Resilient coastal communities is topic of June 23 seminar

On Friday, June 23, Director of the University of Maine’s Darling Marine Center Dr. Heather Leslie will give a talk titled Resilient Coastal Communities and Marine Ecosystems: Translating science into action.

Her talk will kick off the DMC’s science seminar series, where eight renowned marine scientists will engage the public in topics ranging from the studies of the Gulf of Maine to the exploration of the deep sea

The seminars will be held every Friday, beginning June 23, in Brooke Hall at 10:30 a.m

In addition to her role as DMC Director, Leslie is a Libra Associate Professor at UMaine’s School of Marine Sciences. Her research focus is on the ecology, policy, and management of coastal marine ecosystems.

“Coastal ecosystems are sources of healthy food and clean water,” Leslie said. “Understanding how these systems work and how to be their effective stewards is vital to ensure both thriving ecosystems and local economies.”

In the Gulf of Maine, one of the fastest warming regions of the world’s oceans, environmental change presents a particular challenge. Economic conditions, habitat loss, and over exploitation have the potential to either enhance or erode the resilience of coastal communities.

At the first summer science seminar, Leslie will draw on her work in Maine and Mexico, and discuss how social and ecological resilience is changing the understanding and stewardship of coastal marine ecosystems.

Leslie received an A.B. in Biology from Harvard University, a Ph.D. in Zoology from Oregon State University, and conducted postdoctoral research at Princeton University. Originally from Plymouth, Massachusetts, Heather lives by the Damariscotta River in Newcastle, Maine, with her two children and husband, fellow UMaine faculty member and microbial ecologist Jeremy Rich.

The seminars are free but registration is requested at tinyurl.com/y87uxsmw. The full list of speakers is posted at dmc.umaine.edu. For a disability accommodation, please call 207.563.3146.

Contact: Aliya Uteuova, aliya.uteuova@maine.edu.