Jaleigh Goben

I am a paleontologist by training, but I apply my expertise towards modern conservation issues; a growing field called conservation paleobiology. For the last five years, I have been using the preserved buried shells within living oyster reefs to reconstruct the recent history of oysters in the Guana River, Florida, to restore environmental memory and inform management decisions. After spending several summers out on the reefs and learning about the local history and current water quality concerns, the Guana River Estuary has become meaningful to me, and I care about its future. I also have a passion for conservation storytelling and how we could tell a meaningful story about the Guana River Estuary that might resonate with the broader community.

In my free time, I love reading a good book in the sun, going for a run, cooking with my husband, and playing with my two cats, Petrie & Goose.

Visit my personal website to learn more about me and my projects: jaleighgoben.com

July 2025