Heather Leslie will present “Climate science and action for Maine’s coast and coastal communities” at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 7, as a virtual seminar, or webinar, hosted by the University of Maine Darling Marine Center in Walpole.

Leslie is director of the Darling Marine Center and associate professor in the UMaine School of Marine Sciences. Since September 2019, she has co-led the Coastal and Marine Working Group of the Maine Climate Council.

The Council, composed of scientists, industry leaders, bipartisan local and state officials, and engaged citizens, was created by the Governor and Legislature of the state in June 2019. Its charge is to deliver a plan to the Legislature later this year that enables Maine to reduce carbon emissions and to enhance resilience of Maine communities to climate-related impacts.

“I’m excited to share strategies that the Coastal and Marine Working Group has identified as potential elements of Maine’s Climate Action Plan,” Leslie says.

“Given the short timeline of this process and the challenges created by the pandemic, it’s more important than ever that the people who live and work on our coast have the opportunity to weigh in on these strategies, as the Council continues its work.”

In support of the Council’s work, Leslie and the other 37 members of the Coastal and Marine Working Group met 10 times over the last year to develop recommendations related to Maine’s coastal communities, companies and ecosystems.

In the DMC seminar on Aug. 7, Leslie will highlight strategies related to Maine’s fisheries and working waterfronts, as well as strategies that support aquaculture and other seafood related businesses as they adapt to climate related challenges.  Details of those strategies can be viewed at https://climatecouncil.maine.gov

Leslie’s virtual seminar is the final one in the DMC’s three-part summer science seminar series.  Earlier presentations on coastal and open ocean climate science conducted by DMC based faculty are available online. Visit https://dmc.umaine.edu/science-seminar-series for a full description of the seminar, to register and for information on the previous speakers.