About

Purcie Bennett-Nickerson - Founder and Executive Director

Purcie Bennett-Nickerson is an environmental lawyer and policy expert with additional expertise in environmental ecology. She has worked in environmental conservation and science for 18 years, with the past 11 years dedicated to sustainable fisheries and the protection of ocean ecosystems, marine biodiversity, and endangered and threatened marine species.

Before founding Bennett Nickerson Environmental Consulting (BNEC), Purcie served as an environmental policy and science expert at The Pew Charitable Trusts in Washington, DC. There, she focused on ecosystem-based fisheries management, the protection of forage species and coastal habitats, and reducing bycatch of endangered marine life, including the North Atlantic right whale.

Earlier in her career, Purcie co-founded Cottonwood Environmental Law Center (CELC) in Bozeman, Montana, where she served as Executive Director and Staff Attorney. At CELC, she worked to safeguard wildlife and ecosystems across the forests and rivers of Montana, Idaho, and South Dakota.

Purcie holds a bachelor’s degree from Goucher College, a law degree from Washington and Lee University, and a master’s in Environmental and Resource Policy from The George Washington University.

When she’s not working to protect the planet, Purcie spends as much time outdoors as possible. She hikes, skis, kayaks, plays tennis, golfs, climbs, paddleboards, bikes, and surfs. She lives in Glen Echo, Maryland, with her husband Patrick, their two wild young boys, Van (12) and Ben (10), and their dog, Timber.