Photo by Monte Costa

Many people consider the 2004 election the most important of their lifetime. What message did voters send about the environment? The election played out in two arenas: the national level, and the state and local level. Environmental issues were not directly in play at the national level, because, political pundits tell us, voters were more focused on cultural values. The unfortunate result is that we may now have fewer advocates in Congress for protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, wetlands, and endangered species. We must now be more vigilant than ever defending these federal protections.

On the other hand, conservation issues were in direct play in many state and local elections, where voters sent a clear message. Most ballot measures relating to the environment passed, many by overwhelming margins. For example, a statewide measure in Montana upholding a ban on the use of cyanide in mining operations passed by 16 percentage points, and in Colorado 52 percent of voters approved a requirement that public utilities derive at least 10 percent of their energy from renewable sources. Statistics compiled by the Trust for Public Land and the Land Trust Alliance show that voters nationwide approved 120 out of 161 state and local conservation funding measures worth a total of $3.25 billion.

There is a pattern to these trends. Just as voters responded to cultural values, they also responded to community values. Strong communities are where people want to raise their families, because they offer quality education, health care, jobs, transportation, recreation, arts—and a clean environment. Voters supported state and local environmental initiatives this year, as in past elections, because they support the core values of strong communities.

Audubon is a community-based organization. For more than a century our 500 local Chapters have worked with children and adults to open new eyes to nature and engage volunteers to improve their environment. Our growing network of Audubon Centers, particularly in urban areas, provide more than a million schoolchildren and adults with outdoor educational experiences that will create the next generation of environmental leaders. All our efforts are based on the philosophy that people are the greatest force for conservation, and that every individual can make a difference.

Our conservation efforts support strong communities in three important ways. First, strong communities defend themselves against pollution and other environmental threats. Audubon activists have long worked for environmental health and safety. Second, strong communities include a system of parks and open space, for both people and wildlife. Here we lead with our Important Bird Areas program, which focuses on protecting habitat that helps birds—and other wildlife—thrive. Third, strong communities foster wise stewardship of private property. Our Audubon At Home program helps homeowners, businesses, and farmers improve habitat for birds and wildlife by using fewer pesticides and fertilizers, and by growing more native plants.

The message of the election is that community values matter, and that a healthy environment is one of those core values. You can help build strong communities. To learn more, visit www.audubon.org.