Public Land Use

“About 585 Idaho households participated in the poll of all different political persuasions and about half are mobile phones and half are land lines.”

 

Steve Stubner of the Idaho Rangeland Commission is talking about a recent phone survey conducted by U of I researchers concerning public opinion on public land use. “90% of the Idaho public support livestock grazing on public lands, which is 1% more than the poll that was done five years ago and over 10 points more than a poll that was done 10 years ago.” Public opinion also supports recreation. “The poll also found that there was the same level of support 90% for mountain biking and guided recreation just as other public land uses. That’s where the general public is.”

 

Stubner, who writes media for the rangeland commission, credits industry efforts to educate the public about public land use and stewardship. “And we would like to thank that a lot of it has to do with public education and information efforts plus, people are out there on public lands in bigger numbers than ever and they are seeing better results out on public lands in terms of the stewardship by Idaho ranchers grazing on public lands.”