WisBiz Green Blog
Knowles-Nelson Still Not Done
WisBiz Green Blog
Knowles-Nelson Still Not Done
By Gregg Hoffmann
The State Legislature passed several bills, including a couple on PFAS, before heading home last week.
But, one of the most important for those of us advocating for the environment remained undone – the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
The program could be endangered although some legislators and Gov. Evers still think action can be done. Some legislators believe a compromise can be reached and voted on when they return to session in April.
Advocates need to continue to lobby for the program. “For us, it means the work continues,” Charles Carlin of Gathering Waters wrote in an email. “There’s still a path to funding Knowles-Nelson before it expires in June, and legislators are feeling the heat of that looming deadline. Our job is to make sure that doesn’t change.”
April 13 is becoming an important date for the program. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress, a citizen-led body that advises the state on natural resource policy, holds its Spring Hearing in all 72 counties on that date.
“Thanks to your efforts, citizen resolutions calling for the reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program were submitted in over 50 counties and will be on the questionnaire at this year’s Spring Hearing,” Carlin wrote in the email.
“The 2026 Spring Hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on April 13. Online voting will also be open from April 13-15. Show up, bring a neighbor, and make your voice heard.”
Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin (D_Whitefish Bay) joined Gathering Waters and land trust professionals from across the state at the Wisconsin Land Trust Conference earlier this month. The event included a field trip through the Milwaukee River watershed to see the work of Restoring Lands and Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy firsthand.
When Republican leadership left reauthorization off the Senate calendar, Habush-Sintkin pushed back. In her statement following the session, Habush-Sinykin said: “I also offered an amendment to reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program for one additional year, which would give the Legislature time and ensure the program does not lapse. Republicans rejected this idea — just like they did during February’s floor day.”
Mike Carlson, Executive Director of Gathering Waters, wrote a review of the Land Trust Conference (see WisBiz Green on March 20).
“Nearly 150 people participated by networking with peers, learning best practices, sharing impactful stories about land protection, and engaging in discussions about the siting of renewable energy, among other topics,” Carlson wrote..
“The crowd was fortunate to be joined by Senator Jodi Habash Sinykin (D-Whitefish Bay). She reaffirmed her strong commitment to continue fighting for Wisconsin’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.”
Carlson also mentioned a tour at several locations that have benefitted from programs like Knowles-Nelson. Located along Lake Michigan in the city of Mequon, Donges Bay Gorge Natural Area is 23 acres. The preserve contains eroding lake bluff, upland woods, and a ravine that extends through the property.
Restoring Lands trust is actively stewarding this preserve to protect biodiversity, improve wildlife habitat, and support species using the Lake Michigan Migratory Flyway.
Representatives from The Conservation Fund and MMSD also highlighted the work of the Greenseams program. For the last 25 years, this innovative collaboration has made a positive impact on the Milwaukee River Watershed, protecting more than 6,100 acres.
Carlson also noted a stop at Turtle Park, an area reclaimed for nature in the heart of urban Milwaukee. Four acres of restored prairie sit next to Restoring Lands’ Milwaukee office, providing a restful transition between the city’s hardscape and the 800-acre natural river valley of the Milwaukee River Greenway.
For more on the conference activities, see Carlson’s email on March 20.
Wisconsin is home to more than 40 land trusts dedicated to protecting vital land and water resources, promoting community-led conservation efforts, and enhancing resilience to climate change.
Land trusts in Wisconsin are nonprofit organizations that work to conserve land by acquiring and stewarding land or conservation easements. They play a crucial role in protecting natural resources, enhancing community well-being, and addressing environmental challenges. These trusts are community-led and supported, reflecting the unique needs and values of the areas they serve.
The Wisconsin Legislature created the Stewardship fund in 1989 to preserve valuable wildlife habitat and natural areas, protect water quality and fisheries, and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation.
In 1993, the Stewardship Program was renamed the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship program after two of Wisconsin’s revered conservation leaders, Warren Knowles (governor 1965-1971) and Gaylord Nelson (governor 1959-1963, U.S. Senator 1964-1981).
From its inception, the Stewardship program has funded not just DNR land acquisition and recreational development, but a family of grant subprograms through which local communities and nonprofits, matching the state investment dollar-for-dollar, have expanded parks and public nature preserves. Stewardship dollars have been invested in every one of Wisconsin’s 72 counties.
Gathering Waters advocates on behalf of Wisconsin land trusts. At the national level, GW works with the Land Trust Alliance to champion federal policies that advance land conservation work.
“In Wisconsin, we lead Team Knowles Nelson, a broad coalition of partners all working together to ensure that Wisconsin’s flagship environmental conservation program, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, is well funded and functions smoothly,” reads the Gathering Waters web site.
Henry Redman wrote in December in Wisconsin Examiner: “The looming shutdown of Wisconsin’s decades old Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant program has put conservation projects across Wisconsin at risk as land trusts attempt to muddle on without the program that has protected more than 700,000 acres of land in the state.”
Carlin wrote In an email: “Legislators may be done in Madison for now, but that means many are heading back to their home districts for listening sessions, town halls, and office hours. These are great opportunities to advocate for Knowles-Nelson, thank our champions, and remind others that their constituents are paying attention.”
Legislators debated for months on the PFAS bill, when $125 million in stalled funds was waiting to be allotted. So, state lawmakers are known to delay votes when the heat is on.
There is potential that both the Assembly and the Senate come back again for floor sessions to vote on a tax bill. Habush Sinykin hopes that issues like Knowles-Nelson will also be added to the agenda. A spokesperson for Gov. Evers said he remains optimistic that a deal can be reached to save the program.