From the field journal · A new chapter
Some of Austin’s best stories are waiting just beyond the shoreline. Help us get a little closer.
A little help getting our feet wet.
We’re working toward our first giant paddleboard and electric motor—a new way to share the birds, quiet corners, and sunset stories of Lady Bird Lake.
Picture a morning watching herons along the shoreline, or an evening exploring Austin from the water. Paddle together on the way out, then let the electric motor lend a hand on the return.
Your support helps bring these experiences to life. Explore the campaign offerings below and join us for the next chapter.
Help put this chapter on the water
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Less traffic. More turtles. The herons approve.
The plan, one paddle stroke at a time
Big adventures start with a few practical things.
$1,200 milestone
Help fund our first giant paddleboard and make room for a new kind of adventure on Lady Bird Lake.
The adventure needs something to float on.
$3,000 milestone
Our next milestone adds the electric motor and battery to help with the return trip after a morning or evening of exploring.
A little backup for the paddle home.
The best way to understand an Echos experience is through the people who’ve already joined us in the field.
What an absolutely unforgettable experience!
Our guides Rob, Nathan and John were phenomenal — so warm, friendly and knowledgeable. They made the whole experience feel special from start to finish, sharing fascinating information about the bats throughout the evening. You could tell they genuinely love what they do.
Paddling out on the water at sunset and then watching the bats emerge from under Congress Avenue Bridge in their thousands was one of those jaw-dropping moments you just don't forget. The timing was perfect and the setting was absolutely stunning.
If you're visiting Austin — or even if you live here — this is a must-do. Highly, highly recommend! 🦇🌅🛶
Signed up for the bat tour and it did not disappoint!! John was a great guide and very approachable and friendly! Great storytelling throughout the tour with fun facts! I’d highly recommend this if you want to be in awe of the 1.5 million bats that Austin’s known for!
One of the coolest kayaking experiences ever! John and his team were amazing—funny, friendly, and excellent at guiding the whole group. Watching 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge was absolutely stunning, almost unbelievable. Highly recommended!
John was an amazing guide! He was very friendly and knowledgeable. Answered many of my questions and more. I cannot recommend this bat tour enough! Saw so many bats and the combination with the skyline, a gorgeous experience.
The places we explore are more interesting when you know what you’re looking at. Our Field Journal dives deeper into the wildlife, history, landscapes, and stories behind the experiences.
Mexican free-tailed bats can travel dozens of miles in a single night while feeding. The colony beneath Congress Avenue Bridge is one of the most famous urban wildlife spectacles in Texas.
A great guide does more than know where to go. They notice what others miss, know the stories behind the landscape, answer the questions you didn’t know you had, and make the people around them feel welcome.
We know the routes, but that's only part of the job. We're here for the wildlife, history, hidden places, strange stories, and the questions that lead somewhere unexpected. Stay curious. Ask questions. Take the longer look.
Adventures come with questions. Here are a few things worth knowing before you join us in the field.
Not for most experiences. We’ll let you know exactly what to expect before you arrive, and our guides will help you get comfortable with the equipment, route, and conditions before we head out. If an experience requires a particular fitness or skill level, we’ll make that clear before you book.
Texas weather gets a vote. We keep an eye on conditions leading up to every experience and will adjust, delay, or reschedule when conditions make that the responsible choice. A little weather can make an adventure memorable; unsafe weather isn’t something we play with.
No—and that’s part of exploring a living place. Wildlife moves on its own schedule. We plan experiences around the best seasons, locations, and conditions we know, but we never want to turn a wild animal into a promise. There will always be more to discover than any single species.
It depends on the experience. Your booking information will include a practical packing list and anything specific you’ll need for the day. In general, come prepared for the outdoors, dress for the weather, bring your curiosity, and don’t worry—we’ll tell you about the important stuff.
Absolutely. We work with private groups, residents, hotels, organizations, and teams to create experiences that fit the people coming along. Depending on the trip, we can help with transportation, food, activities, and other details that make the experience feel like your own.
Echos is for people who want to actually experience the place they’re visiting. We explore wildlife, landscapes, history, science, and the stories that make Texas what it is. You don’t need to be an expert outdoorsperson—you just need to be interested in looking a little closer.
Keep exploring, even when you're not with us. Get field notes, new expeditions, Texas wildlife, hidden places, stories from the road, and the occasional reason to get outside.
Some thing
Some thing
10% funded
10 backers
Time remaining
Pledge 20% (5$) today!