A Learning Place for Children
Life Sciences, Natural Resources, Conservation
Animal Life Center
Crowe’s Nest Farm was founded by two educators who had a vision of creating an Animal Life Learning Center for children. Dr. Diane Crowe, a world renown public educator, and Executive Director Dave Williams have grown the Farm from its humble beginnings in 1983 to one of the premier outdoor education centers serving over 40,000 Central Texas school children a year.
Crowe’s Nest Farm educational programs center on fostering public appreciation, knowledge and wise stewardship of the agricultural and wildlife resources of Texas. We are proud to be one of the few organizations in Texas that takes in, cares for, and provides homes for orphaned, injured, abused, neglected and unwanted domestic livestock and non-releasable Texas wildlife. Nearly all of the animals at Crowe's Nest Farm are rescues! We provide these animals with the best life possible, while utilizing them to teach the public about conservation, preservation, and the importance of wise animal and land stewardship. Our exhibits and grounds were created by educators with this in mind.
We are licensed by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, U.S. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Crowe's Nest Farm works with local organizations such as Wildlife Rescue, Inc, the Travis County Sheriff's livestock division, and local humane societies.
School Groups - Tours.
School groups are invited to book a tour to visit. Join our tour guides for a learning adventure, then explore the farm at your own pace. Tours are 60-90 minutes and begin at the Big Red Barn with orientation and learning exhibits. This is followed by a hayride and a trip to the Dairy Barn for a lesson on dairy and a milking demonstration.
Weekdays: Tours are by appointment only and may be scheduled for Monday-Friday at 10:00 or 11:30 a.m. from October 1 through December 15, and March 1 through July 31.
Weekends: Saturday tours for groups of 20 or more are available with special arrangement. They start at 11a.m.
Teachers Resources.
Teachers are critically important advocates of the life sciences and we are here to support you. At Crowe's Nest Farm, we work to help teachers enhance their students' understanding and appreciation of agriculture and wildlife.
Virtual Tours
Donate $10, $15, or $20 and bring our farm to your classroom. These three narrated videos provide lessons on farm animals and Texas wildlife.
Tour 1 - Texas reptiles, barnyard nursery & farm animals, 35 min.
Tour 2 - Texas Wildlife, learn about coatimundis, ringtails, giant tortoises, bobcats, owls and more -33 min.
Tour 3 - Dairy production & the hayride exhibits - See a milking demonstration, bison and a male ostrich -16 min.
Workshops.
Beyond our everyday educational activities at the farm, we provide workshops and in-service programs covering basic agriculture, livestock husbandry and products, Texas-native wildlife, and injured wildlife rehabilitation. We also facilitate school garden programs and classroom incubation programs with fertilized chicken eggs.
Utilize our teacher workshops and other educational resources to help enrich student learning.
Contact us to set up a workshop or an educational consultation.
A Learning Environment.
Our farm includes educational exhibits geared for youth and their families.
The Big Red Barn is home to our reptiles, amphibians and insects along with other educational exhibits and a meeting room.
Our Tiny Farm is home to our miniature farm animals, ponies and hooved youngsters requiring extra human care.
The Dairy Barn is equipped with a working milking machine for live demonstrations
Walking paths lead visitors to all of our domestic livestock and wildlife areas, gardens and exhibits.
Free guided Hayrides take visitors to our outer pastures with bison and ostriches
Children’s-story and fairytale-themed flower, vegetable, and herb gardens cover the grounds of the main farm visitor area
New organic vegetable gardens are open to visitors
The Birdwood trail’ invites visitors to walk and enjoy nature and a trickling stream with gardens along the way.
Educational Excellence.
All of Crowe's Nest Farm's educational activities operate under the direction of Dr. Diane Crowe. She has over 43 years-experience as an educator, of which 27 are as an Austin ISD and Round Rock ISD elementary school principal. She was an international speaker for the National Science Teachers Association of America and the founding president of the Texas Science Teachers Association. Awards include:
Humanitarian of the Year — Austin Humane Society
Environmental Education Award — Texas Land Commission
Distinguished Leadership Award in Science Education — Texas Science Teachers Association