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THE CENTER FOR
Behavioral & Experimental Agri-Environmental Research
At the Center for Behavioral and Experimental Agri-environmental Research (CBEAR), we are conducting groundbreaking studies that tests behavioral insights to improve agri-environmental programs. Unique in what we do, CBEAR remains the leading producer of behavioral research that applies to agricultural and environmental topics that benefit farmers and the environment. By using insights from our experiments, we work with policymakers and private institutions to make conservation programs more accessible and sustainable for all communities.
Why Behavioral Economics?
Behavioral economics is a field of inquiry that uses principles of economics and psychology to understand how individuals make decisions. Using insights from this perspective helps people make choices that are consistent with their own long-term interests.
At CBEAR, we use behavioral economics to help conservation practitioners, scientists and producers. We identify the best ways to ensure program adoption and aim to better understand what leads to persistent conservation practices.
OUR RESEARCH FOCUSES ON THE DATA
By the Numbers
We follow the data that leads to where our research needs to focus. Taken only once every five years, the 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture is a survey-based count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. The survey provides the most recent data regarding land use practices by the number of farms and the number of acres.
50%
increase in the acreage of cover crops from 2012 to 2017
3%
increase in the number of U.S. cropland acres using conservation practices from 2012 to 2017
41%
of U.S. farmland is involved in conservation practices
Read Our News and Publications
In the News
CBEAR Mark Masters Selected NACD Secretary-Treasurer Elect
CBEAR is proud to announce that our Director of Outreach, Mark Masters, is the new National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Secretary-Treasurer elect.
Field to Market: Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture™ Named 2022 CBEAR Innovation Prize Winner
The Center for Behavioral & Experimental Agri-Environmental Research congratulates Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture™ as the winner of the 2022 Innovation Prize.
Economist David Pannell Joins
Our Distinguished Fellows List
CBEAR welcomes esteemed environmental economist David Pannell as one of our newest fellows.
Recent Publications
Making More Effective Use of Behavioural Science in Conservation Interventions.
2021 Biological Conservation
Balmford, A, Bradbury, R., Bauer, JM, Broad, S., Burgess, G., Burgman, M., Byerly, H., Clayton, S., Espelosin, D., Ferraro, PJ, Fisher, B., Garnett, EE, Jones, JPG, Marteau, T., Otieno, M., Polasky, S., Ricketts, TH, Sandbrook, C., Trevelyan, R., van der Linden, S., Veríssimo, D., Nielsen, KS.
Using a Randomized Controlled Trial to Develop Strategies on Rented Farmlands
2021 Conservation Letters
Weigel, C%, S. Harden, Y Masuda, P Ranjan, C Wardropper, PJ Ferraro, L Prokopy, S Reddy.
Biodiversity Conservation as a Promising Frontier for Behavioural Science
2021 Nature Human Behaviour
Nielsen, K. S., Marteau, T., Bauer, JM, Bradbury, RB, Broad, S., Burgess, G., Burgman, M., Byerly, H., Clayton, S., Espelosin, D., Ferraro, PJ, Fisher, B., Garnett, EE, Jones, JPG, Otieno, M., Polasky, S., Ricketts, TH, Trevelyan, R., van der Linden, S., Veríssimo, D., Balmford, A.