Poll: Idahoans Strongly Favor Public Lands Conservation Over Oil and Gas Development | Idaho
LEWISTON, ID—As debates continue over the future of America’s public lands, a new bipartisan poll shows that Idahoans—alongside voters across the West—overwhelmingly support conservation over energy development. In fact, support for protecting clean water, wildlife habitat, and public access to outdoor recreation has reached an all-time high.
The 15th annual Conservation in the West poll, conducted by Colorado College’s State of the Rockies Project, surveyed voters in eight Mountain West states, including Idaho. A remarkable 72% of respondents said they want elected officials to prioritize conservation of public lands and natural resources, while only 24% favor expanding oil and gas development on those lands.
Even among self-identified “MAGA” voters—often seen as more supportive of fossil fuel development—a slim majority (51%) favored protecting public lands.
“There’s a clear message here,” said Katrina Miller-Stevens, an associate professor at Colorado College and former director of the State of the Rockies Project. “Voters of all political stripes value the outdoors and want to see it preserved.”
For Idahoans who cherish their weekend hikes in the Clearwater National Forest, fishing along the Snake River, or stargazing in places far from city lights, the poll reflects a deep cultural appreciation for the state’s natural beauty. Nearly 90% of Westerners surveyed—including Idaho voters—oppose removing protections from national public lands to allow for more drilling or mining.
The sentiment is backed by action: 67% of Westerners reported visiting public lands three or more times in the past year, and 24% said they visited more than 10 times.
Other key findings from the survey include:
92% support requiring oil and gas companies to pay for cleanup after drilling.
88% support rules requiring updated technology to prevent methane leaks.
89% support managing public lands to preserve dark skies for stargazing.
86% support greater Tribal input into land use decisions involving culturally significant areas.
Even in the face of rising costs and housing shortages, Westerners aren’t willing to sacrifice natural spaces. When asked whether they’d support selling public lands to build housing, 82% said no. Most preferred building new housing within or near existing communities.
Federal agencies tasked with managing public lands also received high marks. Between 61% and 86% of respondents gave favorable ratings to the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Environmental Protection Agency.
Idaho, where public lands are central to local economies and a way of life, may find these results especially relevant as lawmakers consider energy policy, conservation budgets, and land use changes.
The bipartisan poll—conducted in January 2024 and funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation—surveyed more than 3,300 registered voters, including at least 400 in each of the eight states.
Full results from the survey, including Idaho-specific data, can be found here.
