Introduction

 Greetings!

My name is Ren Usher. I am currently a graduate student at VCU in the Urban and Regional Planning Program (MURP) with a concentration in Environmental Planning. I received my bachelor's degree from VCU in 2020 in Urban and Regional Planning, as well as a minor in Environmental Studies.

I have always had an interdisciplinary mindset. I think in order to understand the bigger picture, we need to connect the dots and that includes branches of studies that seemingly aren't related.

For example, I have a strong passion for astronomy, astrophysics, quantum mechanics, and space travel. I originally wanted to become an astrophysicist, but I had a change of heart once I realized I needed to focus on home. Earth. (and for other various reasons as well).

I get pushback sometimes from people who say we need to focus on our planet when they hear me advocating for space science, that we should not waste money on space, but it is in the study of the Cosmos that we understand how important our little planet is. And it's that: it's little.  We are irrelevant in the grand scale of things; scientists are even saying that space-time is irrelevant, yet to us the time we have is crucial. Every action we take has potential to cause a butterfly effect.

What people also don't know is that NASA is one of the largest, if not the largest, companies with Earth Science jobs. Since I grew up being in love with the stars, I naturally had to think sustainably. I had two opportunities to participate in NASA funded projects in high school. We studied the ins and outs of what was required to live in space, the importance of using everything you have as if it was precious because in space it is. After learning about space settlements, I designed a Mars colony for my final. It was this specific experience that truly taught me the importance of sustainability because when you're in space, you don't have the protection of the Earth.

The fragility of the human body and the thin slice of atmosphere we have makes me more than grateful that I am even here to type this - that the ingredients for life were able to build into the life that we are and what we see around us. We are remnants of stardust thriving on a beautiful planet.

My philosophy in life is that everyone has the right to know themselves and this world hardly gives us time for that. I know myself through nature; by connecting to what's around me. I find that connection in the forest, but especially in the mountains. I have my sanctuaries that I retreat to, but not everyone has that and even if there are opportunities to get away in nature, it may not be an ideal location. Maybe it's too bright with not enough shade. Maybe the park is not designed to hold but a certain amount of people so you'd rather stay at home rather than be around others. 

I want to make unique parks full of art and colors, open spaces that allow the practice (and even education) of all beliefs without judgement, places where people can go to stargaze at night that isn't closed after sundown.

Everyone has the right to find a place to find peace and nature offers us just that. The problem to solve is how do we design them better so everyone has access? So that everyone can get away and find themselves.

Aristotle said: “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”