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A new poll finds incredibly strong support for conservation in Montana, but Montanans are also worried their state is growing too fast.
The University of Montana Crown of the Continent and Greater Yellowstone Initiative released the poll, which found support is “the highest it has been” for the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act in western Montana, at 83 percent this year. The act is a collaborative effort that would create 78,000 acres of wilderness. The survey also found that 79 percent of voters think it’s important for Native American tribes to have a stronger role in public land decisions. Notably, almost 100% of respondents said allowing big game to move between summer and winter ranges was also important.
But Montanans are worried growth and development is changing their state. Montanans in every type of community count affordable housing as a serious problem, according to the survey, and 57 percent believe the rate of growth and development in the state is too fast.
“This survey confirms that Montanans are more concerned than ever about protecting our public lands, especially in the face of the high rate of growth and development in our state," Montana Wildlife Federation executive director Frank Szollosi said.
Wild by Design
Researcher and author Laura J. Martin came on the Center for Western Priorities' podcast to talk about the rise of ecological restoration in the United States and how it led to today’s booming off-site environmental mitigation and carbon offset industries. Martin has a new book coming out May 17 on the subject called “Wild by Design: The Rise of Ecological Restoration."
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For countless generations, the Yurok people have upheld a sacred responsibility to maintain balance in the natural world. Condor reintroduction is a real-life manifestation of our cultural commitment to restore and protect the planet for future generations.”
