George Cofer is the founder and Executive Director of Hill Country Conservancy, a leading Texas land trust that has permanently protected more than 55,000 acres of scenic hills, ranches, watersheds, and trail corridors in the fast-growing Central Texas region. For over 30 years, George has championed innovative conservation strategies that blend permanent land protection with expanded public access, most notably through the creation and ongoing development of the 30-mile Violet Crown Trail—the nation’s first urban-to-wildland trail system connecting downtown Austin to the heart of the Texas Hill Country. As Chair of the Violet Crown Trail Stewardship Council, he continues to guide multi-jurisdictional collaboration among nonprofits, agencies, and landowners to deliver this landmark regional trail. Widely honored for his conservation leadership—including the Nature Conservancy’s Conservation Leadership Award and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s Volunteer Leader recognition—George is celebrated for building durable public-private partnerships that preserve working lands, safeguard drinking-water supplies, and create equitable outdoor opportunities for future generations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin and remains a tireless advocate for balancing growth with the protection of Texas’ iconic natural landscapes.