Sarah Roney has always felt most at home where the land meets the water.
Born and raised in Statesboro, Georgia, Sarah grew up immersed in the beauty and complexity of the Georgia coast. Whether she was exploring salt marshes, wading through tidal creeks, or simply watching the tides roll in, she was captivated early on by how nature works—and how people fit into it. That sense of wonder would guide her entire academic and professional journey.
Sarah earned her PhD in Ocean Science and Engineering from Georgia Tech, where her research focused on how oyster reefs impact wave energy caused by commercial ship traffic. Her findings revealed that natural solutions like oyster reefs could reduce wave energy by up to 40%—a powerful example of how nature-based strategies can protect coastal communities while restoring ecological balance. Throughout her research, Sarah remained focused on the real-world impact of her work, driven by the belief that science should serve both people and the planet.
Today, Sarah serves as the Marine Conservation & Education Fellow at Georgia Conservancy, where she is placed as part of the prestigious Georgia Sea Grant Fellowship. Her role centers on strengthening our work to protect and restore Georgia’s salt marshes and coastal ecosystems, with a special focus on the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative. In addition, she will help lead our work saving the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale, along with developing strategies to protect the Blake Plateau, a unique and culturally important deep-sea coral habitat off the coast of Georgia. She collaborates closely with our partners across the Southeast to help develop community-driven, science-informed strategies that will safeguard Georgia’s coast for future generations.
What sets Sarah apart is not just her technical expertise—but her ability to connect with people. She thrives on building partnerships, bridging the gap between science and action, and helping others see the value in coastal conservation. Whether she’s attending a stakeholder meeting, analyzing data, or supporting on-the-ground restoration projects, Sarah brings energy, humility, and purpose to everything she does.
Outside of work, Sarah is an avid reader (especially science fiction), a disc golf enthusiast, and someone who never passes up the chance to explore a new trail or spend a day boating. Her love for the outdoors is both personal and professional—and it’s a big part of why she feels so at home at the Georgia Conservancy.
We are proud to have Sarah on our team. Her knowledge, perspective, and dedication are helping advance our mission to protect Georgia’s land and water—for all and forever.