The Heard Natural Science Museum Includes a 289-Acre Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney

Before there was a museum, Bessie Heard collected nature prints, butterflies, rocks, minerals, and shells at home. She invited local groups in to see them and hear her stories. In her seventies, those collections became the seed of a public museum.

Heard set up a charitable foundation in 1964 and bought 207 acres south of McKinney. The museum opened in 1967. The wildlife sanctuary later grew to 289 acres, with nature trails through the property.

The sanctuary is in McKinney. Texas Parks and Wildlife lists it as site PPWW 100 on the Lake Lavon Loop wildlife trail.