04-07-2008 05:58:12
Fairfield’s Sara Lovitz crusades
Sara Lovitz was born in Waterville, and grew up in Fairfield, attending Fairfield schools, and graduated in 1997 from Lawrence High School.As a student at Lawrence High School, Sara spent much of her time playing sports, was a member of the National Honor Society and Students for Environmental Action. She went on to Colby College - Class of 2001, earning her bachelor of arts degree in chemistry with an environmental science concentration.
After a few different environmental internships and jobs in Colorado, Wyoming, and Washington, DC, she attended the University of Vermont, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, receiving her master of science degree in natural resource planning in 2006.
“I was living back home for the past year but just moved to Hallowell this November to be closer to my job in Augusta.”
Still, she is often found at home visiting her parents, Dr. Jeff and Cindy Lovitz in Fairfield.
“I was always interested in math and science and grew up spending summers outside on Great Pond in Belgrade. I enjoyed growing up with four distinct seasons and the outdoor activities associated with each. I have grown to really appreciate the incredible natural resources we have here in Maine. It was really my time at Colby where I became interested in environmental work – developed from my courses and internships in chemistry and my experience studying abroad in Chile.”
Today, Sara is outreach coordinator for the Energy and Global Warming Project for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Her job varies daily while she works to educate the public about global warming and energy issues, about legislation that addresses these issues, and encourage them to become active participants in the legislative process.
She gives presentations throughout the state: in public libraries, churches, to Kiwanis club meetings, other organizations‚ annual meetings, colleges, high schools, etc. Last spring Sara was invited back to Lawrence High to speak to science classes about how she has used science since school – “My schooling, jobs, internships, and a bit about what I do now regarding energy and global warming in Maine.”
Eric Brown, who invited her, was Sara’s anatomy teacher at LHS. He won the NRCM People’s Choice Award last year for his involvement with the high school environmental group, Gang Green. “I hope to make it to the Junior High sometime soon too,” says Sara.
She has also organized bus trips for Maine residents to learn more about New England’s largest wind farm in Mars Hill, in Aroostook County.
“Our energy project is working to pass sound legislation that helps Maine reach our global warming reduction goals and address the increasingly high costs of oil and gas. All Maine people will benefit from the reduced heating bills that would come with more efficient homes and businesses. Currently, Maine is the only state in the region that does not set a minimum efficiency standard for all new homes and we’re working to change this!” The Natural Resources Council of Maine is a nonprofit advocacy organization protecting, restoring, and conserving Maine‚s environment, for today and for future generations.
They work to improve the quality of Maine’s rivers, reduce poisonous chemicals threatening human and wildlife health, decrease air and global warming pollution, and conserve Maine lands. NRCM harnesses the power of the law, science, and the voices of almost 11,000 supporters statewide and beyond. Whatever your interest in Maine’s environment, just visit www.nrcm.org to access the website and sign up to receive e-updates and e-advocacy alerts. “We welcome everyone who cares about protecting the nature of Maine.”
If you want to receive the monthly “Hot Tips, Cool News” e-newsletter you can do so by taking the Maine Global Warming Challenge at www.maineglobalwarming.org The challenge has some helpful tips on how to reduce your personal global warming pollution and reduce energy costs!