Behavioral Science for Community Sustainability

My capstone project, conducted in partnership with Sustain Dane and the Village of Oregon, WI, applied behavioral science frameworks to community conservation and sustainability. The objective was to design and analyze a community survey that explored local attitudes, barriers, and motivators for sustainable practices, using seven behavioral models including the Theory of Planned Behavior, Self‑Determination Theory, and Nudge Theory. By translating complex theories into accessible tools, the project produced a community engagement toolkit with survey findings, visualizations, and draft workshop materials. This toolkit provides evidence‑based strategies for organizations to design tailored interventions, bridging academic research with practical application. Ultimately, the project aimed to empower communities by making conservation data actionable and inspiring, while laying the groundwork for future workshops and broader systems of change.