FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2026

New poll shows overwhelming majority of Montanans value conservation and demand action on public lands threats

(Helena Mont.) — In response to the newly released 2026 University of Montana Public Lands Poll, Montana Conservation Voters Executive Director Ben Super issued the following statement:

“Montanans have made one thing unmistakably clear: Conservation isn’t a side issue, it’s a deciding factor. When 90% of voters say conservation matters when choosing candidates, that’s not just consensus, it’s a mandate.

This poll confirms what we’re hearing across the state every day. People are deeply concerned about the real and growing threats facing our public lands and communities — from industrial-scale data centers straining our water and energy resources, to risky mining proposals at the headwaters of treasured rivers, to worsening drought and wildfire conditions made worse by inadequate federal investment and staffing.

These are not abstract issues. They are immediate, local, and personal for Montanans. They are directly tied to decisions being made in Washington, D.C.

Montanans want leaders who will stand up for our public lands, protect our water, and invest in the people and resources needed to manage these landscapes responsibly. They want accountability from our federal delegation, not silence or inaction, especially as decisions are made about conservation funding, land management, and proposals that could permanently alter our public lands.

This poll is a clear signal that defending Montana’s public lands isn’t just good policy, it’s good politics. Elected officials who ignore that reality do so at their own risk.”

A summary of the results and the full survey is available at https://www.umt.edu/crown-yellowstone/voter-surveys/2026/default.php.