George Cofer, the Hill Country Conservancy’s founder and longtime CEO, has decided to postpone his retirement from the Westlake-based nonprofit.

“While so many of us are spending the majority of our time staying safely at home, all of us have come to understand now, more than ever, the importance of remaining connected to nature for both our physical and mental well-being,” Cofer said in a news release by the organization April 21. “Although many aspects of how we are living day-to-day continue to change, our focus on conservation and on appreciating and enjoying nature must remain top priorities.”

Cofer had previously announced Feb. 25 his plans to retire after over 20 years with the organization, which works to protect critical habitats, provides recreational access and promotes conservation in the Greater Austin area, according to the nonprofit.

As the ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the Central Texas area, the HCC has been offering virtual trail tours, walks and bird watches, blog updates and newsletters. The organization also continues to provide maintenance on its trails, including the Violet Crown Trail in Southwest Austin and the Westlake area.

The HCC is located at 5524 Bee Caves Road, Ste. G4, Austin. 512-328-2481. www.hillcountryconservancy.org