Emerging Professionals in Conservation (EPIC) is an outdoors club dedicated to exploring and preserving the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country. We connect with each other and the environment through adventures, educational events, volunteerism, and philanthropy. Activities include camping trips, nature hikes, kayaking, ranch tours, Lunch & Learns with inspiring speakers, trail cleanups, and more. Membership dues go to support Hill Country Conservancy’s projects in and around Austin, including the Violet Crown Trail. By joining EPIC, you join a network of professionals who care about keeping Austin green, love having fun in nature, and are champions for conservation.
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS:
EPIC Member ($5/month or $50/year)
- Invitation to purchase discounted tickets to EPIC experience activities such as kayaking, spelunking, and more!
- Invitation to all informal EPIC events, such as quarterly lunch and learns, happy hours, and monthly Violet Crown Trail volunteer cleanups
- FREE access to the EPIC Member campout on a private conservation property
EPIC Leader ($25/month or $250/year) & Non-profit Employee* ($15/month or $150/year)
- Invitation to reserve a FREE spot at all EPIC Member experience activities such as camping, spelunking, kayaking and more
- Invitation to all informal EPIC events, such as quarterly lunch and learns, happy hours, and monthly Violet Crown Trail volunteer cleanups
- Discounted tickets to various Hill Country Conservancy events including Earth Day Live concert, galas, and more
- Exclusive invitation to annual EPIC behind-the-scenes conservation easement ranch tour with HCC’s land conservation team
- Invitation to quarterly planning meetings to help steer EPIC events and direction
*Non-profit Employee pricing is offered to students, teachers, and non-profit and government employees. Proof of qualification may be requested.
EPIC Leader Level II ($45/month or $450/year)
- All of the above, plus one additional ticket for each event included in EPIC Leader level
EPIC Sponsor ($1,000/year)
- 5 EPIC Member level memberships
- Logo on EPIC webpage and inclusion as a sponsor EPIC’s meetup.com group page
With membership dues going directly to HCC projects, our members have a meaningful impact on the preservation of Central Texas.
In February 2009, the EPIC Leadership Council voted to allocate the funds raised in 2008 to support a project manager for the Walk For A Day project, now known as the Violet Crown Trail project. By contributing over $20,000, EPIC has not only helped ensure that the VCT will be a well-funded, well-planned community trail, but the group has significantly contributed to a project that will enhance the community and address the challenge to provide equitable, accessible opportunities to experience open space and conservation first-hand.
For the next two years, the Leadership Council allocated membership dues to help produce HCC’s Oral Histories documentary making EPIC the primary financial supporter of the short film: Hill Country Conservancy – Here Forever. This documentary is a key marketing component that helps HCC communicate its mission in an intriguing way.
And in 2011, the funds were reserved for EPIC scholarships. Three have been awarded so far after completing an application process and our new scholarship members are bringing meaningful value to the program!
In addition, EPIC members have helped HCC raise hundreds of thousands of dollars! It is estimated that the program brings in an average of $200,000 each year in unrestricted donations through member participation in fundraising committees.
Questions about your membership? Contact Kylie Rush at kylie@hillcountryconservancy.org