Sierra Club Wisconsin-Chapter’s 2025 Year In Review highlights the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program as a core part of the chapter’s public lands work during the past year. The recap notes that the Legislature did not renew stewardship funding in the 2025–27 state budget, leaving the program on track to expire in summer 2026 without further action.
The recap reflects Sierra Club’s efforts to push for a path forward on Knowles-Nelson, which remained a focus of the chapter’s advocacy work throughout 2025.
In February, Sierra Club supported Gov. Evers’ proposed budget, which included substantial reinvestment in the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. In August, the chapter backed legislation introduced by Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin and Rep. Vincent Miresse to reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, which included creating an oversight committee and increasing annual funding. In September, Sierra Club organized during Public Lands Month to build public support for reauthorization.
