once the heat of the day fades.

• When: Thursday, September 10th
• Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
• Cost: $10 per person
• Age Limit: 12 & up

Homeschoolers will buzz, crawl, and hop into the hidden world of wetland bugs!

Students will grab nets and magnifying glasses to go on a real bug safari, searching muddy banks and tall grasses for dragonflies, water striders, beetles, and more. Along the way, kids will learn how these tiny creatures keep the wetland ecosystem buzzing with life.

• When: Tuesday, September 15th, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
• Cost: $10 per student per program. Includes admission to the Wetland Center. Free for parents/guardians (must be present with their students throughout the program).
• Age: 6-12. Limit of 20 students per program.

Join us for a hands-on introduction to the fascinating world of honeybees and hive management. Explore the tools, equipment, and hive components that make up a working beehive while learning the fundamentals of responsible beekeeping. Through interactive stations and guided demonstrations, you’ll get up close with real beekeeping gear, discover how protective equipment and smokers are used, and learn how a hive is assembled and prepared for a healthy bee colony.

• When: Saturday, September 19th, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
• Capacity: 30 participants (Recommended age is 10+)
• Cost: $7 per person for adults and children 5 and up (4-and-under, free)

Join your neighbors for a morning of hands-on service projects designed to help protect and restore this special habitat for wildlife and people alike. Volunteers can pitch in on projects like invasive species removal, native plant restoration, and litter and debris cleanup. Tools, gloves, and instructions will be provided, along with plenty of opportunities to learn about the wetlands while you work.

• 8:00 a.m.: Event begins, please arrive on time.
• 8:00 – 8:30 a.m.: Introduction and split into groups
• 8:30 – 10:45 a.m.: Work with group on service project
• 10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: Wrap-up!

Join master birder Kayleigh Bucur into the wetland’s central cells for this rare birding opportunity.

This event is geared toward intermediate to advanced birders, but beginners are welcome too.

Don’t miss this chance to bird in an area normally off limits to the public!

• Date: Sunday, October 4th
• Time: 6:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• Cost: $20.
• Limited to just 15 for an enhanced birding experience.
• Registration: Required.
• Rain Date: Sunday, October 11.

Using simple listening tools and guided “sound walks,” participants will learn to identify who’s making which noise and why the wetlands get so much louder once the sun goes down.

We’ll spend some time learning about the night sounds of the wetland before heading out to search and listen for them. Be prepared to walk over uneven surfaces.

• When: Thursday, October 8th
• Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
• Cost: $10 per person
• Age Limit: 12 & up

Buzz on over for a day dedicated to the tiny heroes that keep our ecosystems thriving! Pollinator Day invites the whole community to explore the wetlands and learn all about native bees, butterflies, moths, and other pollinators that make our plants (and food!) possible. Wander through pollinator-friendly habitats, discover how to attract and protect these important species at home, and enjoy hands-on activities for all ages.

• On October 10th, come-and-go with two optional classes
• 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.: Beekeeper Class: Honey extraction lesson and DIY hand cream experience
• 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.: Beekeeper Class: Honey extraction lesson and DIY hand cream experience
• There will be crafts and educational activities available throughout the day!

Roots, reeds, and wildflowers, oh my! Students will wander through the wetlands discovering how plants like cattails, duckweed, and water lilies survive in soggy soil. Through hands-on activities and plant identification hikes, kids will learn how wetland plants filter water, provide shelter, and form the foundation of the whole ecosystem. It’s a green adventure your budding botanists won’t want to miss! Online registration required, thank you!

• When: Tuesday, October 20th, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
• Cost: $10 per student per program. Includes admission to the Wetland Center. Free for parents/guardians (must be present with their students throughout the program).
• Age: 6-12. Limit of 20 students per program.

This inclusive community event welcomes birders of all ages, abilities, and experience levels to enjoy the wetlands in whatever way works best for them. Staff will be on hand to describe sightings in detail for visually impaired guests, and quiet zones will be available for anyone who needs a calmer birding experience. Whether you’re an experienced birder or picking up binoculars for the first time, come discover the joy of connecting with wetland birds!

Choose from multiple ways to explore:

• When: Saturday, October 24th, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Cost: $7 per person for adults and children 5 and up. 4 and under get in free!
• Online registration: Required, please register!

Cozy up and celebrate the season at Fall Fest!

Join us for a day of autumn fun as the wetlands transform with crisp air and changing colors.

Guests can enjoy a variety of fall-themed activities and crafts, including leaf rubbing, pumpkin decorating, nature-inspired art projects, and seasonal scavenger hunts through the trails. Learn how wetland plants and animals prepare for the changing season, from migrating birds to hibernating critters, all while soaking in the sights and sounds of fall.

• When: Saturday, October 31st
• Time: 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
• Cost: $7 per person for adults and children 5 and up.
• Cost: 4-and-under are free!
• Online registration: Required!

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the landscapes, wildlife, and water resources that make North Texas extraordinary. Every child who experiences a wetland for the first time. Every family who discovers the beauty of a soaring bald eagle. Every educator who inspires curiosity about science and conservation. Every birder who gets a lifer out on the boardwalk. Every community member who learns why clean water and healthy ecosystems matter.

