Survey of Montanans finds that public lands are ‘critical’

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey of Montana voters shows that they consider public lands to be more critical than ever to the state’s economy and quality of life.

The recently released survey also shows that 79% of voters support stronger protections for the Badger-Two Medicine area near Glacier National Park and support designating it as a Cultural Heritage Area.

The 2020 Voter Survey on Public Lands was commissioned by the University of Montana’s Crown of the Continent and Greater Yellowstone Initiative. The biannual survey has tracked opinions about public lands since 2014.

The survey was conducted in late March making this year’s results unique, noted UM initiative director Rick Graetz.

“COVID-19 was front and center in the news when we surveyed, so I was surprised to see support for public lands and conservation issues remain steady and even grow in some cases,” Graetz said in a release. “I think it shows Montanans view our public lands and outdoors as a refuge, especially in times of national crisis, and they especially acknowledge the value of outdoor businesses when the economy is suffering.”

The survey was conducted with 500 interviews of registered Montana voters from March 19 to 24.

In the past year, 88% of Montanans have visited national public land and 89% have visited state lands.

It also found that Montanans regular participate in outdoor activities. And nearly two-thirds or residents consider themselves sportsmen participating in hunting and/or fishing.

More voters than ever before consider public lands to be helpful to the economy. In 2018, 82% said it helps the economy and in this year’s survey 89% said it helps.

Acknowledgment of the economic contribution of public lands grew by 7% since it was last asked on the 2018 survey.

It’s part of a longer-term trend, said Lori Weigel of New Bridge Strategy, one of the two firms to conduct the poll.

“If you look at all the issues we have tracked since 2014, the perception that public lands help Montana’s economy has seen the biggest bump over the years,” she said. “The trend has played out in other western states, but it’s particularly pronounced in Montana.”

Outdoor recreation business and jobs seem to be considered an important part of the state’s economy with 98% respondents agreeing to that. Related to that, 86% of voters say they are in favor of Montana’s Office of Outdoor Recreation work to support the outdoor recreation economy.

Nine out of 10 Montanans said that public lands have a positive impact on clean water, children’s education on nature and quality of life, the survey found.

The survey also found support for public land proposals that would require congressional approval, including:

• 75 percent want to increase or maintain protections for the seven national forest Wilderness Study Areas in Montana.

• 77 percent support a proposal to protect one such Wilderness Study Area in the Gallatin Range near Yellowstone National Park.

• 75 percent support the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act to expand protections on public lands adjacent to the Bob Marshall Wilderness, similar to past survey years.

• 79 percent support the proposed Montana Headwaters Legacy Act to expand the number of federally protected rivers in southwestern and central Montana.

The 2020 poll was conducted by Republican Weigel of New Bridge Strategy and Democratic pollster Dave Metz of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates.

A summary of the results and the full survey is available for download at https://tinyurl.com/y95mrga4