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.”
Quick hits
America the Beautiful challenge grant application open, with $85 million to awardEnvironment America | E&E News |
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This sweeping public lands bill is a mixed bag that could increase recreation, impactsDeseret News |
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Billion-dollar donation launches Stanford climate schoolNew York Times | CNN | San Francisco Chronicle | Mercury News |
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Biden seeks $500 million in Ukraine package to boost mining in USE&E News |
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Satellite footage illustrates the scope of Western catastropheNew York Times |
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Las Vegas says goodbye to grass thanks to new lawNew York Times |
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New Mexico receives federal disaster declaration as wildfires burnReuters | Associated Press |
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What qualifies as camping—and who is it for?The New Yorker |
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Quote of the day
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.”
Picture this
(featured image: Sunset in Big Sky, Montana. Venture West, Wikimedia)
