Alison Bidwell Pearce is the new executive director at Nature Forward in Chevy Chase. She takes over in January 2025, following the retirement of Lisa Alexander, who has served in that role since 2013.
Pearce has about 20 years of experience in the field and currently is deputy director for programs at Nature Forward. She is a trained naturalist.
The environmental nonprofit received 65 applications for the position and conducted multiple rounds of interviews.
“We were impressed and excited by her strategic thinking, combined with her passion for environmental education and conservation. We have no doubt that Alison will help us create a larger and more diverse community of people who treasure the natural world and work to preserve it,” said Nature Forward Board President Nancy Voit in a news release
Pearce has a PhD in Ecological Anthropology from Stanford University, where her research focused on ranch land conservation in Montana and indigenous forest management in Panama. Her early career included service as an agroforestry volunteer with the Peace Corps in El Salvador.
“I am honored and excited to lead Nature Forward as we work to expand our reach and deepen our impact in the D.C. region,” said Pearce. “Our 127-year-old organization has a rich history of conservation achievements and an impressive breadth of environmental programs. I look forward to building on this foundation and working with our dedicated staff, Board, community partners, and supporters to address the pressing environmental challenges of our time.”
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT! Nature Forward, the Washington, DC region's longest serving environmental non-profit, is pleased to announce the appointment of Alison Bidwell Pearce, PhD as its new Executive Director. Read the full announcement here: https://t.co/bneDO2oM9E pic.twitter.com/inODD36tWu
— GoNatureForward (@GoNatureForward) October 25, 2024
