Check out the Fort Worth Nature Center for free with Library passes

Check out the Fort Worth Nature Center for free with Library passes

Published on August 30, 2024

You don't have to go far to get away from it all. A preserved prairieland brimming with wildlife and native foliage is in Fort Worth's back yard, and now it's accessible for free with passes from the Fort Worth Public Library.

• Library cardholders can check out free general admission to the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge.
• There are 25 passes available for checkout at Fort Worth Public Library locations and 25 ePasses that can be downloaded to a mobile device to gain admission for a party of up to five people per visit.
• The passes are valid for one week and are free gate admission only. Fees apply for added experiences such as group tours, special programs and craft activities.

Dr. Jared Wood, acting manager at the Nature Center, has a few tips for first-time explorers.

"Take your time exploring! At over 3,600 acres, the Nature Center & Refuge is one of the largest municipally owned nature centers in the country," Wood said. "With more than 21 miles of hiking trails and plenty of paddling opportunities, there's no shortage of ways to immerse yourself in nature. I recommend starting your visit at the Hardwicke Interpretive Center, where our knowledgeable naturalists can guide you to the best spots to explore, depending on the season."

• Visitors will share space with native flora and wildlife including bison, deer, prairie dogs, alligators and more. The Nature Center also serves as a sanctuary for those plants and animals, he said, and protects the local watershed.
• For humans, there is the chance to find peace away from city life, reconnect with nature and boost their mental well-being.

"I want new visitors to leave with a profound appreciation for the Nature Center & Refuge's unique beauty and ecological and cultural significance," Wood said. "It is rare to find such a vast, wild and biodiverse area in an urban environment. Protecting this natural gem requires the support and stewardship of our visitors and the community."

During the past three summers, the Nature Center and Library partnered to offer free general admission to families with a library card to enjoy story times and nature walks.

• The 2024 installment saw 381 people participate in the activities on the first Mondays in June, July and August.
• The passes available from the Library increase opportunities for residents to take in the Nature Center.

The Nature Center provides a perspective that becomes harder to find as a city's growing population leads to changes in the landscape.

"It's extremely important. The Nature Center & Refuge is a living museum that preserves both our ecological and cultural history," Wood said. "Its natural areas offer a window into what Fort Worth looked like before urban development, while our archaeological, homestead and Civilian Conservation Corps sites tell the story of human settlement in the region."

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