A Kent woman has been awarded an environmental grant by Aquarion Water Company.  Their 4th annual Environmental Champion Awards were given on Saturday during a ceremony featuring the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner. 

Laurie Doss of Kent was presented with $2,500 for an environmental non-profit of her choice.  She chairs the science department at Marvelwood School in Kent and was selected for volunteering over the span of 25 years to improve water quality, wildlife habitats, outdoor recreation and other environmental causes.  At Marvelwood, Laurie and her high school-aged students have helped with the conservation and stewardship of the Skiff Mountain Preserve and Public Lands, a 700-acre forest in Kent and Sharon that surrounds the school property.

Laurie conducted much of the original fieldwork and mapping which led to the forest’s conservation and the required funding. Within this outdoor laboratory, Laurie has engaged her students in the necessary fieldwork, documentation and even construction of an award-winning trail.

Laurie also conducts scientific research on other properties throughout the community.

She also manages an international exchange program she founded. Twice a year, it brings Marvelwood students together with underserved children in eastern Panama to research and learn about bird migrations, macro-invertebrate biology, and cross-cultural conservation techniques.