subsidies for training) but focussing engagement with those at the top left of the box in Figure 5. Incentives for those in the top left could include heavily( or completely subsidised) training targeted to individual land managers, flexible grants paid over time for improvements beyond the duty of care and social recognition of land management improvements. One objective for landholders in the top left of Figure 5 is to move them across to the top right where they establish a history of engagement and large sediment reduction benefits. If engagement is a key objective of the incentive approach, celebrating new engagers and even small gains in sediment reduction will be critical.
There is also a cohort of landholders who have a long history of engagement in land management change activities. Once again, the relative sediment reduction benefit from these landholders will vary. Incentives should be focussed on those in the top right of Figure 5 where the biggest change can be made from the investment. Incentives for this top right could include training and supporting the trial of new technologies and innovation, competitive stewardship with payments made over time, social recognition and opportunity for these landholders to mentor others. Those at the bottom right may be best supported through science to assess if there is the potential for additional gains in sediment reduction from these properties.
High
Relative sediment reduction from
Broad extension. Low to no subsidies
Subsidised and targeted extension. Social recognition of change. Flexible grants paid over time.
Objective to move these landholders in this direction
Training and trialing of innovation. Competitive stewardship. Social recognition, mentoring
Extension. Science support to assess potential for additional on-ground outcomes
Low History of engagement
High
Figure 5 Incentives need to be matched to landholders and sediment reduction benefit
3.2.5 Crowding in and crowding out good land management
The values and behaviours of the landholders also need to be taken into consideration when deciding on incentive mixes. An incentive mix needs to be considered in light of landholder motivations and should be designed such that it supports and motivates( crowds in) good land management rather than crowding it out(‘ crowding out’ occurs when government spending [ such as incentives ] decreases private investment in the same activity [ good grazing practices ] because it takes away the‘ warm glow’ or feeling of moral responsibility associated with conducting the activity and replaces these with economic instruments). At the same time, care needs to be taken
36 | Landholders driving change: Exploring new incentives