2018 Conservation Award Hero George Cofer
George Hume Cofer, Jr. is a sixth-generation Austinite and fifth-generation Texas rancher. His love of the great outdoors and conservation of the natural environment come from being blessed by the opportunity to spend his childhood summers on a working cattle ranch along the Frio River in Uvalde County and from his outdoor experiences as an Eagle Scout.
George is (the founding) Chief Executive Officer of the Hill Country Conservancy, a nonprofit land trust that marshals public and private resources to preserve the natural areas and scenic vistas, aquifers and springs, rivers and streams, working farms and ranches, and the rural heritage of the Central Texas Hill Country for people to enjoy and cherish for generations to come.
George was the founding Chair of Earth Share of Texas in 1992. Earth Share of Texas represents seventy local, statewide, national and international environmental and conservation nonprofit groups in workplace, employee contributions campaigns.
His participation in the creation of the thousand-acre Barton Creek Wilderness Park and the Beverly S. Sheffield Environmental Education Center (SPLASH! into the Edwards Aquifer); the Violet Crown Trail and helping preserve 45,000 acres in central Texas are highpoints of his community involvement.
For fun, George surfs hurricane-driven waves, and cycles everywhere rain or shine.