For Immediate Release

Polling Shows Overwhelming Bipartisan Support for Public Lands in Oregon

Oregon Wild today released results from a statewide poll conducted this month by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research showing that 80% of Oregonians would be less likely to support a politician who votes to sell off public lands. According to the poll, privatizing forests, parks, and wildlife refuges was unpopular across all regions and demographics. Although disposing of national public lands is a plank in both the national and state GOP platform, results indicate it is opposed by roughly two-thirds of Oregon Republicans.

“Attacks on public lands – from the Malheur occupation to the threat to sell the Elliott State Forest – are uniting Oregonians across the political spectrum,” said Oregon Wild Communication Manager Arran Robertson. “This polling calls into question how an anti-public lands agenda ended up in a major party political platform. From Cabelas shoppers to REI members, threats to public land create bipartisan opposition.”

“There is a clear lesson here for Oregon’s current and future leaders: stand by our lands,” said Alexander Harris, Public Lands Fellow for Oregon Wild.

KEY FINDINGS

  • 80% of Oregonians, including 67% of Republicans and 79% of Independents, would be less likely to support a politician who votes to sell off public lands
  • 70% of Oregonians support creating more protected Wilderness areas in Oregon
  • 63% of Oregonians would support stricter logging rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

“This poll demonstrates the ferocious blowback received by politicians in Oregon, Utah, and across the West wasn’t a fluke,” said Oregon Wild Conservation Director Steve Pedery. “Support for keeping public lands public runs deep and across party lines.” 

DOWNLOAD THE RESULTS