Wild animals can’t vote. Here’s where they’re on the ballot anyway.

Seven measures, varied effects

The November ballot includes proposals that could affect natural spaces, from habitat protection funding to efforts to address climate change. Some measures could direct new resources to conservation, while others may change how quickly projects receive environmental review.

The measures arrive as states have taken on more responsibility for protecting habitats and species. Federal actions described in the report include rolling back endangered-species protections and cutting funding to agencies that oversee large areas of wildlife habitat.

Changes to land and review

California voters will consider shortening environmental review periods for projects such as housing, water systems, clean energy and medical facilities. Supporters could see faster construction of clean-energy projects, while the Sierra Club opposes the proposal over concerns about habitat destruction.

Dedicated conservation funding

Question 6 would establish a “Nature for All Fund” using existing taxes on sporting goods, recreational vehicles and golf-course spending. The money could support natural-resource conservation, creating the state’s first dedicated funding source for such projects.

A similar Massachusetts proposal would direct existing sporting-goods sales taxes to conservation and wildfire prevention. Conservation groups support the measure in a state where wildfires have burned more than 2 million acres over the past decade.

Bonds for water and climate

Arkansas voters are being asked to approve up to $500 million in bonds for water-related infrastructure, including water treatment, waste disposal and wetlands projects. Investment in wetlands could benefit animals that depend on those habitats.

Rhode Island’s measure would authorize $55 million in bonds for environmental and recreational projects. Of that, $25 million would address climate-change impacts, while $7 million would support Narragansett Bay and its watersheds, including habitat restoration and control of invasive aquatic plants, according to the Rhode Island Current.

A wildlife management dispute

The report says another fall ballot question would put wild animals at the center of a dispute between hunters and anglers. It could reshape wildlife management in a mountain state and lead to indiscriminate deaths of wild animals. The available account does not identify that measure or provide further details about the disagreement.