Sharing the Joy of Birds, One Walk at a Time

When Rachel Zierzow leads a bird walk, something special happens — new birders find their confidence, longtime birders rediscover their wonder, and everyone leaves feeling more connected to the natural world.

In the last year alone, Rachel has led dozens of bird walks, introducing hundred of people to birding across Austin’s trails and preserves. From the Barton Springs Greenbelt to Reimers Ranch, she says one of the most rewarding part of leading a walk is meeting such a wide range of people — “young people, older people, all ages… many from out of town, a big mix of people from different backgrounds that all enjoy doing this activity.”

Rachel’s birding journey began years ago, in college in Maine, when she signed up for an ornithology class on a whim. The professor was legendary, the syllabus was 40 pages long, and after the very first field trip, she was hooked.

“I was amazed by how much there was to learn,” she recalls, “and how I’d lived my life up to that point knowing none of it.”

That curiosity has shaped her life ever since. Though she’s built a career as a personal chef and culinary instructor, Rachel’s background in biology and ornithology continues to guide her passion for the outdoors. She’s co-led field trips with Travis Audubon since 2023,  and now serves on the Travis Audubon Board of Directors, helping guide the organization’s conservation and education work.

Rachel says volunteering gives her as much as she gives it:

“I volunteer with Travis Audubon because, of all the ways I can spend my time, sharing my passion and knowledge for birding is something I feel like I can contribute to the organization. I also get the same amount back from all the time I spend outdoors and with the people — I benefit greatly from doing it, and hopefully other people benefit from me.”

Her advice to anyone considering volunteering? Start with something that sounds fun. “There are so many ways to get involved — leading walks, teaching kids, restoring habitat, or even creating something new like the Poetry Bird Walks,” she says.

Her time on the board has also deepened her understanding of how advocacy fits into conservation work:

“It made me realize how important it is to have an organization like Travis Audubon speaking up — writing letters, showing up at the Capitol, and working with others to make sure conservation has a voice.”

Rachel lives in South Austin with her husband and daughter, and continues to inspire others to connect with birds, nature, and one another through her leadership and example.

Curiosity. Caring. Passion. Fun. Nature. Those are the five words Rachel uses to describe the spirit of Travis Audubon — and, in many ways, they describe her too.