EarthLab has released an updated and extended strategic plan to guide the next three years of our work. This document reflects a shared commitment aligning our diverse partners — from Tribes and nonprofits to students and faculty — around a common vision for climate action. In times of uncertainty, this roadmap helps us make decisions that honor both our mission and the communities we serve, ensuring that our efforts create lasting, equitable impact.
Our approach to climate action will continue to be organized around four action areas: creating connections at UW and in community, investing in research co-created with community, expanding what’s possible for environmental research and action, and training and mentoring tomorrow’s climate leaders. An additional priority — securing a stable funding model — remains crucial to ensuring EarthLab can deliver greater impact across all four of these action areas.
The strategic plan extension was developed collaboratively among EarthLab staff with input from our network of partners, including UW faculty, staff, researchers, and students; Tribal members and representatives; nonprofit organizations; public agencies; and community members. The plan builds on real successes: nearly $2 million in innovation grants awarded to 29 research teams, a competitive paid summer internship program that’s attracted over 950 applicants, and more than $35 million in federal grants managed while supporting member organizations across the College of the Environment and beyond.
Stay tuned for announcements in the coming months (make sure you subscribe to our newsletter) as we aim to deliver on this plan. Between re-launching an updated Grants Program that will invest in new ways to convene and respond to challenges, in addition to developing new opportunities for UW-community connections, there will be many opportunities to get involved.
With the support of our interim executive director bringing a fresh approach to the work, an experienced leadership team and core team dedicated to the cause, and passionate supporters like you making this work possible, we’re hopeful for the future of EarthLab, for a future where people and planet thrive.