Turning Data into Power for People, Land, and the Future.
Rural Beacon Research Institute
About Us
The Rural Beacon Research Institute (RBRI) serves as the applied research and policy innovation arm of the Rural Beacon Initiative. Rural Beacon Research Institute will serve as a hub for data-driven strategy, regenerative systems design, and evidence-based community development, bringing together expertise from regenerative finance, environmental science, and community data systems.
Meet the Directors
Dr. Crystal Dixon
“I am so excited to be a part of the founding of the Rural Beacon Research Institute. This represents a commitment to rigor, validity, and innovation in research that confronts environmental challenges through structural and systems-level approaches, and the work of the Institute will advance bold, evidence-based solutions that prioritize public health and integrate sustainability into climate mitigation strategies.”
Dr. Richard Watkins
“We are excited to be part of the founding of the Rural Beacon Research Institute. This represents a commitment to building rigorous, applied research capacity that can inform policy, guide community development, and strengthen locally driven solutions, and the work of the Institute will help direct resources to where they can create the greatest long-term impact. “
Nakisa Glover
“I’m looking forward to the expansion of my work that builds on the foundation of RBI and the RBI Justice 40 Hub. I’m excited to develop what has the potential to be a national model for how data-driven research, institutional collaboration, and community partnership can be integrated to support sustainable economic development and equitable opportunity in rural America.”
Building a Road Map For a Healthy, Whole Community
RBRI translates community-level data into actionable insights that guide RBI’s project deployment pipeline, inform public policy, and seed replicable project models such as RBI’s Sustainability Hub and the Resilient LAND Fund.
Comprehensive Data Framework
Integrates environmental, climate, and social health data to provide a holistic community overview.
Strengthening Local Leadership
Equips leaders and policymakers to identify needs, track progress, and guide equitable investments effectively
Advancing Justice and Sustainability
Supports Justice40 goals by promoting resilience, sustainability, and environmental justice across communities.
Stay Connected with Us
Rooted in Research. Ready for Partnership.
If you’re building climate solutions grounded in community, we’d be glad to explore how RBRI can strengthen your work with data, strategy, and stewardship.
Good for the people. Good for the planet.
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