As North Texas continues to grow, helping people understand the critical role of water, wetlands, and wildlife has never been more important. At the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center, our mission is to educate the public and provide research opportunities that advance water quality, water reuse, wetland systems, and wildlife conservation. Through education, we inspire informed stewardship and empower future generations to protect the natural resources on which our communities depend. Every dollar helps us achieve our mission!

To make your evening even more enjoyable, complimentary charter bus transportation will be available between Dallas and the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center.

Your generosity helps the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center:

• Inspire thousands of K–12 students through hands-on environmental education each year.
• Connect families and community members with wetlands, wildlife, and water conservation through immersive public programming.
• Provide engaging educational experiences led by passionate educators and dedicated volunteer stewards.
• Protect and interpret one of North Texas’ premier locations for observing nesting American Bald Eagles, nearly 300 species of birds and countless native wildlife.
• Foster the next generation of scientists, conservationists, educators, outdoor enthusiasts, and environmental leaders.

Bring at least 1 plastic bottle or plastic bag for free admission to the Wetland!

In celebration of Texas Recycles Day, H-E-B is giving Texans free admission to John Bunker Sands Wetland Center.

Each guest is invited to bring in a recyclable item, like a clean plastic bottle or plastic bag in exchange for FREE admission to the Wetland Center!

We will recycle them in an H-E-B provided recycling bin.

• When: Thursday, November 12th through Saturday, November 14th
• Who: Everyone is welcome!
• Cost: Admission for children 12 and under is always free.
• Registration: No registration required

As dusk turns to dark, the sky belongs to the bats! Learn how bats use echolocation to “see” in the dark, why they’re essential to a healthy wetland ecosystem, and bust some common bat myths along the way. It’s a wild, winged adventure you won’t want to miss!

All participants must be comfortable walking outside in wooded areas without lights and be able to remain silent during periods of the program.

We’ll spend some time learning about bats of the wetland before heading out to search for them. Be prepared to walk over gravel and uneven surfaces.

• When: Thursday, November 12th
• Time: 5:00 -7:00 p.m.
• Cost: $10 per person
• Age Limit: 12 & up

Calling all bird watchers! We invite students to spot, listen, and learn about the amazing birds that call the wetlands home. With binoculars in hand, kids will go on a guided bird walk and explore the wetland.

They will further their understanding of our feathered friends through a hands-on activity.

Discover how herons, ducks, and songbirds use the wetlands for food, nesting, and rest during migration!

• When: Tuesday, November 17th, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
• Cost: $10 per student per program. Includes admission. Free for parents/guardians (Must be present with their students throughout the program).
• Age: 6-12. Limit of 20 students per program.
• Online registration:Please register!

Pull up a log and settle in for a cozy night under the stars! This laid-back evening is all about good company, glowing embers, and gooey s’mores by the fire. Whether you’re swapping stories, singing songs, or just soaking in the sounds of the wetlands at night, it’s the perfect way to relax and connect with nature (and each other).

We’ll spend some time around dusk going for a short walk around the wetland and return for a cozy sit around the fire. Be prepared to walk over uneven surfaces. Photography is permitted.

• When: Thursday, December 10th
• Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• Cost: $10 per person
• Age Limit: 12 & up

Professional development for anyone (18+) who works with young children including early childcare professionals, teachers, homeschool parents, and more.

Growing Up WILD invites you to explore and share the fascinating world of wildlife and ecosystems using fun, hands-on educational activities.

This is your chance to attend one of these classes in a truly WILD nature setting with a Project Wild Facilitator!

• When: December 12th, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Workshop participants receive: Three (3) hours of TEA-approved CPE/TEEAC Credit, TXMN AT hours (Calling all Master Naturalists!), Growing Up WILD early childhood guide, and Texas-specific resources!

We invite guests of all ages to discover how wetland wildlife survives the cold months ahead. Through fun educational stations, guests will learn how animals like migrating birds, hibernating mammals, and even fish and frogs adapt to winter’s chill. Warm up with festive winter crafts like pinecone bird feeders, paper snowflakes, and animal track ornaments, all while sipping on a cup of hot cocoa. With twinkling lights, seasonal cheer, and a whole lot of wetland wonder, it’s the perfect way to celebrate the holidays while learning something new about the animals who call the wetlands home!

• When: Saturday, December 12th, come and go, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Cost: $7 per person for adults and children 5 and up. 4 and under get in free!
• Online registration: Required, please register!

Who’s been visiting the wetlands?

Students become wildlife detectives, searching for paw prints, fur, and other clues left behind by wetland mammals like otters, coyotes, and raccoons.

It’s hands-on science with a side of mystery!

• When: Tuesday, December 15th, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
• Cost: $10 per student per program. Includes admission to the Wetland Center. Free for parents/guardians (must be present with their students throughout the program).
• Age: 6-12. Limit of 20 students per program.
• Online registration: Required, please register!