We are thrilled and impressed with the hard work put in by so many of you to champion local government resolutions in support of Knowles-Nelson. These resolutions send a strong message to state lawmakers that Knowles-Nelson is vitally important to local communities and strengthens the case that protecting our outdoor spaces is a shared priority.
We have tracked passage of 20+ different local government resolutions in support of Knowles-Nelson, including:
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Northwoods: Antigo, Cornell, Lake Tomahawk, Merrill
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Central WI: Green Lake, Hatley, Wausau, Marathon County
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South Central WI: Beloit, Milton, Lodi, Portage, West Baraboo, Dane County, Rock County
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Northeast WI: Two Rivers, Door County, Fond du Lac County
View all recently passed resolutions from across the state, which can serve as templates for bringing one forward in your own community. And thank you again for the hard work that goes into passing these resolutions!
Speaking Up at Budget Hearings
The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) will hold its final budget listening sessions this month, creating more opportunities to advocate directly for Knowles-Nelson:
- April 28 | Hayward
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Hayward High School Auditorium
10320 N. Greenwood Lane, Hayward, WI 54843
- April 29 | Wausau
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Northcentral Technical College
1000 W. Campus Drive, Wausau, WI 54401
Many legislators are also hosting local listening sessions across the state and while these aren’t always budget-specific, they provide valuable chances to raise Knowles-Nelson as a priority. View upcoming legislator listening sessions HERE.
How to Prepare: Keep your comments concise (under 2 minutes) and focus on personal experiences. Mention specific places in your community that have benefited from the Stewardship Program and how these outdoor spaces impact your family, local economy, or quality of life.
Whether you’re able to attend a hearing or not, please take a moment to email both your legislators AND the Joint Finance Committee using the button below. As budget decisions accelerate, we’ll be sharing more quick-action opportunities so you can respond to time-sensitive updates in real-time. Your consistent engagement throughout the budget process is what will keep Knowles-Nelson in the conversation.
Understanding Program Oversight: Facts vs. Fiction?
The question of oversight for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has emerged as a central theme in this year’s reauthorization debate. One particularly egregious form of “oversight,” anonymous legislative vetoes of already approved projects, was ruled unconstitutional by the WI Supreme Court. We are now hearing a lot of conversation and concern about how to replace that oversight with something else. Before rushing into creating new structures, it’s worth having a look at how the legislature, through existing statutes, and DNR staff, through administrative rules and their administration of the program, already exercise significant oversight.
Let’s examine the process for a land trust to secure a Knowles-Nelson grant as an example:
Before a land trust can even apply for funding, they must demonstrate their credibility as an organization. State rules require proof of sound financial management, verified expertise in land stewardship, and a commitment to professional land trust standards. This initial screening ensures only qualified organizations with proven track records apply for Knowles-Nelson funding.
When it comes to choosing which lands deserve protection, the process is rigorous. Projects face evaluation against twelve specific merit criteria established in Wisconsin Administrative Code. Does the land protect critical wildlife habitat? Will it preserve rare natural communities? Does it connect existing conservation areas to create wildlife corridors? Will it enhance water quality or provide excellent recreational opportunities for Wisconsin families? The most competitive grants meet multiple criteria, ensuring state funds go to the most high value conservation lands.
Financial accountability is also important. Every project requires independent professional appraisals reviewed by trained DNR staff. Properties valued over $350,000 require two separate appraisals with funding based on the lower value. Strict rules prevent artificial inflation of land values, and reimbursements require comprehensive documentation of all expenses.
Finally, Knowles-Nelson guarantees lasting conservation through legally binding obligations that stay with the land forever. Each funded project requires a grant contract recorded at the county Register of Deeds, which ensures the land stays in conservation no matter who may own it in the future. These obligations continue in perpetuity.
When critics claim the program lacks oversight, they overlook the comprehensive framework our Legislature has already established. We are always open to conversations about how to improve Knowles-Nelson, and it’s important that we don’t lose sight of the safeguards the legislature has already put in place.
Mail Call: Send Your Legislators a Postcard
Sometimes the simplest actions make the biggest difference. Our postcard campaign makes it easy to send a personal message to legislators about why Knowles-Nelson matters to you.
It’s simple: Upload a photo of your favorite protected place, add a brief message in support of reauthorizing Knowles-Nelson, and we’ll print and deliver your postcard to your legislators and the Governor.
With Earth Day approaching on April 22, this is the perfect moment to remind legislators that Wisconsinites treasure the natural places that make our state special.
Around the State
Conservation partners across Wisconsin continue to bring Knowles-Nelson into the spotlight in their communities.
On April 7, the Door County League of Women Voters hosted a panel discussion focused on the local impact of the Stewardship Program, featuring conservation organizations, government officials, and residents who shared their experiences with protected lands. Thanks to Representative Joel Kitchens for attending and sharing valuable insights.
On April 10, State Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin hosted a community conversation in Port Washington about Knowles-Nelson’s regional impact. Senator Habush Sinykin also provided attendees with a better understanding of the state budget process and engaged with constituents about the challenges facing program reauthorization.
Pictured: State Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin speaking to a group of community members at the Port Washington Library on April 10.
