Welcome to the Austin Chapter of the Texas Outdoors Woman Network! TOWN is an offshoot of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program.
Our goal is to enable outdoor oriented women to meet and build friendships with women who have similar interests.
Our mission is to provide all women the opportunity to learn and experience outdoor activities in natural surroundings through a non-threatening and supportive environment.
We are a volunteer run organization of active women committed to learning about and enjoying the outdoors. We enjoy many activities like hiking, camping, kayaking, biking, geocaching, and more. Our membership events are on Meetup. Our monthly meetings are open to anyone. If you would like to join our organization, please go to our Membership page for more details. If you still have questions or would like to meet our board and members, feel free to attend our monthly meeting or email us at info.town.austin [at] gmail.com.
If you would like to see our events, they are on Meetup
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Our Monthly Meetings are every 4th Tuesday of the month. Unless indicated below, our meetings are both in-person and Zoom. In person meetings are at the Northwest Rec Center at 2913 Northland Drive. If you would like to participate by Zoom, please email us to get the link.
You do not need to be a member to attend our meetings. In fact,we would love to see YOU at a meeting! Please consider yourself invited!
See below for the list of speakers.
Come early if you can help set up tables and chairs.
Meeting agenda:
6:00 — Check in and hellos
6:30 — Business meeting
7:00 — Speaker (see the specific speaker for the month below)
8:15 —Sign off till next time
Hope you can join us!
Monthly Meeting Speakers for 2026
February 24: Learn all there is to know about Purple Martins from our very own TOWNie, Susanne H.
Susanne’s popular presentation at the 2025 Purple Martins’ Party prompted us to have her present to TOWN. Susanne is very knowledgeable about Purple Martin habitats, migration and behavior, as well as a great resource if you would like to add a Purple Martin house to your backyard.
March 24: Back by popular demand, Natasia Moore of TPWD Presenting on Backyard Birds/Native Plants for Birds.
Natasia will talk about our urban birds, some challenges they face and characteristics of urban vs rural birds, and ways we can provide habitat for them – focusing on native plants.
April 28: Jonathan Wright, Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, AFD, Wildfire Division.
Central Texas is experiencing more periods of drought, with increasing wildfire risks getting closer to residential areas. AFD is outreaching to educate Austin residents on wildfire awareness and mitigation. We encourage members to attend this important presentation.
May 26: Angel Schatz, Central Texas Mycology, Mushrooms of Texas
There are thousands of mushroom species in Texas and only a small amount of them are considered choice edibles. Angel Schatz will discuss when, where and how to identify wild edibles, their look-alikes, and give tips on collecting, prepping and cooking. She will talk about the ethics of foraging and how we can all be better stewards of the fungi “kingdom.”
June 23: TOWNies, Sherry M and Anna E will talk about TOWN’s adoption of a portion of Bull Creek as part of Adopt-a-Creek program with Keep Austin Beautiful.
This presentation will cover the issues the area faces, history, and past projects as well as future plans.
July 28: TOWNie Sheila Fitzgerald Shelley, Foraging/Edible Plants of Texas
Never be hungry on the trail! There are lots of edible plants all around us that can enhance your eating and snacking experience. Learn what people who lived in Texas ate before HEB was just around the corner.
August 25: TBD. We are working on bringing an exciting speaker, so check back often.
Sept 22: TOWNie Anna E: Create a Paper Wreath
Get ready for the holidays by learning how to create a paper wreath. A perfect craft to utilize old calendars or maps. Anna E will provide us with instructions and guidance. Square sheets of paper will be provided to make a wreath or bring some of your choosing. It takes 12 squares per project, preferably nothing smaller than 8″ x 8″. The overall color is more important than the specific design.
October: Celebrate TOWN; no meeting
November 17: Board elections and acknowledgement of 2026 Photo Contest winners. Members only. In person only.
Please note this meeting is on the 3rd Tuesday of the month to avoid any conflict with the Thanksgiving holiday.
December: Holiday break; no meeting