|
The University of Montana released its biennial Voter Survey on Public Lands, showing that Montanans are concerned about conservation and public lands. This year's results showed that 89 percent of Montanans have visited public lands in the past year and 83 percent believe that national public lands help the state's economy.
The survey has tracked the opinions of Montana voters since 2014 and seeks to understand how residents think about public land and natural resource issues. "One thing that has not changed—even the folks who are new here—the deep connection that we have to public lands and the shared recognition of our state’s natural beauty is still there," said Rick Graetz, a University of Montana professor who oversees the poll. "And that connection with the land, we see a strong bipartisan demand for conservation solutions and for maintaining public access."
The survey also showed strong support for specific public lands issues. For example, seven in ten Montana voters support the new BLM Public Lands Rule finalized last week, and over 82 percent support the president using the Antiquities Act to designate national monuments, up from 78 percent in 2018 and 2020. Additionally, Montana voters support regional conservation proposals such as the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act, which would expand protections on public lands adjacent to the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
Proposed Dolores Canyons National Monument listening session
Senator John Hickenlooper is hosting a listening session in Grand Junction about the proposal to designate a national monument in the Dolores River canyons region of Mesa and Montrose counties in Colorado. The session will be held at 10:30 AM tomorrow, April 27 at Colorado Mesa University. If you live in the area, RSVP to the event and show your support for protecting this biodiverse and culturally-rich area.
|
From above, I could see where our communities lie within the entire ecosystem—from the mountains to the oceans. I got a sense of just how interconnected everything is and just how important it is to preserve this natural landscape.”
