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TOWMA Overview
As the name implies, TOWMA – The Texas Organization of Wildlife Management Associations - is an organization that brings together wildlife management and prescribed Burn associations throughout Texas to achieve common goals and objectives. We exist for several reasons, including the fact that there is strength in numbers. While individual wildlife associations or burn associations may consist of dozens or hundreds of landowners, TOWMA, by bringing them all together, represents thousands. Consequently, TOWMA is more likely to be listened to when addressing issues at the state and national level that affect land owners, land owner’s rights, and wildlife in Texas.
TOWMA has representation on important committees that provide guidance to legislators who pass laws affecting wildlife and land use practices. TOWMA also monitors legislation and other state wide issues affecting landowners and communicates that information to its membership. We do not lobby, but instead act as an informational resource and the voice of our member landowners.
TOWMA provides the assistance, guidance, information and resources needed when landowners start new wildlife management or prescribed burn associations. By sharing “best practices” we can save WMA volunteers many hours of work. Dozens of challenges face the officers and boards of wildlife and burn associations. Recognizing that experienced WMA leaders have already found answers to many issues, TOWMA provides a vehicle for sharing information and re-usable templates to help organizations avoid “re-inventing the wheel.”
TOWMA provides educational opportunities to its members and the public. Every other year a two day Symposium is held that brings together some of the best wildlife professionals in the United States. Additional learning resources are contained in our member newsletters and this website. TOWMA maintains a speaker roster for associations seeking expert speakers on a variety of subjects.
The TOWMA board of directors consists of one voting representative from every active member association. Consequently, the president of a TOWMA member organization, or their designated alternate, is a TOWMA voting board member and is encouraged to attend all TOWMA board meetings and vote on issues before the board. This assures TOWMA hears from and considers the positions of all its membership in forming policy.
In addition to three officers, consisting of a President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer, TOWMA utilizes an Advisory Board consisting of twelve members and three ex-officio members. These committee members represent a variety of backgrounds and as volunteers they perform a variety of tasks for TOWMA.
Not all TOWMA members are wildlife associations. Organizations whose functions compliment TOWMA are considered for membership. Examples include Prescribed Burn Associations, which provide fire training and promote prescribed fire in their regions. Memberships of this type are beneficial to both organizations since they expand membership, share resources and act as partners in enhancing habitat and wildlife in Texas.