1 MILLION
FOR $1 MILLION
In pursuit of our largest fundraiser ever, The Trail Conservancy is partnering with local fitness startup Card.io for a dynamic one-million-mile challenge across the Austin running and walking community! Using Card.io’s gamified tracker, we will conduct a community turf war on Lady Bird Lake to see which running, walking, or corporate group truly “runs” the map and this trail.
Our Million Mile Challenge
Card.io is not just another data-tracking app. What sets it apart is the gamified & competitive elements. Our app is like Strava mixed in with Capture the Flag. As you walk or run, while tracking your stats like pace and distance, the area you move through will be claimed for your team. It also integrates with Strava and Garmin so you can upload your routes from there without switching apps.
Throughout January, as app users move along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, they will compete to claim the area or “blocks” they cover during their route and steal them from other clubs. For every mile ran, you donate $1. A user’s completed miles will go toward their personal total and can go toward their team’s total. All miles tracked on the Trail during the month-long challenge will count towards the overarching objective of 1 million miles to raise $1M!
Who is The Trail Conservancy (TTC)?
TTC is the nonprofit organization partner to the City of Austin, fiscally responsible for the care and management of the beloved Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. Their mission is to protect, enhance, and connect the Trail at Lady Bird Lake for the benefit of all. Since their formation in 2003 as a 501(c)(3), they have accomplished this mission by thoughtfully improving the Trail’s infrastructure and environment while respecting the original vision of the Trail’s infrastructure and environment, while respecting the original vision of the Trail’s founders. Initially formed in 2003 as the Town Lake Trail Foundation, TTC continues the Citizen’s Committee’s work and ensures that Austin’s heart stays vibrant.
Will You Be The One Who “Runs” Lady Bird Lake?!
While the goal of 1 million miles is cumulative, we’re adding an additional layer of competition for the city’s go-getters.
Three $1000 cash prizes will be awarded to:
- The individual with the most miles covered over the fundraiser
- The team with the most total miles covered
- The team that owned Lady Bird Lake Turf the longest.
Block ownership and miles for individuals and groups miles will be tracked within Card.io. Participants can check the leaderboard, which is updated daily, to determine their progress and see how they stack up against other participants.
What can $1,000,000
Pay for on the Trail?
Our goal is to raise $1 million, but the impact goes far beyond just a number. Every dollar brings us closer to creating something truly special on the Trail. For every step of the way, your generosity will enhance the Trail experience, big or small. See what else your donations can fund.
Outfits a volunteer
Volunteers are integral to TTC's mission and provide the support and hands required to execute the extensive ecological restoration work. This year, volunteers have worked over 7,500 hours along the Trail. Funds for volunteers support the purchase of trash grabbers, gloves, T-shirts, plenty of cortisone in case the goats missed any poison ivy and more.
Plant one large canopy tree
From the looming bald cypress that line the lake to the live oaks that create beautiful shade canopy for runners, these trees are what create an iconic and unique Trail run experience for all of Austin.
Seeds one acre of the wildflower meadow
These woodland meadow areas provide habitat for birds and bees, reduce urban temperatures and noise, improve water quality through infiltration, and reduce the erosion of the shoreline. Oh and they are BEAUTIFUL, making fall and spring runs on the Trail a respite in nature.
Winterize it!
Help with the upkeep of water fountains and restrooms during and after winter storms - this amount helps winterize lines before severe weather, handle minor repairs caused by hard freezes, and gets everything back on and running for the next sunny running day!
Removes excess litter from the park
This covers the cost of multiple large volunteer events to remove large swaths of litter from along the Trail, park, and shoreline. So far this year, TTC and volunteers were able to remove 16,635 pounds of trash from the park - that’s more than 16 longhorns worth of trash that could be flowing into the lake!
Battle Poison Ivy with Goats on the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all trails)
Helps us bring back our industrious herd of vegetation-loving goats to help with vegetation management. This amount covers over a week of having a herd of over 150 goats on the Trail, the most efficient and cost-effective (and cute) way to manage noxious plants like poison ivy.
New water fountains!
With 10 full miles of a running Trail, we hope to bring additional opportunities for hydration for our runners. This amount will cover the cost of including a water fountain into future projects along the Trail.
Help refresh Trail signage!
TTC has undergone an extensive signage plan for the whole 10+ mile loop to improve wayfinding, mile markers, and more. This will reduce the total number of signs along the Trail but make the area easier to navigate (and easier to track your running miles as well!).
Cover one year of ecological restoration of the shoreline
From regular invasive species removal to establishing over 10,000 plants along the park to stabilize the shore (and create future shade for Trail users). This is a critical component of the Trail user experience - keeping the surrounding parkland green, healthy, and thriving even as our City grows up around it.
Help bring a new project to life!
Help bring a new project to life! TTC has a successful record of leading and providing significant support to the capital improvements of the Butler Trail, from bathrooms to bridges and everything in between. $500,000 would go a long way towards funding some of the upcoming projects in the pipeline along the Trail:
Runner's Respite
By reaching $1,000,000 we can make the biggest impact by creating a new lake overlook on the Trail at the recently opened Holly Lakefront area, with beautiful mature shade trees, water fountains, and areas for stretching or meditation during your run.
Rewards for top donors
For those who participate towards the donation & mileage goal, we’re also offering rewards beyond the benefit we’re bringing to Lady Bird Lake. Here’s a breakdown of the rewards & how to win them:
50 Miles and $50 donated: Special $1M for 1M t-shirt
75 Miles and $75 donated:
$1M for 1M hoodie
100 miles and $100 donated:
Special $1M for 1M windbreaker
150 miles and $150 donated:
Custom engraved plaque
200 miles and $200 donated:
Invite to post fundraiser happy hour for top donors and corporate partners
WHAT DOES TTC DO?
The mission of The Trail Conservancy is to protect, enhance, and connect the Ann & Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail for the benefit of all. With this as the north star, the work of TTC falls into those three pillars.
Previous donation wins
For the past 21 years, TTC has been focused on bringing new projects to life that the Trail deserved but that the City wasn’t able to afford.
Top Donors
Support the fundraiser event and help preserve the Ann and Roy Butler Trail and heart of Austin, Texas.
