Growing the Conservation Community: Inside New Mexico WITO’s 13th Annual Women’s Event

For many women, trying something new outdoors can feel intimidating. 

Maybe they've always wanted to learn to shoot a shotgun but didn't know where to start. Maybe they've dreamed of hunting elk or catching a fish on a fly rod but never had someone to teach them. Or maybe they've simply wondered whether there was a place for them in the outdoors at all. 

For 13 years, the NWTF New Mexico Women in the Outdoors Chapter has been answering that question with a resounding yes. From June 12-14, nearly 80 women gathered at Camp Tall Pines in New Mexico's Lincoln National Forest near Mayhill for the chapter's annual Women in the Outdoors event. Surrounded by the towering pines and cool air of the Sacramento Mountains, participants spent the weekend learning practical outdoor skills, building friendships and growing confidence. 

The annual event reflects the heart of the NWTF Women in the Outdoors program, which was established to introduce women to hunting, shooting sports, fishing, conservation and other outdoor pursuits in a welcoming, supportive environment. Across the country, NWTF WITO volunteers create opportunities for women of all experience levels to gain hands-on skills while building lifelong connections to conservation and one another. The New Mexico chapter has become a shining example of that mission. 

"Our goal every year is simple: create an environment where women feel welcome, encouraged and empowered to learn new outdoor skills," said Helen Butt, NWTF New Mexico State Chapter president and WITO coordinator. "Whether someone has spent a lifetime hunting and fishing or is stepping into the outdoors for the very first time, we want them to leave feeling more confident than when they arrived." 

Throughout the weekend, participants rotated through hands-on classes covering wilderness survival, archery, shotgun patterning, fly fishing, elk hunting, turkey hunting, Dutch oven cooking and more. One class even gave participants the opportunity to field dress a turkey donated annually by a local supporter, providing an authentic learning experience that many had never encountered before. 

The event's popular 3D archery competition drew nearly 60 women, highlighting the growing enthusiasm for outdoor recreation among women throughout the state. 

"That level of participation tells me that women are hungry for opportunities to learn, connect and become more involved in the outdoors," Butt said. "The interest continues to grow each year, and it's exciting to see women of all ages and backgrounds discovering new passions and building skills that will stay with them for a lifetime." 

Yet the greatest victories weren't measured by bull's-eyes or successful casts. They were found in the confidence participants gained, the friendships they formed and the encouragement they shared throughout the weekend. 

"There were lots of favorite moments, but the best ones for me were when a participant would realize she could do something she never thought possible," Butt said. "Whether it was hitting a target with a bow for the first time, learning how to shoot a shotgun, fly fishing, trying outdoor cooking or simply stepping outside her comfort zone, you could see confidence growing throughout the weekend. Watching women encourage one another and celebrate each other's successes is one of the most rewarding parts of the event. The cheers echoed through the mountains — it was great!" 

As participants celebrated one another's successes, strangers became friends, experienced outdoorswomen became mentors and first-time participants discovered they weren't learning alone. It's this sense of belonging that has helped make the event successful for more than a decade. 

Hosting the event at Camp Tall Pines only deepened that experience. Immersed in the beauty of the Lincoln National Forest, participants didn't just learn about conservation — they experienced firsthand the landscapes that benefit from responsible stewardship and healthy wildlife populations. 

"It's one thing to talk about conservation in a classroom," Butt said. "It's another to experience it firsthand in a place like Camp Tall Pines. Being surrounded by the beauty of the Sacramento Mountains allows participants to fully immerse themselves in the outdoor experience. It reinforces the NWTF mission of conservation and education by connecting women directly to the natural resources we're working to protect." 

The weekend also demonstrated the power of community partnerships. Local businesses, organizations and individual supporters donated scholarships, participant backpacks, awards, raffle prizes, event signage and countless other resources that made the experience possible. 

"Our sponsors played a tremendous role in making this weekend possible," Butt said. "Community support is the foundation of this event, and we are incredibly grateful for every business, organization and individual who invested in these women and our mission." 

While participants returned home with new outdoor skills, Butt hopes they left with something even more meaningful. 

"I hope attendees take away a sense of belonging," she said. "I hope they leave knowing that the outdoors is for them, that they are capable of learning new things and that they have a community cheering them on." 

That ripple effect is what keeps volunteers planning year after year. 

"I always say if they leave inspired to introduce a friend, a daughter or another woman to the outdoors, then I've accomplished something truly meaningful," Butt said. "At the end of the day, we're not just teaching outdoor skills, we're building confidence, friendships, conservationists and future leaders."