Today more than 80% of Americans live in urban areas and by 2050 it is estimated that 70% of the world’s population will call a city ‘home’. Our cities are built on lands and river systems that connect to larger natural areas. The protection of that land and water is vital for a city’s economy and the health and well-being of its urban residents. Ecological Places in Cities, EPiC, is a network of cities and conservation groups working together towards a new vision that integrates nature’s benefits and natural defenses with the needs of our urban future. We use advanced urban planning approaches along with innovative civic leadership to ensure that urban nature and our future generations can grow and thrive together.