Dr. Leahy is an Assistant Professor of Parks, Recreation, & Tourism at the University of Maine. She holds a B.S. in Forest Recreation Resources with an option in Environmental Interpretation, and an M.S. in Forest Resources with a minor in Environmental and Resource Economics from Oregon State University. Her Ph.D. is in Natural Resources Science and Management in the Economics, Policy, Management and Society track from the University of Minnesota.
Her research primarily focuses on environmental and forestry communication issues related to resource-dependent communities, small woodland owners, and the general public. Dr. Leahy teaches the following classes: environmental interpretation, introduction to outdoor recreation, and issues and ethics of parks, recreation & tourism.
She also serves as a deputy for the Nature Conservation and
Protected Areas (06.01.07) working group of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) and as a chair of the Social and Related Sciences (F) working group of the New England Society of American Foresters. She is also a member of the International Association for Society and Natural Resources and the National Association for Interpretation. Within the Forest Bioproducts Research Initiative, she is the Human Dimensions of Forest Bioproducts Thrust leader and also involved in the Social Acceptability of Forest Biomass Harvests and Bioproducts Industry in Maine project.
My Research
My FBRI research evaluates the public social acceptability of biomass harvests and bioproducts industry in Maine, and it evaluates forest landowners willingness to allow or participate in biomass harvests.
In Other Words
We are studying people’s opinions about the environment, as those opinions could translate into challenges and opportunities for the developing bioproducts industry in Maine.
Contact Information
219 Nutting Hall
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469
tel: (207) 581-2834
E-mail: Jessica_leahy@umit.maine.edu
