"Super" Dave welcomes Meg Latham, Director of Stewardship at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. Meg shares what it was like growing up on the sanctuary after her father, Dr. Harold Laughlin, became the museum’s first director, hired by founder Miss Bessie Heard, who created the preserve to protect a piece of Collin County and educate children as development spread.
They discuss the Heard’s mission, 289-acre sanctuary, trails, seasonal wildlife viewing, and popular features like the animatronic dinosaur trail. Meg explains stewardship work, including community relationships, fundraising, and corporate volunteer projects, plus education programs, field trips, citizen science, and research partnerships, including bird banding and FrogWatch.
To learn more about the museum, visit: https://www.heardmuseum.org/
YouTube Chapter Summary:
00:00 Start
02:23 Growing Up at Heard
03:21 What Is the Heard
05:07 How Her Family Arrived
08:18 Who Was Bessie Heard
13:06 Meg’s Career Path Back
15:19 Stewardship Role Explained
17:20 Nature Lessons and Conservation
20:10 Magic Moments on the Trails
22:28 Why Nature Heals
23:05 Community Support Needed
25:14 Beyond Family Fun
25:58 Research And Citizen Science
28:20 Corporate Volunteer Days
30:24 Trails Size And Hours
32:18 Seasonal Events And Night Hikes
