LATINO ATTITUDES ON CONSERVATION AND PUBLIC LANDS: HISPANIC VOTERS IN COLORADO AND NEW MEXICO Gabriel Sanchez Ph.D. June 11, 2014
Views on Conservation and Public Lands Latinos have strong views on protecting public lands Public lands integral to daily life in the Southwest Conservation is a motivating issue There are specific policies that resonate Deep, long-standing ties to the region drive support for land and policies that protect it
The Research Sponsored by Survey of Latino registered voters in and Implemented by Latino Decisions May 27 June 10, 2014 N=400, 200 in each state, MOE +/-4.9 Interviews in English or Spanish, at their discretion by fully bilingual interviewers Blended sample of landline telephones, cell phones, and the Latino Decisions online web panel
Preserving public land is very important How important is it for government to preserve and protect our community's public lands and open spaces for family recreation and the overall well-being of the environment? Very important Somewhat important A little or not at all important 6% 4% 15% 14% 17% 78% 82% 73% Total 9%
Among voters, conservation is a bipartisan and cross-generational priority How important is it for government to preserve and protect our community's public lands and open spaces for family recreation and the overall well-being of the environment? 2014 Voter Democrat Republican Independent 18 to 39 40 to 59 60 yrs+ Very important Somewhat important A little or not at all important 80% 15% 83% 10% 69% 25% 73% 21% 79% 14% 78% 17% 80% 13% 5% 5% 6% 6% 3% 5% 7%
Deep and enduring ties to the West Do you feel a familial connection to the land in (or)? Yes No 15% 20% 84% 80%
Deep and enduring ties to the West Do you feel a familial connection to the land in (or)? Years lived in (or) Yes No 15% 20% More than 20 68% 83% 84% 80% 10 to 20 22% 11% Less than 10 7% 5%
Public lands are integrated in daily life How often do you use public lands for recreation including: hiking, fishing, running, walking, hunting, camping? Once a week or more Monthly Yearly Don't use 45% 25% 21% 22% 32% 34% 9% 12%
Most voters regularly use public lands Percent total using public land at least once a month 66 69 63 64 67 65 19% 23% 30% 25% 29% 34% 57 58 21% 31% Once a week or more 74 33% Monthly 66 33% 36% 29% 39% 50% 44% 36% 26% 37% 41% 33% 2014 Voter Dem GOP Indep 18-39 40-59 60+ < $40K $40K-$75K >$75K
Top activities using public lands 94% 87% 85% 78% 69% 74% 54% 52% 48% 50% 53% 43% Walking, hiking or running Scenic driving Camping, backpacking, picnics Wildlife/bird watching Playground activities Fishing
Top purchases on outdoor equipment In the last 12 months, 88% of Latino voters in these states purchased equipment for outdoor activities. 40% 35% 39% 35% Camping gear Hunting, fishing or trapping license 37% 34% 33% 31% 32% 30% Bike Hiking gear Fishing equipment
Spending on outdoor equipment Amount spent on outdoor equipment among those who made purchases in the last year. 21% 25% 24% 18% 54% 57% Below $100 $100-$250 $250 or more
Spending on outdoor equipment More detailed view of spending reveals over 30% spent more than $500. 25% 21% 24% 18% 25% 20% 19% 11% 15% 21% Below $100 $100-$250 $250-$500 $500-$1,000 More than $1,000
All segments of the Latino electorate spent hundreds outdoor equipment last year $250 or more $100-$250 Below $100 19% 24% 25% 21% 24% 25% 20% 9% 29% 18% 14% 27% 23% 20% 35% 19% 14% 25% 8% 16% 60% 52% 49% 71% 53% 58% 57% 46% 61% 76% 2014 Voter Dem GOP Indep 18-39 40-59 60+ < $40K $40K-$75K >$75K
Royalties should be paid on gas burned Do you favor/oppose a plan to require oil companies to pay royalties on the gas they burn? Total Favor Total Oppose Don't know 82% 15% 71% 23% 6% 3%
The majority have strong views on royalties Do you favor/oppose a plan to require oil companies to pay royalties on the gas they burn? Strongly favor Somewhat favor Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don't know 57% 53% 25% 5% 11% 18% 7% 17% 3% 6%
Consistent views on royalties across the Latino electorate in these states Percent total in favor of plan to require royalties paid for gas burned Strongly favor Somewhat favor 78 22% 73 70 18% 90 32% 78 78 76 72 23% 19% 25% 21% 83 21% 79 20% 33% 56% 55% 37% 58% 55% 59% 51% 51% 62% 59% 2014 Voter Dem GOP Indep 18-39 40-59 60+ < $40K $40K-$75K >$75K
Drilling damages environment There is a debate regarding the environmental impact associated with the release, or burning, of natural gas during the drilling process. Which statements best reflects your view on this issue? 41% 44% 50% 47% 9% 9% This process will lead to energy independence and create jobs This process creates toxic pollution and damages the environment Don t know
A voice in public land use decisions Before leasing public lands to oil and gas companies, should government consult with our communities to identify lands important to our heritage, potentially too valuable to drill? (Percent responding yes ) 96 94 96 97 89 96 95 99 92 98 97 97 New Mexico 2014 Voter Dem GOP Indep 18-39 40-59 60+ <$40K $40K to $75K >$75K
Concern about future of public lands Are you optimistic or pessimistic that grand/children will inherit quality and abundant public lands they can use for recreation? 55% 66% 41% 31% Total optimsitic Total pessimistic
Concern about future of public lands Very optimistic Somewhat optimistic Somewhat pessimistic Very pessimistic Are you optimistic or pessimistic that 13% 11% grand/children 20% will inherit 28% quality and abundant 45% 38% public lands they can use for recreation? 17% 21%
Public lands motivate voting decisions Candidate A: Supports proposal to require oil and gas companies prove their development efforts would not harm environment or limit access to open spaces before commercial drilling occurs on public lands. Vote for Candidate A 68% 72% Candidate B: Says oil and gas companies should be able to get started developing right away to create jobs and energy. Vote for Candidate B 20% 22%
Public lands motivate voting decisions Candidate A: Supports proposal to require oil and gas companies prove their development efforts would not harm environment or limit access to open spaces before commercial drilling occurs on public lands. Candidate A definitely Candidate A probably Candidate B probably 12% 13% 39% 40% 29% 32% Candidate B: Says oil and gas companies should be able to get started developing right away to create jobs and energy. Candidate B definitely Neither/DK 8% 9% 11% 6%
Bipartisan support for candidate that supports conservation policy Candidate A: Require oil/gas companies prove won t harm environment or limit open spaces before drilling on public land. Candidate B: Oil and gas companies should start developing right away to create jobs and energy. 73 74 31% 27% 57 32% Percent Supporting Candidate A 77 Definitely Candidate A definitely 44% 36% Probably Candidate A probably 73 74 71 33% 26% 65 26% 77 83 31% 42% 42% 47% 25% 33% 37% 41% 45% 39% 46% 41% 2014 Voter Dem GOP Indep 18-39 40-59 60+ < $40K $40K-$75K >$75K
Concluding Points of Consideration Enduring ties cannot be un-done. Concern for public land and the region runs deep because of family histories and individual years invested in their states. Latinos want their concerns taking into account when policy has a direct impact on public lands. Candidates gain and lose support across all segments (party, age, income) based on their efforts to conserve lands and respect Latino views on these issues.
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