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If you were to ask some of the McKinney locals what they consider to be McKinney's greatest treasure, many might say the Historic Downtown Center. But I would bet just as many would tell you it is "The Heard Museum".
Although it is commonly referred to as "The Heard Museum" its full name is "The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary". Of course, it has a natural science museum, but that is not what makes it such a special place. It is first and foremost, a pristin, 289-acre wildlife sanctuary and nature preserve.
The museum and sanctuary were donated to Collin County by Miss Bessie Heard who bought the land and opened the museum in 1967. Her intention was to preserve a special place where everyone could enjoy the beauty of nature and animals as well as become educated about the world of natural science.
The Heard Museum is located in east McKinney, near the intersection of 1378 (also called Country Club Road) and Greenville Avenue (also called Highway 5). Click Here to view an interactive location map. The physical address is
One Nature Place
McKinney, Texas 75069
Phone - 972.562.5566
As you view the pictures below, it is really hard to believe these three diverse ecosystems exist just minutes from Allen, Fairview, Lucas, or Parker. You can walk through a Blackland Prairie (which has become almost extinct), an old growth forest with 200 year old trees, and my favorite, a boardwalk through some wetlands that might remind you of the Everglades.
As you look at the pictures below, keep in mind this is all just a few short minutes from Allen, Fairview, and Lucas. Although the guest fees are nominal, we support the Heard with a family yearly membership ($75). If you think it is a worthwhile cause and appreciate what they are doing for our children, I hope you will also consider doing the same thing.
A couple of things to remember if you are going to walk the trails ... wear comfortable walking shoes and you might want to bring along insect repellant. We have walked the trails in the Spring, Fall, and Summer and every one of those seasons has something to offer in the way of wildlife and/or color.
I want to thank Amber Kaiser, the marketing and communications director for the Heard Museum for filling in the blanks on some questions I had. You can contact her with your questions at akaiser@heardmuseum.org
You could drive right by the entrance and not see it, so be on the lookout for the small sign
A lovely 2-acre native plant garden welcome visitors. There are educational signs throughout the native plant garden that give information about various plants and flowers. Every year there is an immensely popular native plant sale.
Another view of the native plant garden.
This circular space in the native plant garden provides visitors with a relaxing place to sit. School groups sometime congregate here to review the educational agenda when they visit for field trips. In addition, it provides a beautiful rental option for quaint parties or weddings.
This was a group of students on a field trip.
Another view of the native plant garden.
One of the shady meeting areas. This one elevates into the woods.
A gazebo provides visitors and trail hikers with a place to get ready or re-group for their trail adventure. Information signage also educates people about the sanctuary.
Visitors walking in the prairie habitat.
The guided trail tours are available by appointment. The trail guide is educating them on the surrounding habitat and trees.
The Three Ecosystems Found within the Sanctuary
Number One - The Wetlands
The Wood Duck Trail is a self-guided 1 mile wetlands boardwalk and overland trail with the best view of the wetlands. It also provides an excellent site for birding.
Number Two - The Blackland Prairie
A few different trails meander throughout different parts of the prairie habitat including the Sycamore and Bluestem trails. The Bluestem is a 1 mile (round trip) trail that provides the best view of the prairies and is an excellent place to watch butterflies.
Blackland Prairie, once the predominate ecosystem for much of Texas is almost extinct.
Number Three - The Woodlands
The Hoot Owl Trail is a self-guided half-mile easy-to-moderate trail with a nice combination of upland and bottomland terrain. The vegetation and trees provide gorgeous foliage during the Fall, Summer, and Spring.
The woodlands has some real elevation changes (for this part of Texas anyway). It is hard to tell, but this is one of the highest points on the trail. This is actually at treetop level.
There are scattered benches in shady spots along the trail.
As you can see, the paths are all very well maintained.
A look up at some of the towering trees. Pictures don't do these trees justice because they are much larger than they appear here.
At least one of these massive Bur Oaks is estimated to be 200 years old. To put that in perspective, it was a mature tree during the Civil War.
Back To Civilization
The Heard Museum Visitor's Center
The visitor’s center and Heard Nature Store provides visitors with a place to ask questions and learn more about the museum, pick up informational materials and trails maps as well as shop in the Heard Nature Store. The Heard Nature Store offers a shopping experience created especially for nature lovers. Bird houses, bird feeders, garden accessories, nature books, children’s nature toys and many more unique items can be found here.
Fossil Dig Mammoth bones are in the case.
This room features a unique collection of sea shells and other oceanic artifacts.
Temporary birding exhibit “A Bird in the Hand” which includes dozens of bird species, information on bird banding and a video narrating a nest box showing.
Temporary exhibit featuring artifacts and education about dinosaurs.
Permanent “Venomous Snakes of Texas” exhibit which features various venomous native Texas snakes including rattlesnakes. Snake feedings are also held every Wednesday at 3 P.M. and is open to the public.
Temporary exhibit on dinosaurs.
Collection exhibit featuring dozens of different rocks, minerals, and other “Texas Treasures”
“Living Lab” is a permanent exhibit featuring a fantasy science laboratory within a forest setting and allows people of all ages to explore the natural sciences - biology, ecology and geology - and invites a better understanding of The Heard's most valuable asset, the Heard Wildlife Sanctuary. The room is complete with scientific instruments that allow guests to manipulate, to measure and to observe many specimens and to answer scientific questions in a fun and interactive fashion.
The Research Center
The Science Resource Center is home to education classrooms and meeting facilities. It was designed using green architecture and overlooks the wetlands habitat.
The space is used for meetings and other events including receptions and parties as it is available for rent.
Wedding ceremonies have taken place here followed by a reception on the event hall.
The main hall boasts 20’ ceilings and a 9’x16’ media screen.
A large deck off the Science Resource Center hall offers gorgeous views of the wetlands.
One of the three visitor picnic areas located within the sanctuary.
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