Nature-Based Tourism
Dr. Sandra De Urioste-Stone, Program Leader
Program Overview and Current Research
The mission of the Maine-based Tourism Program is to conduct collaborative research, education, and outreach that promote sustainable tourism in Maine. Efforts to support this mission include increasing the efficiency and opportunities for Maine’s tourism industry by regularly gathering, analyzing, and communicating information about the economic impact and trends of tourism in Maine; promoting the development and enhancement of tourism destinations by understanding the social, cultural, and economic factors that facilitate and limit local tourism in Maine communities and their potential vulnerabilities due to radical weather cycles and economic trends; and promoting environmental stewardship of tourism in Maine by understanding and managing for the environmental effects of new and existing tourism opportunities.
The NRT: Enhancing Conservation Science program led by Dr. de Urioste-Stone has begun enrolling outstanding applicants for the National Science Foundation-funded graduate research traineeship program that will prepare the next generation of conservation leaders. These scholars will integrate biophysical and social sciences in collaborative, engaged, and solutions-driven research, professional development, and coursework.
Drivers of Climate Change Risk Perceptions among Diverse Forest Stakeholders in Maine, USA
Climate change is impacting forest ecosystems, which support key ecosystem services and the general well-being of natural resource-dependent communities in Northeastern, USA. Understanding the determinants of climate change risk perceptions among forest resource stakeholders is critical to eliciting broad support for adaptation.
(2021) Drivers of Climate Change Risk Perceptions among Diverse Forest Stakeholders in Maine, USA, Society & Natural Resources, DOI: 10.1080/08941920.2021.1991066l
Do more ticks equal fewer tourists in Maine? Team studies impact of bloodsucking arthropods
$2.9 million NSF award will train the next generation of environmental conservation leaders
Researchers awarded $1.5M to examine spread of mosquito-transmitted diseases
UMaine researchers awarded $152K NOAA grant to study impacts of climate change on coastal tourism
Climate change resilience research receives $150K NIFA grant
