An evening event at Makoshika State Park exploring Montana's prehistoric past with Dr. John Scannella of the Museum of the Rockies. Beginning at 6:30 PM local time (MST). The event explores paleontology and prehistoric history.

H-E-B Free Fourth Sundays offer free museum admission all day, held on the fourth Sunday of every month. Visit greater Austin's only natural history museum to walk beneath the 33-foot wingspan of a pterosaur and come face to face with a Texas Tyrannosaur. Features spectacular fossils of animals and plants that once inhabited Texas, historical to present-day Texas wildlife in dioramas depicting the diverse ecoregions of Texas, and a hands-on Discovery Center designed especially for families and upper elementary-age learners. Upcoming dates: 09/27/2026, 10/25/2026, 11/22/2026, 12/27/2026. Hours: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Museum website: http://sciencemuseum.utexas.edu

Learn all about bats and check out some cool bat skeletons from NHMU (Natural History Museum of Utah)! Family STEAM event, Saturday October 3, 2026, 1:00pm–2:00pm MT.

Free Tuesday at Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia. 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm local time.

In 1997, the Wings Over Water (WOW) Wildlife Festival was established as a way to encourage and offer the public opportunities for wildlife and wildland interpretation, education and experiences on regional national wildlife refuges. This annual fundraising event for national wildlife refuges has grown from offering just a few activities in 1997 to now featuring over 60 birding, paddling, photography, art, and natural history programs. Wings Over Water is an annual fundraising event sponsored by the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society (CWRS), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting regional national wildlife refuges. In addition to providing funds for educational grants to schools, WOW contributes to many CWRS projects, such as maintaining trails, signs, and other refuge structures. Also, WOW helps CWRS provide volunteers and staff who are essential to the maintenance and operation of the regional national wildlife refuges visitor centers and refuges.

Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival began in 1997 to connect the public with wildlife and wildland experiences in regional national wildlife refuges. Hosted across six refuges in northeastern North Carolina, the festival features about 60 programs, including birding, paddling, photography, and natural history, making it one of the premier East Coast wildlife festivals. It also supports refuge conservation and education through the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society. Keynote event will be at the historic Pioneer Theater downtown Manteo, North Carolina. Festival runs October 13-18, 2026 with WOW Encore December 4-6, 2026.

Ages 6-8. Drop-off begins at 8:00am, pick-up by 5:00pm. Actual camp activities run 9:00am-4:00pm. Campers will learn about characteristics of ancient and modern reptiles, explore museum specimens including local and international reptiles, and meet live reptiles from Nebraska presented by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators. Snacks provided; full-day camp requires peanut-free sack lunch.

Ages 6-8. Drop-off begins at 8:00am, pick-up by 5:00pm. Actual camp activities run 9:00am-4:00pm. Campers will learn what it takes to become a paleontologist, touch and explore real fossils from the museum collections, create plaster molds of fossils, and make their own amber insect. Led by an actual vertebrate paleontologist. Snacks provided; full-day camp requires peanut-free sack lunch.

Ages 9-11. Drop-off begins at 8:00am, pick-up by 5:00pm. Actual camp activities run 9:00am-4:00pm. Campers will explore the evolutionary history of dinosaurs during the Mesozoic era and how they evolved into modern birds following the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous period. Topics include theropod dinosaurs (T. rex, Archaeopteryx, Velociraptor), bird adaptations, and Nebraska's native bird species. A vertebrate paleontologist will discuss how understanding of dinosaurs has changed over time. Snacks provided; full-day camp requires peanut-free sack lunch.

Night at the Museum meets Dungeons & Dragons at this unique after-hours experience at NHMU. Meet new friends, dive into character creation and world-building, and begin an epic adventure! All quests are created by local Game Masters of The Legendarium. Included with ticket: after-hours access to the Past Worlds exhibit, a set of dice sourced by the Legendarium, and a 'die'-nosaur dice holder (new design for Fall 2026/Spring 2027!). Open to adults 18+ only. Tables located in the galleries; snacks and drinks allowed in designated 'Tavern' areas on breaks. No alcohol permitted (University of Utah dry campus). Groups may not exceed 6 players per table. Previous D&D experience not required but valued. The August 18, September 15, and October 20 sessions are sold out or registration closed.

WOW Encore is an extension of the Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival, running December 4-6, 2026. This encore event continues the wildlife and conservation programming offered during the main festival.