Hagerman NWR to host National Day of Conservation event on Sept. 26

On Saturday, Sept. 26, Mossy Oak Properties Cross Timbers Land & Home will partner with Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) to host a local National Day of Conservation event at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge.

The volunteer event will bring together land professionals, conservationists, outdoor enthusiasts, families and community members with one shared purpose: leaving the land better than they found it.

For Mossy Oak Properties Cross Timbers Land & Home, the event is about far more than fulfilling a company initiative. It is an opportunity for people who make their living working with land to give something meaningful back to it.

Broker and owner Jared Groce has spent years helping clients buy and sell farms, ranches, recreational properties and hunting land throughout North Texas and Southern Oklahoma. That work has strengthened his belief that enjoying and owning land also carries a responsibility to care for it.

“Conservation is not just something we talk about—it is something we believe should be practiced,” Groce said. “The land gives so much to our families and communities. This is an opportunity to give some of that back while helping protect it for the generations who will come after us.”

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge provides an ideal setting for putting that belief into action. Located on the southern end of Lake Texoma, the refuge offers valuable habitat for migratory birds, native wildlife and plant species while giving visitors a place to experience and learn about the outdoors.

Through the partnership with Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, volunteers will have an opportunity to assist with hands-on conservation and improvement efforts coordinated for the refuge. The day is also intended to help participants better understand the importance of healthy wildlife habitat, responsible land stewardship and the role ordinary citizens can play in protecting natural spaces.

Conservation does not always require a large organization, a significant donation or years of specialized experience. It can begin with picking up litter, maintaining a trail, improving wildlife habitat or simply taking the time to learn why these places matter. When those individual efforts are brought together, they can make a lasting difference.

Organizers hope the September event will also encourage families to participate. Introducing children and young people to conservation gives them a personal connection to the land and helps build an appreciation for the outdoor heritage that remains such an important part of life in North Texas.

The National Day of Conservation is ultimately about bringing people together—not only to complete a day of work, but to build a stronger culture of stewardship throughout the region.

Mossy Oak Properties Cross Timbers Land & Home and Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge hope this will become an annual community tradition, growing each year as more residents, businesses and organizations become involved.

Community members, families, outdoor groups and local businesses are encouraged to participate on Sept. 26. No matter a person’s age or previous conservation experience, there is value in showing up and lending a hand.