Why Community Districting Matters for Conservation

Accurate and honest representation for people of all colors, backgrounds, and zip codes is the cornerstone of our democracy. But right now, certain politicians are getting ready to divide our communities by drawing new districts designed to advance their own interests, not represent ours.

In April, we learned that Montana will gain a second congressional seat. This new seat in the U.S House of Representatives is a chance to get more representation in Washington D.C. that will stand up for Montana conservation values; someone who will protect our wildlands, confront the climate crisis, enhance our ability to access public lands, and help our communities thrive.

That’s not all. This year’s community districting process is also a chance to draw the lines for our two congressional districts and our entire state legislature, which means it’s a once-in-a-decade opportunity for us to draw fair, just, and equitable districts that truly represent our neighborhoods and our communities.

No matter our color, party, or zip code, Montanans agree that community members pick our leaders, not the other way around.

By joining together to speak out for fair community districting, we can ensure that we have a chance to elect leaders who will stand up for our wildlands, wildlife, clean water, and the other things that unite us across race, location, and politics. After all, when it comes to having a say over who represents us, almost all of us want a transparent process we can trust to keep communities whole and ensure all voters have an equal voice.

Over 90% of Montanans visit public lands every year and nearly 80% consider themselves conservationists. Instead of allowing politicians to carve up communities and neighborhoods to silence our voices and sweep our shared public-lands values under the rug, we need to join together to speak out for fair districting and the healthy lands, waters, and communities that bring us together.

That’s why we’re mobilizing public lands advocates like you to show up and speak out during the community districting process this summer. By uniting on behalf of a fair and transparent process, we can draw a map to make sure our leaders – from the Montana State Legislature to the U.S. House of Representatives – will stand up for the wild places we all love and allow us to pass on our wild public lands to the next generation.

On July 8 (mark your calendar!), Montana’s independent Districting & Apportionment Commission is meeting to hear public comment on how we should draw our districts in a way that’s fair and provides an opportunity for hard-working Montanans to pick the best leaders to represent our communities and the wildlands we love.

Learn more about what criteria we’re advocating for and sign on in support.

By showing up, we can help ensure that this process is transparent and fair for all of us. We can build on the legacy of all of those who have safeguarded our wild places, protected wildlife habitat and migration corridors, and kept headwaters and streams running cold, clear, and connected.

Sign up today for our State Action Team to get breaking text updates about the community districting process, reminders about meetings, and info about how you can fight for our public lands and waters. 

Join the State Action Team today

Fair districting sets the foundation for just and equitable representation for all of us, no matter where we come from or the color of our skin, for the next ten years. Let’s come together to ensure each of our votes carry equal weight, each of our voices equal stature, and each of our communities equitable public land resources.

Together, we can ensure that our beautiful state remains wild by speaking up for fair community districting.