Broad Poll Shows 84 Percent of Voters Support Wildlife Act

Broad Support for Landmark Wildlife Conservation Bill 84% of Likely Voters Support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 12, 2021)— The results of a new national poll from Data for Progress further demonstrate overwhelming support for wildlife and habitat conservation and the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.

In a December poll of more than 1,100 likely voters, nearly all respondents (91 percent) said it was important to save at-risk wildlife, fish, and plants for future generations. This confirms previous Data for Progress polling that found voters nationwide broadly support federal conservation initiatives.

“We have seen time and time again that the public wants to protect wildlife and our outdoor heritage for future generations,” said Mike Saccone, vice president of communications at the National Wildlife Federation. “Congress has responded in recent years by passing landmark legislation like the Great American Outdoors Act on a bipartisan basis. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act offers our leaders an opportunity to build on these achievements by passing a historic, broadly popular wildlife conservation bill.”

The recent poll also found that more than two-thirds of voters (67 percent) prefer local collaboration to restore habitats. Majorities of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans all preferred this approach.

Finally, the poll specifically asked about the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, a bill with bipartisan support in the House and Senate that would dedicate $1.4 billion annually to locally-led conservation efforts.

After hearing a brief description of the bill, an overwhelming 84 percent of likely voters supported it. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act enjoyed near-unanimous support among Democrats (93 percent support), Independents (88 percent), and Republicans (77 percent).

“America’s wildlife are in crisis, with roughly one third of species experiencing significant challenges,” Saccone said. “The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will help wildlife by funding on-the-ground restoration efforts at the scale necessary to prevent extinctions and secure our wildlife heritage.”

About the poll: From December 3 to 6, 2021, Data for Progress conducted a survey of 1,166 likely voters nationally 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 ±3 percentage points. Read the polling memo here.

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