In the Leslie Lab at the University of Maine, we focus on the connections among people and coastal marine ecosystems. As marine conservation scientists, we use a combination of field experiments, modeling, and other approaches grounded in the ecological and social sciences and humanities. We investigate how diverse environmental and socioeconomic factors influence ecosystem and social interactions and outcomes. Our ultimate aim is to create scientific knowledge and tools that supports marine conservation and management that benefits both nature and people.
We hope that fellow researchers as well as our partners in education, policy making and community-based management will find something of interest on this site. If you are interested in learning more or exploring a way to work together, please contact us!
Civil Eats recently featured Leslie Lab member Sarah Risley’s doctoral research on wild and farmed oysters. Read all about it here!
Leslie Lab member Joelle Kilchenmann shares the journey that brought her to UMaine and her interdisciplinary PhD research related to Maine’s lobster fishery.
Thanks to support from UMaine’s Mitchell Center, we are using arts-based methods like storytelling and creative writing to share knowledge and learn together in support of coastal community resilience. We…
In mid July, several lab members had the good fortune to participate in a guided trip on the Medomak River estuary. Heather helped organize this event. An excerpt of the…
To learn about the Leslie Lab’s contributions to collaborative research, education and community engagement in the midcoast, please see the webpage for the Damariscotta River Estuary Community Science Program: https://tinyurl.com/DREcomsci
We are delighted to share How to Engage in Offshore Wind Development: A Guide to Values, Questions, Perspectives, and Pathways Forward in Coastal Maine, with you. Download the Guide as…