Kelley Savage

Marine scientist and PhD candidate at the Harte Research Institute specializing in the conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems, particularly oyster reefs and carbon sequestration. With 9+ years of experience in monitoring marine environments and ecosystem restoration, my research focuses on understanding the role of oyster reefs in carbon sequestration and its impact on habitat restoration and conservation. Led and collaborated on projects with esteemed partners like NASA, the Smithsonian, and other marine research institutions to integrate ecosystem services and blue carbon dynamics into conservation and restoration efforts. Committed to developing science-based strategies that conserve and restore coastal habitats while leveraging natural systems for carbon capture. Actively engaged in public education and outreach, including participation in over 15 annual events such as our lab's 'Sink Your Shucks' oyster shell recycling program. Strong believer in the power of science to drive meaningful change and inform policy. If you're interested in carbon sequestration, coastal conservation and restoration, or collaborative approaches to ecosystem resilience, let's connect!

• Conservation and Restoration
• Carbon Sequestration
• Coastal Habitat Ecosystem Services
• Ecosystem-based Management
• Sustainability of Coastal Ecosystems

Koontz EL, Parker SM, Stearns AE, Roberts BJ, Young CM, Windham-Myers L, Oikawa PY, Megonigal JP, Noyce GL, Buskey EJ, Derby RK, Dunn RP, Ferner MC, Krask JL, Marconi CM, Savage KB, Shahan J, Spivak AC, St Laurent K, Argueta JM, Baird SJ, Beheshti KM, Crane LC, Cressman KA, Crooks JA, Fernald SH, Garwood JA, Goldstein JS, Grothues TM, Habeck A, Lerberg SB, Lucas SB, Marcum P, Peter CR, Phipps SW, Raposa KB, Rovai AS, Schooler SS, Twilley RR, Tyrrell MC, Uyeda KA, Wulfing SH, Aman JT, Giacchetti A, Cross-Johnson SN, Holmquist JR. Controls on spatial variation in porewater methane concentrations across United States tidal wetlands. Sci Total Environ. 2024 Nov 2:177290. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177290. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39491559.

Savage KB, Palmer TA, Montagna PA, Beseres Pollack J (in press). Effects of climate-driven salinity regimes on oyster disease dynamics and local and regional scales. In: Montagna PA (ed.), Freshwater Inflows to Texas Bays and Estuaries - A Regional-Scale Review, Synthesis, and Recommendations.

2024. Potential role of oyster reefs in carbon sequestration: implications for reef conservation and restoration. NOAA Margaret A. Davidson Fellowship. $120,000 (2 years)

2024. Shimano-CCA National Marine Science Scholarship. $5,000 (1 year)

2024. Coastal Conservation Association Texas. $5,000 (1 year)

2023. Oyster reef carbon sequestration: radiocarbon dating oyster shells. Houston Conchology Society C. Boone/Dr. McHenry Grant. $1,500 (1 year)

2023. Shimano-CCA National Marine Science Scholarship. $5,000 (1 year)

2023. Coastal Conservation Association Texas. $5,000 (1 year)

2022. Refining field methods for oyster reef carbon sequestration. $10,000 (1 year)

2022. Shimano-CCA National Marine Science Scholarship. $5,000 (1 year)

Invited to present

Savage KB. March 2024. Professional speaker on a panel for girls and women in STEM, Victoria College, Victoria, TX.

Savage KB and Beseres Pollack J. May 2023. Carbon Capture in Oyster Reefs, FlatsWorthy, Bay Education Center, Rockport, TX.

Savage KB and Beseres Pollack J. March 2023. Blue Carbon and Oyster Reef Carbon Sequestration, Coastal Bend Oyster Summit, University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, TX.

Contributed to/presented

Savage KB, Bahr KD, and Beseres Pollack J. April 2024. Determining oyster growth thresholds in response to environmental drivers, Benthic Ecology Meeting, Port Aransas, TX.

Savage KB, Bahr KD, and Beseres Pollack J. April 2024. Determining oyster growth thresholds in response to environmental drivers, Texas Bays and Estuaries Meeting, Port Aransas, TX.

Tovar K, Savage KB, Beseres Pollack J. April 2024. Spatial Distribution of Organic Matter Content of Restored Oyster Reefs, SSIRCA Research Symposium, Corpus Christi, TX. 

