The Dane County Board of Supervisors has passed Resolution 361 urging state lawmakers to renew funding for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program in the upcoming 2025-26 state budget, as reported by Tribune Enterprise.
The resolution comes as the program faces expiration in 2026 and opposition from some Republican lawmakers, including Joint Finance Committee members who have threatened to end the program following a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that limited their authority to halt already-allocated projects.
“Shuttering the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program would have a detrimental effect on communities in Dane County and across Wisconsin,” said Dane County Board Chair Patrick Miles. “Ensuring access to outdoor experiences for future generations is crucial, but this is also a matter of economic importance. The programs supported by the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program play a vital role in driving Wisconsin’s economy.”
The program has supported over 500 conservation projects in Dane County alone, from Indian Lake County Park to the Pheasant Branch Conservancy. Since the Stewardship Program’s start in 1989, Knowles-Nelson has provided matching grants to local governments and nonprofits to enhance outdoor spaces, add parks and trails, and expand recreation opportunities that boost local economies.
Named after former Republican Governor Warren Knowles and former Democratic Governor Gaylord Nelson, the program has historically enjoyed bipartisan support throughout its 35-year history.
Featured image by Warren LeMay, 2022
