In his budget address last night, Governor Evers called for a major reinvestment in Wisconsin’s conservation legacy, proposing a 10-year reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program at $100 million annually. The program supports land protection and outdoor recreation infrastructure through partnerships between land trusts, local governments, tribal nations, and state agencies. Read the full press release.
Post-Budget Analysis Webinar: What’s Next for Knowles-Nelson?
Reminder: Join us on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 10:00 am for a live webinar breaking down the Governor’s budget address. Our advocacy team will discuss the budget proposal’s implications for the Knowles–Nelson Stewardship Program, map out legislative next steps, and share effective advocacy strategies. Whether you’re new to conservation or a longtime advocate, this webinar will help you understand what’s at stake for Wisconsin’s outdoor legacy.
RSVP HERE for the Zoom link.
Take Action: Make Your Voice Heard
Now that the budget process is officially underway, send a postcard to your legislators urging them to reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program for 10 years with $100 million in annual funding. Upload a photo showing why Wisconsin’s outdoors matter to you. We’ll print and mail your postcard directly to your state legislators and the governor to drive home how this is a budget priority for Wisconsinites. Visit Postcards.KnowlesNelson.org to create your postcard.
Wisconsin’s 2025-27 Budget Process: What You Need to Know
Governor Evers has just delivered his biennial budget address, kicking off a months-long process that will shape Wisconsin’s state spending for the next two years. Here’s what to watch:
Budget Snapshot:
- The state is sitting on substantial budget surpluses: $4.6 billion for 2024 and a projected $4.2 billion for the current fiscal year
- The previous budget totaled nearly $100 billion
- The new budget cycle begins July 1, 2025
Timeline:
- March: Evers will reveal the capital budget proposal for long-term projects
- March-May: The Joint Finance Committee will review and likely significantly revise the governor’s proposal
- By June 30: The Legislature must pass a final budget
Political Dynamics:
With a divided government, expect difficult and fraught negotiations. The Joint Finance Committee has historically stripped many of the Governor’s proposals out as they build their own version of the budget. What does that mean for us? It means that while we are thrilled with the Governor’s proposal, there’s a lot of work to do to get from a great proposal to a solid Knowles-Nelson reauthorization that is passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor.
Want to Dive Deeper? For a comprehensive breakdown of Wisconsin’s budget process, check out this Wisconsin Watch article: “Here’s how Wisconsin’s state budget process works”
