Take Action

That hidden swimming spot, your morning bike route, the forest where you hunt — these special places need your voice right now. The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program needs champions like you to protect Wisconsin’s outdoor opportunities for future generations.

1.

Contact Your Legislators

Speak up for Wisconsin’s land and water.

For more than 30 years, Knowles-Nelson has helped keep Wisconsin’s outdoors open and protected. But time is running out for lawmakers to renew it. Without action, the program could expire before 2026.
Urge your legislators to step up, take action, and reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.

2.

Write a Letter to the Editor

Raise your voice in your local paper.

Letters to the editor are one of the most effective ways to show community support for Knowles-Nelson. Your words help keep conservation on the public agenda and show legislators that their constituents care deeply about Wisconsin’s natural resources.

3.

Join the Business Sign-On Letter

Protect the places that drive Wisconsin’s economy.

From outdoor gear shops and guide services to hotels, restaurants, and campgrounds near our trails, to manufacturers and the many businesses that rely on Wisconsin’s outdoor amenities to attract and retain talent—businesses across Wisconsin are calling on legislators to continue funding the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Knowles-Nelson keeps trails open, parks maintained, and Wisconsin’s economy thriving.
Add your business to the statewide sign-on letter urging legislators to fund Knowles-Nelson.

4.

Follow Team Knowles Nelson

Stay connected on social media.

Follow us on social media to see Knowles-Nelson in action, share posts with your network, and help more Wisconsinites learn how this program supports the places we all love.

5.

Support Stewardship in Style

Gear up and get outside.

Whether you’re hitting the trails or relaxing on the water, sporting your Team Knowles Nelson gear is an easy and impactful way to raise awareness for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and its vital role in shaping Wisconsin’s outdoor spaces.

6.

Stay Informed

Sign up for Team Knowles Nelson emails.

Get updates on our advocacy work, Knowles-Nelson success stories, and ways to stay involved.

7.

Explore the Advocacy Toolkit

Lead the way for Knowles-Nelson.

Our Advocacy Toolkit includes resources to help you talk with elected officials, host local events, and feature Team Knowles Nelson campaigns on your own site or social channels. Everything you need to be a Knowles-Nelson advocate — all in one place.

02

visit knowles-nelson sites with legislators

2022 is an important election year in Wisconsin. All Assembly seats, many Senate seats, and the Governor’s office will all be decided in November. Many districts will see competitive primary elections on August 9th, 2022.

More than 30 legislators are not seeking reelection, so there will be a lot of new faces at the Capitol in 2023.

Our task right now is to educate legislators and candidates on the value of land and water conservation in Wisconsin, and to educate them about how Knowles-Nelson works in communities across the state.

Need help planning a visit? Drop us a line.

Attend A Legislative Listening Session

Make your voice heard directly.

The Joint Finance Committee is hosting budget listening sessions across the state this spring, and many individual legislators are holding their own in-district sessions as well. These are perfect opportunities to tell your representatives directly why Knowles-Nelson matters to your community.

Grab a friend and make your voice heard!

02

send your legislators a postcard

share your story.

Tangible, personal messages are some of the best ways to show legislators how Wisconsin’s beautiful places enrich our lives and why it’s crucial to support environmental conservation.

We’ll print real postcards with your upload photo & message and mail them to your state representatives and Governor Evers when they’ll have the most impact.

96,000
outdoor recreation jobs in Wisconsin
$11.2 billion
economic impact of outdoor recreation in WIsconsin
4,200+
Knowles-Nelson grants to support local parks, trails, and boat launches
2.3 million
annual visitors to the Ice Age Trail
19.8 million
annual visitors to Wisconsin's state parks and trail
$5.4 billion
annual outdoor recreation wages
93%
Wisconsin households within 1 mile of a Knowles-Nelson investment
$2.5 billion
annual ecological value of Knowles-Nelson lands
2.5 million
acres of Wisconsin County Forests
Team Knowles Nelson badge with a bird taking flight.

Thanks! We'll keep you in the loop about Team Knowles Nelson.