This publication summarizes a review conducted for the Washington State Conservation Commission’s Science Hub to better understand the economics of riparian buffers and how incentive programs can encourage private landowners to adopt best management practices. Earth Economics analyzed leading riparian incentive programs to identify their successes, challenges, costs, and benefits, and provided recommendations relevant to Washington State. The report also outlines future work, including valuing ecosystem services in pilot watersheds, evaluating how conservation practices affect those values, mapping how benefits flow to communities (including underserved populations), and refining guidance on appropriate incentive levels to increase conservation adoption on private lands.
