Poll: More WY Voters Prefer Conservation to Extraction on Public Lands
Eric Galatas, Producer
Monday, February 4, 2019
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Wyoming voters on both sides of the political divide support conservation efforts on public lands, according to the ninth annual Conservation in the West Poll from Colorado College.
Tim Brass is the state policy director for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, a group with roughly the same number of Republican and Democratic Party members. He says when it comes to protecting publicly owned lands, hunters and anglers – regardless of party affiliation – are on the same page.
"I think these polls showed that, once again, hunters, anglers and the voting public in Wyoming – folks care deeply about our public lands, our public waters and conservation of our fish and wildlife habitat," he states.
Researchers found that half of Wyoming voters want the new Congress to prioritize protections for clean water sources, air quality and wildlife habitat while keeping public lands accessible for outdoor recreation.
But 42 percent of voters in the state believe Congress should fall in line with the Trump administration's goal of maximizing extraction on federal lands in order to achieve energy dominance.
More than 9 in 10 Wyoming voters say the outdoor recreation economy is important for the future of the state and states across the West.
Pollster Lori Weigel notes 70 percent of voters in Wyoming say proximity to public lands, including national forests, parks or trails, is a big reason why they live in Wyoming.
"It's not just a stereotype about the West,” she states. “They are embracing it. Seven in 10 told us they consider themselves to be an outdoor recreation enthusiast. It was significantly higher among those who engage in hunting and fishing."
Researchers – from one firm that traditionally works for Democrats and one that traditionally works for Republicans – surveyed 400 registered voters in each of eight western states, including Wyoming.
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