FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2026
Contact: Erika Brink
(951) 553-3561
New Polling in District 22 Shows Public Lands Have Incredibly Strong Bipartisan Support in the Central Valley
In the newly re-drawn CD-22, registered voters across the party spectrum expressed broad support for public lands and pro-public lands members of Congress
BAKERSFIELD, CA — A new poll out today revealed that public lands are extremely important to voters across the political spectrum in California’s 22nd Congressional District (CA-22). Public lands polled as an important issue both in voters’ personal lives and when thinking about their member of Congress. The survey showed protecting public lands is an important issue for voters of all party persuasions. They regularly visit these places and are concerned about their maintenance and accessibility.
The poll, conducted by North Star Opinion Research, surveyed 400 registered voters in the new CA-22, which spans across the southern Central Valley from Bakersfield to the eastern edge of Fresno. North Star Opinion Research is a national public opinion research firm that conducts surveys and focus groups for associations, non-profits, corporations, and Republican candidates for office at all levels.
“Supporting policies that protect public lands, and opposing policies that harm them, unites Californians across the political spectrum,” said Dan Judy, Vice President, North Star Opinion Research. “Republicans, Independents and Democrats alike all visit public lands. This survey confirmed that public lands are one of the rare issues bringing Americans together. Public lands are broadly popular: 87% of voters are more favorable to a member of Congress who supports funding to take care of these places.”
Among the key findings of the poll are the following:
- 51% of CA-22 voters visit public lands at least a few times per year.
- 80% of voters oppose proposals to sell off public lands to private interests and cut off use.
- 84% of voters say it is a bad idea to reduce funding and staffing for public lands, including 72% of Republicans and 80% of Independents.
- 85% of voters, including 79% of Republicans and independents, say that protecting and preserving public lands and access is an important issue for their vote for Congress this year.
- 87% of voters are more favorable to a member of Congress who supports funding to take good care of our public lands, including facilities and park rangers.
“Public lands, parks, and other protected areas are where people find common ground,” said Dr. Logan Robertson Huecker, Executive Director, Sequoia Riverlands Trust. “We hear time and time again from local residents about the memories they’ve made in these places, whether visiting a local wildlife refuge or making a trip to our national parks and monuments. We want to see these places protected so that we can all have these experiences.”
The new California 22nd Congressional District is home to federal public lands and waters that are important to the San Joaquin Valley’s economy, recreation, and quality of life. The district includes the Kern National Wildlife Refuge, Pixley National Wildlife Refuge, and the Tule Elk State Natural Reserve area adjacent to federally managed lands, as well as Bureau of Reclamation facilities associated with the Friant-Kern Canal and the Central Valley Project. Residents and visitors enjoy these public lands and waters for birdwatching, wildlife photography, hunting, fishing, hiking, environmental education, and outdoor recreation. These federal lands also provide essential habitat for migratory birds, endangered species, and native wildlife while supporting water infrastructure that is vital to communities and agriculture throughout the region.
Residents of the new California 22nd Congressional District also benefit from being within driving distance of some of California’s most treasured federal public lands. Nearby destinations include Sequoia National Forest, Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, the Kern River corridor, Lake Isabella, and extensive Bureau of Land Management lands throughout the southern Sierra Nevada and southern San Joaquin Valley. These public lands provide opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, boating, rafting, hunting, off-highway recreation, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and visits to the world’s largest trees. For many families in the district, these nearby public lands and waters are a regular destination for weekend recreation and outdoor traditions that contribute to the region’s economy and way of life.
This survey of 400 registered voters in California’s 22nd Congressional District was conducted June 16-22, 2026. The margin of error for the full same is ±4.9%.
For more information, see here.
# # #
About the Power in Nature Coalition
Power in Nature is a statewide coalition of over 500 community groups, environmental and conservation organizations, land trusts, Indigenous organizations, and Tribal members dedicated to advancing California’s 30×30 commitment. The Power in Nature coalition has identified more than a hundred potential 30×30 projects across the state and works on a broad range of issues, including biodiversity protection, climate resilience, equity, recreation, outdoor access, and social justice. For more information, visit PowerInNature.org.
About North Star Opinion Research
North Star Opinion Research is a national public opinion research firm based in Alexandria, VA. Founded in 1991, the firm conducts surveys and focus groups across the country for associations, non-profits, corporations, and Republican candidates for office at all levels. Roll Call, a widely read newspaper on Capitol Hill, calls the firm “one of the best in the nation,” and the firm has been recognized by the bipartisan American Association of Political Consultants as its “Pollster of the Year” as well as winning the “Public Affairs Campaign of the Year” award in 2012.
