Conservation partnership protects nearly 2,000 acres in southern Wisconsin
Ducks Unlimited and Groundswell Conservancy tapped remaining Knowles-Nelson funds to help secure one of the largest conservation projects in southern Wisconsin in decades.
Natural Resources Board to consider 1,200 acre conservation easement in Vilas County
The Natural Resources Board will vote this month on whether to use remaining Knowles-Nelson funds to help secure the easement.
Day 0: Meet Sarah Widder
Hello, I’m Sarah Widder!
I’m planning to ride ALL the state bicycle trails in the state continuously, connecting them with the planned connecting network corridors (designated in Wisconsin’s Trail Network Plan) to raise awareness about the great bike infrastructure in Wisconsin, highlight Wisconsin as a premier bicycling destination, celebrate getting outside and adventuring in our great state, and raise money to support all the great organizations that work so hard to expand, maintain, and protect our natural resources and recreation opportunities in Wisconsin.
How Did You Think of This Idea?
I’m a big fan of long-distance running and biking adventures and had just completed running the Ice Age Trail (in segments, on my own over the course of a couple years) and I was looking for a new adventure. I came across an old brochure my mom had of all the WI State Bike Trails and thought that would be fun to tackle next – to ride all the State Trails. When I looked into it, I learned about the WI Trail Network Plan and the plan to connect all the state trails in safe, pleasant, accessible ways to expand the trail network – which is an amazing idea but needs funding to support it.
Meanwhile, I had learned about the precarious position of Wisconsin’s natural resource funding (we are currently last in the nation) through Team Knowles Nelson and wanted to do more to support WI’s amazing natural resources and the legacy of conservation and stewardship we have in the state.
A dream was born to ride all the State Trails in support of WI’s natural resources and, especially, to support all the groups that are active in the state volunteering their time, effort, and dollars to make WI’s natural resource infrastructure what it is. And they need our help now more than ever! I hope to also raise awareness to make this a priority for our next administration and legislature so we can pass sustainable, reliable funding for conservation, resource development, and maintenance for years to come!
The Route
I plan to complete the 44 state bicycle trails (~1,700 miles of trail), 6 non-state trails (~350 miles), and ~500 miles of connecting network corridor over the course of approximately 3 weeks in October and provide daily updates on my progress and adventure via a live blog.
Supporting Team Knowles Nelson
I’m working with Team Knowles Nelson, which brings together many nonprofits throughout the state to help support the Wisconsin Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is an important state-wide grant program that supports many conservation and recreation efforts in the state, including maintenance and development of state bicycle trails. I plan to feature different organizations, in addition to Knowles-Nelson, daily, such as Friends of the State Parks, ABSF/CAMBA, Rails to Trails, and trail-specific friends groups.
There are so many great groups and people working throughout WI to preserve, protect, and maintain WI’s recreation infrastructure and natural places. With the lapse in Knowles-Nelson funding, these groups need our help more than ever, so I’ll be soliciting donations to each featured group throughout the ride. Donate to one or many, a dollar or a hundred dollars or a dollar a mile!
Come Say Hi!
There will also be fun events and adventures along the way if you want to come out and support the effort in person! Check out the list of events here if you want to come say hi and support the adventure!
Want to connect? Email me at greatstatetrailsadventure@gmail.com.
Stay tuned for daily updates and see you out there on the trails!
Dropped anchor: GOP lawmakers let Wisconsin’s Knowles-Nelson conservation program expire
UpNorthNews on how Senate Republicans let Wisconsin’s 37-year-old conservation grant program expire in June, leaving parks, trails, and boat launches in all 72 counties without state matching dollars.
Wisconsin conservation fund expires, affecting natural areas statewide
The Daily Cardinal examines how Knowles-Nelson’s expiration affects Madison and Dane County conservation projects, from land acquisition to the natural areas used as research hubs by UW-Madison students.
Visiting Boscobel Bluffs and Plum Creek with Rep. Jacobson
Mississippi Valley Conservancy hosted Rep. Jenna Jacobson, a candidate for southwest Wisconsin’s 17th Senate District, for site visits at two very different properties in July.
Grassroots Growing in Paoli
Supporters gathered at Seven Acre Dairy in Paoli for an evening of policy discussion about the future of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
Opinion | We can’t ignore our health, environment and collective future
In a Cap Times guest column, State Sen. Sarah Keyeski argues that Knowles-Nelson’s expiration reflects a broader pattern of Republican inaction on the environment and public health.
Meet Wisconsin’s Conservation Champions
Wisconsin Conservation Voters released its 2025-26 Conservation Scorecard, recognizing a record 43 legislators with perfect scores.
Cheers to Knowles-Nelson
We joined Friends of Wisconsin State Parks for trivia night at Lakefront Brewery to talk with people about how Knowles-Nelson shapes the outdoor places they already use.
