Owner & Operator, Bama Bay Oyster Farm | Mon Louis Island, AL

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Jackie is a marine scientist, restoration-focused oyster farmer, and community ambassador based on the western shores of Mobile Bay. As owner and operator of Bama Bay Oyster Farm, she cultivates premium oysters while advancing a broader mission: transforming her working waterfront into a living laboratory for research, restoration, and resiliency. A non-traditional, first-generation student, Jackie received her B.S. in Biology, with a concentration in Marine Science, from the University of South Alabama, and has worked with leading P.I.s in many different areas of research including physical oceanography, ecotoxicology, finfish and shellfish fisheries and aquaculture.

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With a background in coastal ecology and a passion for place-based education, Jackie blends scientific rigor with creative outreach. She leads hands-on programs for students of all ages, hosts visiting researchers, and designs visual tools that celebrate the region’s environmental and cultural richness. Her work honors and builds upon her family’s culture and heritage of coastal knowledge and lived experiences along the shores of her lifelong home of Mon Louis Island.

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Jackie’s work is rooted in a deep commitment to restoring the health of Mobile Bay. Her vision is one of inclusion, encouragement, and collaboration, for all. Where resilience, science, stewardship, and local knowledge come together to heal and sustain the bay for generations to come.

WOW Co-Director

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Blair currently serves as a science and monitoring program lead, coordinating with scientists and stakeholders on the long-term monitoring of ecosystems throughout watersheds of Mobile Bay. Although her research has taken place over a variety of localities and a wide array of study organisms, Blair’s work features the central themes of estuaries, disturbance, water quality, aquaculture, and climate change. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Marine Science and Biology from the University of Alabama and a Master's degree in Marine Sciences from the University of South Alabama. 

 

Born as a passion project from her 2021 science policy fellowship, she is thrilled to see Women of the Water continue into its 5th year!​

Oyster Restorationist

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Dr. Kayla Boyd received her graduate degree from Auburn University in the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences with a focus in oyster aquaculture. She works for Mobile Baykeeper as their oyster project manager, where she designs and implements oyster restoration projects across coastal Alabama in partnership with the oyster industry, NGOs, academia, and state agencies utilizing commercial oyster aquaculture techniques. Her mission is to create or renourish near-shore oyster reefs by building long-term programs with wild oyster harvesters, commercial oyster farmers, and the homeowners of Mobile Bay, AL.

Marine Scientist

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Elizabeth has more than a decade of experience working in the marine science field along the Gulf coast.  She previously worked as a Research Technician at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, supporting projects across a wide variety of research topics with species such as oysters, dolphins, and manatees.   Elizabeth also has extensive experience in marine science education and outreach, including managing DISL’s Manatee Sighting Network citizen science program.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Spring Hill College and a Master’s degree in Biology from the University of South Alabama.