who we are

Set amid a working cattle ranch and an expansive wetland on the East Fork of the Trinity River, the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center is a nature center, an educational destination for teachers, a birder’s paradise and photographer’s dream, and a serene escape to nature like no other in North Texas.

Our mission is multifaceted: to educate the public about water, wetlands, and wildlife, provide clean water to millions of North Texas Residents, and conduct research. We achieve this through a range of environmental education programs, including the East Fork Water Reuse Project, a 2,000-acre wetland that supplies drinking water. We have reached thousands of students with science and ecology classes and field research experience that inspires conservation literacy. In addition, we offer a variety of nature seminars, bird walks, boardwalk tours, scouting programs, and special events focused on the natural world.

Our boardwalk into the wetland and miles of trails allow visitors of all ages to immerse themselves in diverse habitats that host some 300 species of birds, including bald eagles, and scores of native mammals, insects, amphibians and reptiles just 30 miles from downtown Dallas.

john bunker sands wetland center

Our Mission and Vision

Conservation Literacy of Water, Wetlands and Wildlife:
Our mission is to educate the public and provide research opportunities in the areas of water reuse, quality and supply, wildlife conservation and wetland systems.
Our vision is to be the premier education and destination nature center serving the North Texas region and beyond.

Our Board of Directors

Storm Sands, President
The Rosewood Corporation
Jamie Steinberg, Vice President
Protiviti
Terry Sam Anderson, Treasurer
North Texas Municipal Water District, Retired
Lauren Rose Sands, Secretary
The Rosewood Corporation
Jenna Covington
North Texas Municipal Water District
Haven Heinrichs
The Rosewood Corporation
Jack May
North Texas Municipal Water District
Anjanette Murry
Crandall Independent School District