For nearly 40 years, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program protected our lakes and streams, secured critical wildlife habitat, and provided world-class recreational opportunities. This year, for the first time in the program’s history, the Legislature let it die. Let’s bring it back.
The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is one of Wisconsin’s proudest achievements. Since 1989, Wisconsinites have come together to care for our state’s land and water as well as build the trails, campgrounds, and boat launches that allow us to get out and enjoy Wisconsin. Knowles-Nelson is a rare bipartisan success story. It’s an invaluable program, and it will only come back with a strong community of supporters who make sure Wisconsin’s legislators prioritize protected land, clean water, and outdoor recreation access for every resident.
KnowlesNelson.org is a project of Team Knowles Nelson. We are a dedicated coalition of environmental conservation organizations, fishing and hunting advocates, trail builders, bicycle enthusiasts, and thousands of committed individuals. Our coalition is a remarkable example of how solution-focused organizing and advocacy can produce results, even in the most difficult political climates.
We offer KnowlesNelson.org as a comprehensive resource on Wisconsin’s Stewardship Program. Read about the economics of environmental conservation, learn about individual Knowles-Nelson projects, keep up on the latest Knowles-Nelson news, explore interactive maps, and join our team to ensure that we protect Wisconsin’s land and water so that nature can care for us.
Curious to learn more about Knowles-Nelson? Explore our in-depth research on how the program works and the benefits it provides to Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Examiner reports on Knowles-Nelson’s expiration after 37 years, tracing how legislative obstinance brought down one of Wisconsin’s most popular conservation programs.
City Cast Madison’s daily podcast covers Knowles-Nelson’s June 30 expiration, noting that while the program still exists on the books, its future depends on who wins in November.
As Knowles-Nelson funding officially expires, Democrats gathered at parks named for the program’s namesake governors to call out Republican inaction.
CBS 58 reports on the conservation projects facing uncertainty after Knowles-Nelson’s expiration, including a 700-mile southeast Wisconsin trail network that could now stall.
This episode breaks down how Knowles-Nelson went from a bipartisan success story to a casualty of legislative gridlock, and what the candidates for governor are promising to do about it.
Wisconsin State Journal reporter Kimberly Wethal examines what Knowles-Nelson’s expiration means for land conservation, state park maintenance, and the organizations that have depended on it.
The Wisconsin Examiner reports on Knowles-Nelson’s expiration after 37 years, tracing how legislative obstinance brought down one of Wisconsin’s most popular conservation programs.
City Cast Madison’s daily podcast covers Knowles-Nelson’s June 30 expiration, noting that while the program still exists on the books, its future depends on who wins in November.
As Knowles-Nelson funding officially expires, Democrats gathered at parks named for the program’s namesake governors to call out Republican inaction.
Knowles-Nelson grants awarded to local governments and nonprofits, like land trusts, are matching grants. This means that every dollar that the state invests in a conservation project is matched by another dollar (or more) contributed by local governments or generous individuals.
Knowles-Nelson funds support land purchases, trail building, boat launches, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and more. Check out our impact stories for examples of some of the thousands of projects around Wisconsin that have been supported by the Stewardship Program.
But there’s a lot of work left to be done. Wisconsin lags behind its neighbors Michigan and Minnesota in the amount of land that we protect and the amount of money that we invest in public lands each year.
Wisconsin needs a robust investment in both land acquisition and land management in order to meet the challenges of climate change, to provide accessible recreation for all Wisconsin residents, and to support Wisconsin wildlife.
Public-Private partnerships support land and water conservation throughout Wisconsin.
Knowles-Nelson grants awarded to local governments and nonprofits, like land trusts, are matching grants. This means that every dollar that the state invests in a conservation project is matched by another dollar (or more) contributed by local governments or generous individuals.
Knowles-Nelson funds support land purchases, trail building, boat launches, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and more. Check out our impact stories for examples of some of the thousands of projects around Wisconsin that have been supported by the Stewardship Program.
But there’s a lot of work left to be done. Wisconsin lags behind its neighbors Michigan and Minnesota in the amount of land that we protect and the amount of money that we invest in public lands each year.
Wisconsin needs a robust investment in both land acquisition and land management in order to meet the challenges of climate change, to provide accessible recreation for all Wisconsin residents, and to support Wisconsin wildlife.
If there’s a natural place in Wisconsin that is special to you, chances are the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has made it better.
We’re Team Knowles-Nelson, a diverse coalition of conservation organizations, sporting groups, businesses, and individuals committed to taking care of our state. If you love Wisconsin’s land and water, then Team Knowles Nelson is for you. We’ll keep you updated on our advocacy work, share success stories, and make it easy for you to reach your legislators with the right messages at the right time.
Across the entire state of Wisconsin, Knowles-Nelson has funded land protection, trail building, clean water projects, and park improvements. Non-profit conservation organizations, local governments, and the state of Wisconsin all used Knowles-Nelson funds to care for our land and water. Prairies in the Driftless region, forests in the Northwoods, the Ice Age Trail, and the neighborhood parks in our backyards all benefited from Knowles-Nelson support.
Knowles-Nelson is gone for the first time in nearly 40 years and it will take new legislative champions to bring it back. Join the Team and we’ll work together to restore it for our kids and grandkids.
We’re a diverse coalition of more than fifty organizations and thousands of individuals all working together to protect Wisconsin’s land, water, wildlife, and our way of life.
If there’s a natural place in Wisconsin that is special to you, chances are the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has made it better.
That’s why we’re working together to make sure that Knowles-Nelson will keep working for Wisconsin.
We’re Team Knowles-Nelson, a diverse coalition of conservation organizations, sporting groups, businesses, and individuals committed to taking care of our state. If you love Wisconsin’s land and water, then Team Knowles Nelson is for you. We’ll keep you updated on our advocacy work, share success stories, and make it easy for you to reach your legislators with the right messages at the right time.
Across the entire state of Wisconsin, Knowles-Nelson provides funds to protect land, build trails, clean up our waterways, and improve our parks. Non-profit conservation organizations, local governments, and the state of Wisconsin all use Knowles-Nelson funds to care for our land and water. Prairies in the Driftless region, forests Up North, the Ice Age Trail, and the neighborhood parks in our backyards all benefit from Knowles-Nelson support.
But if we don’t speak up, Knowles-Nelson will go away. Join the Team and we’ll work together to keep Wisconsin beautiful for our kids and grandkids.
