Memo: Bipartisan Majorities Support Federal Conservation Initiatives
By Danielle Deiseroth, Senior Climate Data Strategist, Data for Progress
Summary and Highlights
Nearly all likely voters (91 percent) think it is important to save at-risk wildlife, fish, and plants for future generations
Roughly two-thirds of voters (67 percent) think the best way to save at-risk wildlife species is through local collaboration to restore habitats
Majorities of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans all support the Recovering America's Wildlife Act
Introduction
While some proposals centered on climate action and the clean energy transition enjoy strong support among Democrats and weak support among Republicans, conservation issues provide rare common ground between the parties. Previous Data for Progress polling has found that voters both nationwide and in western battleground states widely support federal conservation initiatives, including both the America the Beautiful conservation plan and strengthening protections for endangered plants and animals.
In a December 2021 national survey, Data for Progress and the National Wildlife Federation assessed likely voters’ attitudes toward conservation issues and the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. We find that voters across party lines recognize the critical importance of preserving at-risk wildlife for future generations and prefer local collaboration to restore habitats rather than sweeping federal regulations. We also find that voters support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act by an overwhelming +76-point margin.
Polling Findings
First, we asked voters how important or not important they think it is to save at-risk wildlife, fish, and plants for future generations. A remarkable 91 percent of voters think it is “very” or “somewhat” important to save at-risk species. The intensity of concern around this issue is notable: Over three-quarters of Democrats (78 percent), roughly two-thirds of Independents (63 percent), and over half of Republicans (53 percent) say it is “very” important to save at-risk wildlife, fish, and plants.
Next, we presented voters with two different approaches to conservation and asked them to select which approach they preferred. Over two-thirds of voters (67 percent) prefer local collaboration to restore habitats over federal regulation and litigation. Majorities of Democrats (55 percent), Independents (77 percent), and Republicans (75 percent) all prefer centering local collaboration to preserve habitats, the approach taken by the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.
Finally, after giving voters a brief description of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, an overwhelming 84 percent say they support the bill. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act enjoys near-unanimous support among Democrats (93 percent support), Independents (88 percent), and Republicans (77 percent).
Conclusion
In a time of heightened political polarization, conservation emerges through the noise as an issue with real bipartisan consensus. Lawmakers in Congress should feel confident passing the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act knowing that voters across the country strongly support federal investment in wildlife conservation.
Danielle Deiseroth (@danielledeis) is the Senior Climate Data Analyst at Data for Progress.