Our Why
At EarthLab, we see the growing disconnect between people and nature as the greatest barrier to addressing environmental challenges. How can we protect what we don’t know, appreciate, or care for? We believe that connecting with the earth is the key to building meaningful lives and resilient communities in a time of environmental crisis. Exploring and getting to know our local ecology is the first step toward bridging this divide.
Vision
We envision a world where the ability to recognize plants and animals, observe the changing seasons, and discover personal connections to the outdoors is second nature. Cultivating this eco-literacy will empower the environmental stewards our communities need now and in the future.
Mission
EarthLab’s mission is to support Central Virginia learners of all ages in building deep relationships with our local ecosystems, with a focus on adolescents and adults. We aim to foster eco-literacy through immersive environmental educational experiences for all.
Meet Our Staff
Britt Usiak, Ed. M
Founder + Director
I was raised in Virginia where I spent summers exploring the trails behind our neighborhood with friends and camping with family and my Girl Scout troop. As a high schooler, I didn’t see the connection or relevance of science class to the magic of exploring the natural world. It wasn’t until I was in my 20s, when I had the chance to experience National Parks Ranger Programs and bring a community garden to my classroom as a middle school teacher that I began to connect the dots on the power of environmental education for learners of all ages. Since then, I’ve worked in education for over a decade, teaching middle and high school math and science in public and private schools, working in summer camps and after school programs, and supporting schools and teachers as an instructional coach. I’m also an avid gardener and hold a Certificate in Urban Agriculture, steward a home-based permaculture project called Shorashim Microfarm, and have started three successful school and community gardens. My approach is place-based, experiential, and rooted in learner’s curiosities, and my diverse experiences allow me to serve as a bridge between formal and informal environmental educators. I hold a bachelor’s of science from Virginia Tech, a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Virginia Professional Teaching License. In my free time, I volunteer as a co-lead for Feminist Bird Club RVA and as a Virginia Master Naturalist.
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