Factors Influencing a Forest Landowner's Choice of Incentive Program Commitment Length
Summary
Analyzes what drives forest landowner decisions on conservation incentive program enrollment duration, informing program design for more effective forest conservation.
Abstract
Conservation incentive programs for forest landowners vary in the length of commitment required from participants. This study analyzes the factors that influence a forest landowner’s choice of incentive program commitment length, examining how landowner characteristics, property attributes, and program features affect enrollment decisions.
Why It Matters
Effective incentive program design requires understanding:
- What motivates landowners to commit to longer conservation terms
- How program structure affects participation rates
- The tradeoffs between commitment duration and enrollment
- Optimal program design for maximizing conservation outcomes
Key Findings
- Landowner demographics and property characteristics significantly influence preferred commitment length
- Program financial incentives interact with commitment duration preferences
- Results suggest opportunities to tailor program design to increase participation
- Understanding commitment preferences can improve cost-effectiveness of conservation spending
Citation
Kilgore, M. A., Frey, G. E., Snyder, S. A., & Mihiar, C. (2025). Factors influencing a forest landowner’s choice of incentive program commitment length. Forest Policy and Economics, 177, 103513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2024.103513