Nevada Voters Widely Support Conserving and Protecting U.S. Public Lands
By Danielle Deiseroth Senior Climate Analyst, Data for Progress
In his first week in office, President Joe Biden issued an executive order to conserve 30 percent of America’s public lands and waters by 2030. This initiative, commonly referred to as “30 by 30”, is designed to protect nature for future generations. It takes particular aim at conserving natural infrastructure — the naturally-occurring features of our lands and waters that protect against climate change. While previous Data for Progress polling has found that 2 in 3 voters nationwide support the 30 by 30 initiative, we sought to understand how voters in a key Western battleground state, Nevada, perceive the 30 by 30 initiative and other conservation issues.
In a September 2021 survey, Data for Progress assessed the attitudes of Nevada voters towards conservation, protecting public lands, and President Biden’s 30 by 30 initiative. We also asked Nevada voters if they would support or oppose President Joe Biden designating Avi Kwa Ame, also known as Spirit Mountain, as a new national monument in Nevada.
Nevada Voters Want to Prioritize Protecting Nature for Future Generations
First, we sought to understand the key reasons why Nevada voters support conservation measures, as well as potential concerns around the designation of new conservation sites. Nevada voters think caring and protecting nature for future generations and protecting habitat for endangered animals and plants are the most important reasons why the U.S. government should conserve and protect public lands. Combined, these outcomes were cited by a majority of Nevada voters (63 percent) as the most important reasons for conserving and protecting public lands. Meanwhile, 10 percent cited protecting sites that are sacred to Tribes and Indigenous peoples, 9 percent cited protecting natural carbon "sinks" that combat climate change, 8 percent cited providing new opportunities for people to access and enjoy nature, and 5 percent cited drawing tourists to create new sources of revenue for local economies.
Meanwhile, Nevada voters express few concerns around the designation of new conservation sites. A plurality of Nevada voters say they do not have any concerns around new conservation sites (41 percent), while 12 percent indicate they do not know if they have any concerns. While some Nevada voters express concern around the potential loss of access to critical resources and lack of input from residents and businesses, these voters are in the minority.
Nevada Voters Support the 30 by 30 Federal Conservation Initiative
Next, we asked Nevada voters several questions about President Biden’s pledge to conserve 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by 2030. Over three-quarters of Nevada voters (77 percent), including a majority of Democrats (87 percent), Independents (76 percent), and Republicans (63 percent), support the 30 by 30 proposal.
In addition to supporting the 30 by 30 initiative, Nevada voters widely agree that President Biden should be taking steps now to meet this goal. Eighty-one percent of Nevada voters think it is important that the U.S. government takes action now to meet the 30 by 30 conservation goal. Consensus is bipartisan: Nearly all Democrats (95 percent), over three-quarters of Independents (76 percent), and a majority of Republicans (65 percent) all think it is important that the U.S. government takes steps to execute President Biden’s conservation directive.
Nevada Voters Support President Biden Designating Avi Kwa Ame as a National Monument
Finally, we asked Nevada voters several questions about the potential of designating a new national monument site in the state. One potential new national monument, Avi Kwa Ame (also called Spirit Mountain), would conserve hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands in Nevada and be a step forward towards meeting President Biden’s 30 by 30 conservation goal.
Given that few Nevada voters know much or anything at all about Avi Kwa Ame, we presented voters with statements both in favor and in opposition to designating the site as a new national monument. By a +43-point margin, Nevada voters support President Biden designating Avi Kwa Ame as a national monument (62 percent support, 19 percent oppose). Voters across party lines agree: Nearly three-quarters of Democrats (73 percent), a majority of Independents (61 percent), and a plurality of Republicans (49 percent) support designating Avi Kwa Ame as a new national monument in Nevada.
We also find that Nevada voters are more likely to reward candidates who support locally-led conservation efforts, including the establishment of new national monument sites in Nevada. A majority of Nevada voters (63 percent) say they are “Much more” or “Somewhat more” likely to support a candidate for U.S. Senate if they are a champion of conservation efforts in Nevada. Notably, this sentiment is bipartisan. A majority of Democrats (67 percent), Independents (59 percent), and Republicans (62 percent) all say they are more likely to support a candidate for Senate who embraces efforts to establish new conservation sites in Nevada.
It is clear that Nevada voters overwhelmingly support the conservation and protection of public lands across America. Moreover, they support President Biden’s 30 by 30 executive order and think the federal government should take steps now to ensure we meet this conservation goal. Nevada voters also support conservation measures in their own state, with broad support across party lines for designating Avi Kwa Ame as a new national monument. As the critical 2022 election year approaches, Nevada voters say they are more likely to support a U.S. Senate candidate who supports conservation efforts in the state. Nevada lawmakers should feel confident supporting conservation efforts, including the designation of Avi Kwa Ame as a new national monument, knowing that conservation is a top priority among voters and a critical step towards ensuring future generations can experience the beauty and splendor of the American West.
Survey Methodology
From September 2 to 9, 2021, Data for Progress conducted a survey of 407 likely voters in Nevada using web panel respondents. The sample was weighted to be representative of likely voters by age, gender, education, race, and voting history. The survey was conducted in English. The margin of error is ±5 percentage points.