SEAGOVILLE -- The 3,100-acre John Bunker Sands Wetland Center is a research facility dedicated to water quality and supply, and it is open to the public on the first and third Saturday of each month for guided and self-paced tours. The man-made wetland center provides opportunities for research, education and wildlife observation. It includes a 5,400 square-foot facility for exhibitions and a research laboratory for the study of wetland plants and animals. The wetland center encompasses seasonal emergent wetlands, scrub swamps and a flooded bottom-land hardwood forest. The property extends through the counties of Kaufman, Henderson, Ellis and Navarro. The wetland center is a reflection of the vision of John Bunker Sands, a holistic ranch management advocate, who oversaw the development. Wildlife living in the wetland center includes American alligators and migratory birds. The wetland center will feature an award-winning water video, "The State of Flowing Water," in cooperation with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Thursday night, Aug. 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The wetland center is open to the public on the first and third Saturday of each month all year long from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors 60-plus, $3 for children 5 to 12 and children 4 and under are allowed in free. On the first Saturday of the month, the wetland center offers a "Walk and Talk Bird Tour" from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Admission is $10 for non-members and $5 for members. On the third Saturday, which this month is Aug. 18, there is a trail walk on the Bunker's Pond Trail at 10 a.m. Admission is to the trail walk is free with the $5 general admission ticket. Other upcoming events include a workshop "The Magic of Composting," on Saturday, Sept. 1 and "Bird Photography, A Class in the Basics," on Saturday Oct. 20. John Bunker Sands Wetland Center is at 655 Martin Lane, Seagoville, TX 75159. For information about the facility and its events or to become a member, visit http://www.wetlandcenter.com/