Austin Outside Committees

Committees are one of the main mechanisms that Austin Outside achieves its mission, vision, and strategic goals. Please see our strategic plan here. As an AO member, you are invited to join any of the committees listed below. Please contact hello@austinoutside.org to learn more.

ad hoc Austin Bond Election Committee

This committee exists to identify, support, and advocate for projects in the upcoming City of Austin bond election cycle that provide the highest benefit to the community when reducing carbon emissions & promoting climate resilience.

Currently, this committee meets monthly.

Development & Finance Committee

This committee provides financial analysis, advice, and oversight of the organization’s budget as well as the responsibility for raising funds to support Austin Outside’s mission. It is their responsibility is to ensure the organization is operating with the financial resources it needs to provide programs and services to members and the community.

Currently, this committee is recruiting members.

Membership Committee

Austin Outside’s Membership Committee exists to recruit new members & foster positive experiences for all members. Additionally, the Committee completes goals set out in AO’s Strategic Plan.

This committee meets bi-monthly.

Nature & the Environment Committee

AO’s Nature and Environment Committee exists to preserve,  restore, and enhance nature in Greater Austin through member projects and by encouraging policies that support a green, biodiverse, and ecologically resilient and sustainable region that protects both wildlife and people.

Currently, this committee meets monthly.

Parks and open space Committee

Austin Outside’s Parks and Open Space Committee exists to advocate for equitable growth and support of the Greater Austin regional parks and open space system, amenities, and access. 

The Committee’s 2024 priorities include:

  • Provide a coordinating force among AO Members

  • Advocate for bond funds for city, state, county, and federal parks and open space

  • Working with partners to increase funding for parks in the City of Austin and Travis County budget

  • Rethink Parkland Dedication funding for residential and commercial developments.

  • Support and advocate for organizations making investments (time, treasure, and talent) and promoting parkland and park access with an equity lens

  • Monitor parks and open spaces planning efforts in Central Texas to track implementation and provide appropriate input with a focus on ensuring plans implemented with an equity lens.

Currently, this committee meets monthly.

Trails and Active Transportation committee

AO’s Trails & Active Transportation Committee advocates for and monitors the implementation of all active transportation plans within the Greater Austin Metropolitan Area.

The committee promotes equitable access to bicycling, walking, and rolling infrastructure throughout the Greater Austin Metropolitan Area through:

  • Monitoring Austin metro area governmental activities for opportunity to have our collective voice heard on Trails & Active Transportation topics (cities, counties, CAMPO, CTRMA, TxDOT, ISDs)

  • Giving coordinated feedback on all area active transportation planning (mobility plans, criteria manuals, policy, etc)

  • Coordinating advocacy on Trails & Active Transportation projects within the Austin metro area

  • Advocating for Vision Zero principles

  • Creating a welcoming place for Trails & Active Transportation advocates to share information and collaborate

2024 Objective:

Advocate for specific projects and funding for a seamless network of trails, bikeways, and sidewalks that makes it easy, safe, and fun for people of all ages and all abilities in the Greater Austin Metropolitan Area to walk, bike, and roll where they want to go.

This committee has a number of subcommittees that meet for more in depth discussions.

Currently, this committee meets monthly.

future Proposed Committees

Communications Committee