Alison Bowden
Director of Conservation Science and Strategy, Massachusetts
Holbrook, MA
Areas of Expertise
Nature-Based Solutions, Social-Ecological Systems, Climate Adaptation and Estuaries and Coasts
Resources
Biography
Alison Bowden is the Director of Conservation Science and Strategy for The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts. As a conservation leader and innovator, Alison has over 20 years of experience working across boundaries to develop and implement strategic initiatives to protect healthy rivers, estuaries and oceans and the benefits they provide to people.
Alison specializes in influencing policy through sound science, building partnerships and finding intersections among differing perspectives to build support for conservation action among decision-makers and the public. She has worked on the Mill River restoration project since 2005, focusing on migratory fish and river herring restoration along the Atlantic coast through research, stakeholder engagement and policy development. Under her leadership, the removal of three dams and the construction of a fishway were completed in 2018, resulting in a growing river herring population, improved water quality and reduced flood risk.
She is a member of the National Fish Habitat Partnership Board, NOAA Atlantic coast River Herring Technical Expert Working Group (Habitat Committee Chair), Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Shad and River Herring Advisory Panel and Taunton River Wild and Scenic Stewardship Council.
Alison received her B.A. in Environmental Science from American University and her M.S. in Water Resources from University of New Hampshire.
Outside of work Alison enjoys hiking with her two hounds, kayaking and creating productive wildlife habitat in her suburban yard.
Alison has held various roles at The Nature Conservancy, including Aquatic Ecologist (2001), Freshwater Program Director (2007–2016), Conservation Director (2016–2021) and Interim Co-State Director, MA (2023-24).
Growing up near the Ten Mile River in East Providence, Rhode Island, one of the most polluted rivers in America in the 1980s, Alison developed a keen awareness of the links between environmental and human health. She holds degrees in environmental science and water resource management, and is driven by a commitment to improving conditions for both people and nature.
In the Media
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MA man buys $395,000 house despite warnings it will ‘fall into ocean'
Bowden notes nature-based solutions that can slow down coastal erosion and its impacts. Read more
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'Ultimate sign of respect.'
Bowden weighs in on the U.S. Secretary of Interior's meeting with Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Read the article
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How TNC is Working to Stop Nitrogen Pollution
Bowden works with TNC and partners to install innovative septic systems that could help filter nitrogen and reduce water pollution on Cape Cod. Watch the video
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Addressing Coastal Water Quality Improves Conservation & Human Health
Bowden shares why coastal water quality is an important but commonly overlooked threat in marine conservation. Read more
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Here’s What The New U.N. Report On Oceans And Ice Means For New England
Reflections on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s report and its implications for New England. Learn more
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Dighton seal sighting seen a sign of Taunton River revival
Bowden shares that seals in the river are not uncommon nowadays due to watershed restoration efforts. Read more
Coastal Conservation
On the River to Recovery
At one point, the Mill River was declared "dead." In 2018, alewife ran the river again for the first time in two centuries and have increased in numbers since.
Experimental Solutions to Reduce Nitrogen Pollution on Cape Cod
Too much nitrogen in our waterways threatens our drinking water, economy, recreation opportunities and human health. New pilot programs are working with nature to change that.
Diving Deep on Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration
To safeguard the health of coastal environments, TNC is both restoring natural shellfish reefs and working directly with shellfish farmers.