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. 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!

Reflecting on the Maine Climate Council process 

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The Maine Climate Council Scientific and Technical Subcommittee recently released their 2024 report, which guides the work of the Council in finalizing the Maine Climate Action Plan later this year…

Connecting local and scientific knowledge

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Earlier this spring, I traveled to La Paz, on the gulf coast of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur (BCS). It had been four years since I had last…

Progress towards ecosystem-based management

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Read on to learn about the progress of marine ecosystem-based management, in light of a recent publication in Ocean Sustainability that Heather contributed to.  The team shared their findings in an…

Scallop news

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Check out this recent Portland Press Herald article about the collaborative work that Leslie Lab grad student Phoebe Jekielek is engaged in.
Soft shell clam taken by K Pellowe

Community Science Update

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This spring, as part of an ongoing community science project in collaboration with the Damariscotta-Newcastle Joint Shellfish Committee, we are hosting a series of focus group discussions to discuss values…

Our shared ocean

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A special issue of Maine Policy Review – Our Shared Ocean – features work by multiple Leslie Lab members: Graduate student Sarah Risley (above) led publication of findings from the…