Poll shows strong support for Recovering America's Wildlife Act, Winter access for Sakakawea and Audubon etc.

Results from a national poll conducted in early December show strong support for wildlife and habitat conservation and the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, the National Wildlife Federation said in a news release.

Polling group Data for Progress surveyed more than 1,100 likely voters in the Dec. 3-6 poll, and 91% of respondents 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,” Mike Saccone, vice president of communications at the National Wildlife Federation, said in a statement. “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%) 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% of likely voters supported it. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act enjoyed near-unanimous support among Democrats (93% support), Independents (88%) and Republicans (77%).

“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.”

More than $1.5 million in Expedited Conservation Projects grants funding remains in Minnesota after the second round of ECP grants closed.

The application period for the $1.5 million remaining in the third round of grants is open until Jan. 17. Part of Minnesota’s Conservation Partners Legacy grant program, ECP grants fund eligible activities that restore or enhance forests, wetlands, prairies or habitat for fish, game and wildlife on public lands and waters in Minnesota.

Grant requests may range from $5,000 to $50,000, with a maximum total project cost of $575,000. Nonprofit organizations and government entities are eligible to apply, and a 10% match of non-state funds is required. Apply online by 3 p.m. Jan. 17.

Funding for the CPL program comes from the Outdoor Heritage Fund .

Info: Email lscplgrants.dnr@state.mn.us .

There will be 114 recreation access points onto Lake Sakakawea and 20 points of entry onto Lake Audubon this winter, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Monday, Dec. 12, in a news release. The access points are a combination of boat ramps, shoreline access sites and freeways located in limited development areas, the Corps said. Only a couple of the points will be foot traffic only, mainly because of terrain.

Entry points, as defined in the Corps’ access policy, are available from freeze-up until April 1 of each calendar year or until the two lakes become ice-free, whichever comes first.

The Corps of Engineers now updates and maintains an interactive web application pertaining to ice access locations. The app displays all approved ice access locations and their status. Users can also download the Environmental Systems Research Institute application at no cost on either iPhone or Android and search “Lake Sakakawea Ice Access.”

Woodpecker Bay and Lake Sakakawea State Park Boat Ramp access points will be closed for the 2021-2022 season because of “resource damages,” the Corps said.

For more information, contact Corps of Engineers offices in Riverdale (701) 654-7411 or Williston (701) 572-6494); or North Dakota Game and Fish Department offices in Riverdale (701) 654-7475) or Williston (701) 774-4320.

• North Dakota’s free ice fishing weekend is Dec. 25-26. Resident anglers may fish that weekend without a license. All other winter fishing regulations apply. More info: gf.nd.gov.
• The 2022 North Dakota OUTDOORS calendar is available to order on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. The calendar features color photographs of North Dakota wildlife and scenery, and includes season opening and application deadline dates, sunrise-sunset times and moon phases. Calendars also are available by mail order. Send $3 for each, plus $1 postage, to Calendar, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095. The calendar is the North Dakota OUTDOORS magazine’s December issue, so current subscribers should have already received it in the mail.

– compiled by Brad Dokken