Savage KB, Hu X, Bahr KD, and Beseres Pollack J. Nov 2023. The spatial distribution of carbon on a subtidal oyster reef, Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation Conference, Portland, OR.

Savage KB and Beseres Pollack J. Jan 2023. Oyster Reef Restoration and Carbon Sequestration, Bay Education Center, Rockport, TX.

Savage KB, Palmer TA, and Beseres Pollack J. Nov 2017. Local and Regional Scale Salinity Recommendations for the Conservation of Oyster Reefs, National Estuarine Research Reserve Meeting, Corpus Christi, Texas. 

Savage KB and Beseres Pollack J. April 2017. Oyster Pathogens as Bioindicators of Freshwater Inflow Needs for Texas Oysters, Benthic Ecology Meeting, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Savage KB and Beseres Pollack J. Jan 2017. Effect of Freshwater Inflow on Dermo Disease Characteristics in Texas Oyster Reefs, Marine Biology Retreat, Texas A&M University – Galveston.

Savage KB and Beseres Pollack J. Dec 2016. Status of Dermo Disease in Oysters as a Tool for Managing Freshwater Inflow to Texas Estuaries, Marine Science Graduate Student Research Forum, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, 12/01/16

Savage KB and Beseres Pollack J. April 2016. Oysters as Bioindicators of Texas Estuaries, Texas Bays and Estuaries Meeting, Port Aransas, TX.

Savage KB and Beseres Pollack J. March 2016. Managing Texas Oyster Reefs on a Local and Regional Scale, Benthic Ecology Meeting, Portland, Maine.

Savage KB and Beseres Pollack J. Dec 2015. A Freshwater Inflow Model for the Conservation of Texas Oyster Reefs, Marine Science Graduate Student Research Forum, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi.

Savage KB. May 2014. Establishing a Link Between Climate and Growth in Long-lived Pacific Ocean Perch, UTMSI Research Symposium, University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas. 

• Coastal Estuarine Research Federation
• Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries
• Society for Conservation GIS

• Oct 2022 & Apr 2023 – Sink Your Shucks Outreach: Surftoberfest and Oyster Roundup, Corpus Christi, TX. Taught the public about the “Sink Your Shucks” oyster shell recycling program, bagged oyster shells for return to local waters.
• Jul 2022 – Oso Bay Wetland Workshop: Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve and Learning Center. Educated the public on oyster reefs, ecosystem services, and oyster reef restoration.
• May 2022 & May 2023 – Sink Your Shucks with CCA: Goose Island State Park. Organized an oyster shell bagging event with Coastal Conservation Association, Yamaha Rightwaters, Mossy Oak, AFTCO, and Harte Research Institute. Placed approximately 3,500 pounds of recycled oyster shell in 2022 and 285 bags in 2023 back into St. Charles Bay to restore degraded oyster habitat.
• Feb 2021 – Abandoned Crab Trap Removal: Mission Aransas NERR. Assisted in locating and removing abandoned crab traps from Texas bays.
• Oct 2019 – Present – Nurdle Patrol: Mission Aransas NERR. Conducted beach and wetland surveys to collect plastic pellets (nurdles), removing and mapping them to increase public awareness of plastic pollution.
• Feb 2018, Feb 2019, Feb 2023 – Big Shell Beach Cleanup: Padre Island National Seashore. Participated in annual beach cleanups at Padre Island National Seashore.
• Apr 2016 – Apr 2017 – Sink Your Shucks Restoration Events: Goose Island State Park. Helped lead oyster recycling events as part of the “Sink Your Shucks” initiative, using reclaimed oyster shells from local sources to restore oyster reefs in the Mission-Aransas Estuary.
• Feb 2015 & Feb 2017 – Austin Oyster Festival: Austin, TX. Collected oyster shells from the festival and educated attendees on the benefits of recycling oysters to promote estuary health.
• Mar 2016 & Mar 2017 – Mireles Elementary School Science Spectacular: Corpus Christi, TX. Educated students on oyster recycling and restoration efforts.
• Jun 2016 – UTMSI Summer Science Event: University of Texas Marine Science Institute. Presented on oyster recycling and restoration to students at the UT Marine Science Camp.
• Jan 2013 – May 2014 & Aug 2017 – Present – Animal Rehabilitation Keep: Mission Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve. Assisted in marine animal rehabilitation by feeding and cleaning habitats for turtles and birds, collected cold-stunned sea turtles after freezing events, and participated in sea turtle nest patrol.