Leslie Ruyle

Background

About Leslie Ruyle

Dr. Leslie Ruyle is an ecologist working across disciplines to create innovative solutions for conservation, conflict, and development. She holds a PhD in Ecology from the University of Georgia, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana, West Africa, and has managed university-based initiatives for NSF and USAID. Having lived in four countries and traveled to more than 90 countries in her career, she has broad experience in international applied conservation and research including stints at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute- Panama, Honduran Coral Reef Foundation, Applied Biodiversity Science Program, Earthwatch, and the Center on Conflict and Development. Her work has been recognized with the UN’s Equator Prize Initiative and Dean’s Award for Interdisciplinary teams. Currently, she is working in the DRC, Botswana, and Costa Rica on creative problem solving for natural resource management issues. In DRC, she works with Nuru, a solar company, on lighting and cooking opportunities for communities as well as supporting a program focused on entrepreneurship in regions of conflict, conservation concern, and limited connectivity (EC3). She also has a bushmeat study in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. In Botswana she works with local partners and students to co-create human- wildlife coexistence solutions. And in Costa Rica, she partners with an NGO to support students connecting science to policy on shark, ray, and sea turtle conservation which will protect local fisheries for local livelihoods.