Heidi Habeger, executive director of Groundswell Conservancy, is calling on state lawmakers to renew the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program as its future remains unresolved heading into the end of the legislative session.
In her letter to the editor, Habeger describes Knowles-Nelson as Wisconsin’s primary tool for protecting natural areas, pointing to more than 30 years of investment in parks, trails, wetlands, and wildlife habitat through state matching grants. She highlights Groundswell’s role in protecting more than 6,000 acres across south-central Wisconsin, including places like Westport Prairie and Patrick Marsh.
“These places keep our water clean, sustain wildlife and improve our quality of life. They belong to everyone forever,” Habeger writes.
With the program left out of the state budget, she warns that conservation work is effectively on hold at a time when development pressure and land turnover continue. Habeger calls on lawmakers to work across the aisle to reach a bipartisan path forward, noting that more than 90% of Wisconsin voters support renewing the program.
Featured image by Tony Abate/Groundswell Conservancy
