AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Wildlife Day celebrates everything feathered, furred, smooth and scaled on February 1. The family-friendly event takes place at the Texas Science & Natural History Museum in Austin, Texas between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Meteorologist Tommy House sat down with Dr. Pamela Owen, Associate Director at the Texas Science & Natural History Museum to talk about the event.
Meteorologist Tommy House: We know that Texas Wildlife Day is coming up at the museum. Can you tell us more about it?
Dr. Pamela Owen: Absolutely! Texas Wildlife Day is the museum’s celebration of our wild neighbors. I actually founded this event 10 years ago, and as the museum has evolved—especially as we’ve moved past COVID—we thought it was the perfect time to bring this event back. We’re celebrating all kinds of wildlife, from insects and mammals to birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
We’re partnering with the Texas Master Naturalist, our education team here at the museum, and local wildlife educators to offer the public a chance to learn more about our local wildlife. Living in more urban environments, many young people are losing touch with nature, so this event helps encourage respect and care for wildlife.
It’s a family-friendly day with lots of hands-on activities! You can learn about insects, get a temporary tattoo, make a bat puppet while discovering more about our local Mexican free-tailed bats, and even use handheld microscopes to examine the fine details of mammal fur or bird feathers. We’ll also have live animals on-site, like raptors, snakes, and turtles. It’s a great way to celebrate wildlife and deepen our connection to it.
House: Where can people get tickets and learn more about the event?
Owen: You can purchase tickets online through our website and find more information about the event there. We’re also active on social media, so check out our Instagram and Facebook pages for updates. Tickets will also be available at the door, so if you decide last-minute on Saturday morning, just grab the family and head down to the Texas Science and Natural History Museum. Texas Wildlife Day starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
