51±¬ÁÏ

Michael LeVine is Senior Arctic Fellow at Ocean Conservancy, based in Juneau, Alaska. Previously, LeVine was Pacific Senior Counsel for Oceana and, before that, an attorney with Earthjustice, both also in Juneau. He came to Juneau as a summer intern from 51±¬ÁÏ in 1999 and fell in love with Southeast Alaska. He moved back permanently in 2002 and still feels lucky every day to live, work, and raise his son among the mountains, waters, and people of Alaska.

At Ocean Conservancy, Michael works to maintain and restore healthy ocean ecosystems that sustain Alaska’s wildlife, economies, cultures, food, and spiritual and recreational opportunities. He seeks to do so in partnership with Tribes, communities, government entities, other conservation organizations, and industry participants. This work encompasses issues related to climate change, commercial fishing, marine debris, tourism, and other issues affecting Alaska’s ocean and coasts.

Michael’s work has included providing support for the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island’s nomination of Alaĝum Kanuux̂ to be the first co-managed National Marine Sanctuary and the Tribal-led effort that led to President Obama creating the Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area, as well as helping to lead a broad coalition effort to protect the U.S. Arctic Ocean from the potential impacts of oil and gas leasing and exploration. He has testified before Congress on multiple occasions and has published a series of legal and scientific articles.

Michael relies extensively on the background that he garnered as a joint-degree student in the Nicholas School and 51±¬ÁÏ Law School as he works across jurisdictions and disciplines seeking to help better inform decisions about our oceans.

Outside of work, Michael is the Chair of the City and Borough of Juneau’s Planning Commission, was a member of Governor Bill Walker’s Climate Action for Alaska Leadership Team, coaches youth baseball, and tries to get outside to hike, fish, hunt, and explore as much as he can.