More Westerners Identify as Conservationists, Poll Finds
A majority of respondents in most states favor public lands policies, with a significant jump in support over two years ago.
According to the annual Colorado College Conservation in the West poll, more and more Westerners are coming out as pro-conservation of public lands. Across the region, 76 percent of people identified themselves as conservationists (compared to 63 percent in 2016); respondents also largely saw outdoor recreation as important to their state’s economy, opposed the reduction of national monuments, and disapproved of the Trump administration’s handling of environmental issues.