Grand, LindaMesser, Kent D.Allen, William, III2016-05-042016-05-042016-03Grand, Linda., Messer K.D., W. Allen. 2016. “Understanding and Overcoming the Barriers for Cost Effective Conservation”. Applied Economics & Statistics Research Report, University of Delaware, RR16-06.http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/17694Despite extensive research demonstrating the benefits of applying cost effective conservation techniques, such as optimization, a large gap remains between the evidence from research and the actions of professions as they design and implement conservation programs. This study examines this gap between the research evidence and the conservation community’s practice through an international survey of conservation professionals who are familiar with cost-effective conservation techniques. The results show that the vast majority of survey respondents viewed cost-effectiveness as a virtue but ultimately do not consider it as important as other program design criteria. These results suggest the advocates of cost-effective conservation need to address concerns about fairness and transparency and remedying gaps in the knowledge and expertise of professionals involved. Finally, the lack of incentive to conservation professionals to change their practices is a challenge that calls for public pressure and encouragement for experimentation and evidence-based policy to improve the cost effectiveness of conservation efforts.Cost-Effective ConservationConservation ProfessionalsConservation PlanningOptimizationResearch Report