Wisconsin State Capitol building's domed roof behind peeks out from several green trees.

Knowles Nelson Lobby Day

March 12, 2025
Madison, Wisconsin

Knowles-Nelson Lobby Day is an advocacy, networking, and educational event for all those who value Wisconsin’s land, water, wildlife, and way of life.

Join us in Madison on March 12, 2025 to advocate for the reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. We’ll share success stories with legislators and demonstrate why its continued funding is essential for preserving Wisconsin’s outdoor legacy.

Lobby Day will kick off at the Wisconsin Masonic Center with a morning of advocacy programming to prepare you for meetings with your legislators. We’ll provide materials and key talking points about the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Then, you’ll head to the Capitol for pre-scheduled meetings with legislators and their staff. As meetings wrap up, we’ll reconvene with an informal networking session to debrief and connect with fellow advocates.

All are welcome and encouraged to participate in this important day for our state’s future. Together, we will make a difference in shaping conservation policy. 

Agenda at a glance

9:30 am • Registration Opens

Check-in at the Wisconsin Masonic Center, located at 301 Wisconsin Ave. Please enter through the Wisconsin Avenue entrance. A light breakfast of coffee, pastries, and fruit will be available as you arrive.

10:15 AM • Educational Program, Speakers & Issue Briefing (PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE)

Our program will begin promptly at 10:15 AM (15 minutes earlier than originally planned) to accommodate our VIP guest speakers. This session will include welcome remarks, presentations from special guests, and a briefing on the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. You’ll receive training on effective advocacy techniques and storytelling.

11:45 am • Working Lunch

Enjoy lunch while participating in small group discussions to practice your advocacy skills. This working lunch will help you refine your “Knowles-Nelson elevator pitch” and prepare for your upcoming legislative meetings.

12:30 pm • Walk to the Capitol

We’ll walk together from the Masonic Center to the Wisconsin State Capitol. The walk is approximately 0.3 miles (about 5-7 minutes).

12:45 pm • Group Photo at the Capitol

Pics or it didn’t happen! We’ll gather for a group photo on the Capitol steps to document our collective advocacy efforts. This photo may be used in future communications about the Team Knowles Nelson’s work.

1:00 – 4:30 pm • Pre-scheduled legislator meetings at the Capitol

Your schedule of legislative meetings will be provided at check-in. Meetings typically last 20-25 minutes and will be conducted in small groups. Staff will be available in the Capitol rotunda to assist with any questions.

4:00 – 6:00 pm  Lobby Day Networking Happy Hour

Return to the Wisconsin Masonic Center for a casual reception to connect with fellow advocates, share experiences from your legislative meetings, and discuss next steps for supporting the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Light refreshments and beverages will be provided.

Registration

Knowles-Nelson Lobby Day is set for Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Madison. We invite all Wisconsinites who value our state’s outdoor resources to join us – from weekend hikers to lifelong conservationists, and everyone in between. 

Venue & Lodging

 
WISCONSIN MASONIC CENTER

301 Wisconsin Ave, Madison, WI 53703

Knowles-Nelson Lobby day will be held at the Wisconsin Masonic Center in downtown Madison. The facility is historic and unique, crafted in Art Deco style, and versatile with a variety of meeting spaces.

Parking Ramps Near Wisconsin Masonic Center

Dayton/Pickney Ramp (2 blocks from WMC)
29 E. Dayton Street

Capitol Square ー North Ramp (3 blocks from WMC)
218 E. Mifflin Street

State Street Capitol Garage (3 blocks from WMC)
200 N. Carroll Street

Overture Center Ramp (4 blocks from WMC)
318 W. Mifflin Street 

Buckey Lot (5 blocks from WMC)
214 W. Gorham Street

Brayton Ramp (5 blocks from WMC)
1 S. Butler Street

East Main Street Ramp (6 blocks from WMC)
114 E. Main Street

Judge Doyle Garage (7 blocks from WMC)
215 S. Pickney Street

Dane County Ramp (8 blocks from WMC)
113 S. Henry Street

City of Madison MLK Lot (8 blocks from WMC)
215 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

Madison Concourse Hotel

1 W Dayton St, Madison, WI 53703

Lodging will be available at the nearby Madison Concourse Hotel. The hotel is within walking distance of the Masonic Center (about 1 block away). If you have mobility issues, talk with us about how we can help make your experience as easy as possible.

 

Reserve Online
Reserve your room using the Book Online button below.
The cutoff date for the room block was February 12, 2025.
Email cthomas@concoursehotel.com for help with booking a room.

Supporting Your Visit

Everyone’s voice matters, regardless of where you live in Wisconsin. While Lobby Day is a free event, we understand that traveling to Madison can be a significant expense for many participants, especially those coming from further parts of the state.

Contact morgan@gatheringwaters.org to discuss ways we can support your travel to Madison. We want to make sure distance isn’t a barrier to your participation.

Questions?

Please contact Morgan Rusnak, Advocacy Manager, at morgan@gatheringwaters.org or 608-251-9131 x10 with questions about Lobby Day.

Knowles-Nelson Lobby Day kicks off the 2025 Wisconsin Land Trust Conference – a networking, training, and inspirational event for land trust staff, board members, partners, and anyone interested in land conservation efforts in Wisconsin. All Lobby Day participants are welcome to register for the full conference. Learn more about this year’s program HERE.
Thank you to the following sponsors for supporting the 2025 Wisconsin Land Trust Conference!

Land Sponsors

Godfrey Kahn
Land Trust Alliance
Natural Communities
Wickcraft Boardwalks

Water Sponsors

First Business Bank
Landscape
67
grants to support the Ice Age Trail
700,000
Wisconsin acres protected by Knowles-Nelson
$450 Million
in grants to nonprofits and local governments
17%
of Wisconsin land is conserved
2,600
Grants to support local parks, trails and campgrounds
$2.5 billion
annual economic value of Knowles-Nelson lands
1,600
grants to support Wisconsin Boating facilities
$11.00
annual cost per Wisconsin resident
$24 Billion
forestry industry supported
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