Door County Land Trust Expands Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp
Building on a 19-year conservation effort, Door County Land Trust adds 20 acres to over 400 protected acres in Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp, enhancing wildlife habitat and water quality.
Supreme Court Ruling Reshapes Knowles-Nelson Grant Process: What You Need to Know
The recent Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling has reshaped the landscape for conservation funding in the state. With the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program up for reauthorization in 2025, it’s crucial to understand these changes and their broader implications.
Land trusts to seek more Stewardship funds after state Supreme Court decision
Land conservation groups anticipate submitting more funding requests for Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program grants now that the Joint Finance Committee can’t legally block conservation projects.
Data Wonk: The Imperial Legislature Is Shot Down
A critical analysis argues Wisconsin’s Legislature has overreached its powers, citing examples including GOP efforts to restrict Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program spending oversight and other executive actions.
LETTER: Supreme Court reins in JFC that tried to kill Clay Bluffs
A letter to the Ozaukee Press praises the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s ruling curbing JFC oversight, describing it as a decisive win for Knowles-Nelson and future conservation efforts statewide.
WI Environmental Groups Celebrate Supreme Court Ruling
Midwest Environmental Advocates and Clean Wisconsin, both of which filed amicus briefs in the separation of powers lawsuit, praised the court’s decision that a statute allowing the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) to block Knowles-Nelson projects is unconstitutional.
Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions breakdown: Absentee ballot drop boxes, stewardship purchases
A Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling curtailed legislative interference in absentee ballot drop boxes and blocked legislative vetoes over land purchases, reinforcing decisions that previously limited committee blockages of Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program conservation purchases.
Legislature can’t block conservation funds, Wisconsin Supreme Court rules
In a 6-1 decision, the court ruled that the Republican-controlled budget committee violated the state constitution by blocking Knowles-Nelson funds for land stewardship projects.
State’s high court rules Legislature can’t block conservation funds after they’ve been budgeted
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that the Joint Finance Committee’s use of its power to block state spending on land conservation projects after the money has been budgeted is unconstitutional.
GOP committee overstepped authority by blocking governor, state Supreme Court finds
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that Republican-led legislative committees overstepped their authority by blocking actions of the governor, including efforts by the Department of Natural Resources to acquire land through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. The 6–1 decision found the practice violated the state constitution’s separation of powers.
