DENTON (UNT), Texas — University of North Texas students and faculty shared their knowledge of insects and conservation at the grand opening of the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary’s Bugs LIVE exhibit in McKinney. Running through June 29, the exhibit features giant animatronic bugs along a scenic nature trail, offering an up-close look at the insect world.

The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary offers hands-on exhibits and outdoor experiences, including a 289-acre wildlife sanctuary with diverse habitats. Founded by Bessie Heard in 1967, the museum emphasizes education, conservation and preservation, serving over 100,000 visitors annually.

As part of the Bugs LIVE opening, UNT’s Bee Campus Committee student volunteers were on hand to engage with visitors about pollinators and sustainability. Bee Campus Committee chair Caitlin McAdoo, a senior majoring in geography, explained the group hoped to expand attendees’ knowledge of bees and their role in ecosystems.

“We’re educating people on the kinds of native bees we have in Texas, as well as their behaviors,” McAdoo said. “As pollinators, bees are responsible for supporting most of our food supply.”

The student group, supported by UNT’s We Mean Green Fundpollinator-friendly initiatives across campus.

Joining them was Dr. Elinor Lichtenberg, UNT assistant professor specializing in insect behavior and community ecology. She researches plant-animal interactions, insect foraging and biodiversity in the Department of Biological Sciences, and discussed land management best practices for supporting pollinators at the event.

"In Texas, we have about 5,000 native plant species. That means over 4,000 plant species in Texas alone are benefitting from and dependent on pollinators,” Dr. Lichtenberg said.

Dr. Jaime Baxter-Slye, a clinical assistant professor for ecology education at UNT, focuses on pollinator health and habitat restoration. She leads UNT’s Pollinative Prairie, a campus project that transforms open land into a pollinator-friendly habitat. At the event, she discussed the relationship between insects, birds and our ecosystems and food chains.

“When I walk onto a prairie, I wonder, ‘Are there enough plants here for the grasshoppers that will feed our mockingbirds?’” Dr. Baxter-Slye said. “We must consider these relationships when thinking about the food web.”

In addition to faculty experts, UNT students passionate about environmental outreach connected with visitors about how to support insect populations. Emma Morris, a junior geography major and Bee Campus Committee member, said general education can help individuals peacefully coexist with their bug neighbors.

“Bees need native plants, rotting wood and exposed dirt for nesting, but these are often seen as undesirable in society,” Morris said. “When people learn about native pollinators and their needs, they can help meet them more effectively.”

About Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary

Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing nature and people together to discover, enjoy, experience, restore and preserve our priceless environment. The Heard was founded in 1967 by Bessie Heard at the age of 80. In a time when the rate of expansion of the Metroplex was slower than today, she foresaw the need to preserve a place where future generations could experience nature. Today, the Heard's mission of bringing nature and people together is carried out through education, emphasizing an appreciation of nature and its conservation. For more information, visit HeardMuseum.org.