The Joint Finance Committee’s public listening sessions tour has concluded and decision-making has officially begun. Last week, the committee began meeting for executive sessions where they decide what to include in the budget. In their first executive session on May 8, JFC cut over 600 items from Governor Evers’ budget proposal in a single vote. This move has become standard practice with Republican lawmakers controlling the legislature and a Democratic Governor crafting the executive budget. A couple of policy provisions related to Knowles-Nelson were removed in this vote, but not the overall proposal. Don’t read too much into this initial vote, JFC is really just getting to work on the meat of the budget.
We don’t yet know when the committee will take up the DNR’s budget and Knowles-Nelson. Stay tuned.
For Team Knowles Nelson, it’s important to stay focused on positive outreach to legislators. Today is a great day to send your legislators a quick email asking them to advocate for Knowles-Nelson. This is equally important whether your legislators are Republicans or Democrats. This year, all legislators have some capacity to positively impact budget negotiations.
Many legislators are still holding local listening sessions around the state even though the JFC roadshow is done. Local listening sessions are a terrific opportunity to speak directly with your legislators about the importance of Knowles-Nelson to you and your community.
Even representatives who already support conservation benefit from hearing fresh stories they can share with colleagues during budget discussions. As committee members weigh competing priorities, hearing from constituents helps ensure Knowles-Nelson stays top of mind.
View list of upcoming listening sessions HERE. If you attend one, let us know how it goes!
Stay in the Loop – May 22 Policy Update Webinar
Join us on Thursday, May 22 at 2:00 PM for an update on the campaign to renew the Stewardship Program. Our advocacy team will share recent budget developments, legislative dynamics, and progress towards reauthorization. We’ll share the latest news available and discuss the best ways for all of us to support a successful reauthorization.
RSVP to receive the Zoom link HERE.
Building a Better Framework: Reimagining Program Oversight
The question of oversight for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is a central theme in discussions with legislators about renewing funding for the program. The previous system, which allowed anonymous legislators to indefinitely block conservation investments, was ended when the WI Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional. We now have an opportunity to implement a more transparent and collaborative approach to oversight.
While Knowles-Nelson already operates under comprehensive statutes and rules, we in the conservation community welcome thoughtful discussions about new approaches to oversight. In particular, we welcome ideas that increase transparency and foster productive communication between legislators, agency officials, and the stakeholders who make this program work day in and day out.
Wisconsin has effective models that could be adapted for the Stewardship Program. The Wisconsin Council on Forestry and the Council on Tourism are two excellent examples. Both are advisory bodies composed of legislators from both sides of the aisle, agency officials, and a broad array of stakeholders. The Council on Forestry produces a report every two years on the state’s forest resources and forest industry as well as Council activities. A similar report from a Knowles-Nelson council would complement the program review provided by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau and could focus more on the program’s conservation impact and policy direction.
We find this Council model appealing because it could increase transparency, provide a space for productive dialog, and allow legislators, agency officials, and stakeholders to work together to continually improve the program.
We’re always open to discussing changes that make Knowles-Nelson an even more effective and efficient tool for protecting Wisconsin’s land and water. What matters most is that any new oversight mechanism supports–rather than hinders–the program’s vital conservation mission.
Protecting the Process: Court Reviews Legislative Authority Again
Last summer’s Knowles-Nelson victory in the Wisconsin Supreme Court wasn’t just about conservation, it was about the proper balance of power between branches of government. The court ruled that the Legislature cannot give one committee veto power over spending that has already been approved through the full legislative process.
Now, the Wisconsin Supreme Court is considering a similar case involving $50 million for literacy programs. Just like with Knowles-Nelson, the case centers on the separation of powers and the ability of a small committee to control appropriations after the fact. In this case, the legislature parked the funding with the Joint Finance Committee instead of distributing it directly to the Department of Public Instruction, essentially giving JFC the same type of veto power the court already ruled unconstitutional although the mechanisms are slightly different.
Both cases address the same fundamental question: What is the proper balance of power between the legislative and executive branches, especially as it relates to managing money that the full legislature and the Governor have agreed to spend on a specific purpose?
We’re keeping a close eye on this case and we will update you when the Wisconsin Supreme Court makes its ruling.
Outreach Update: Building Support on All Fronts
Team Knowles Nelson has been on the move this spring! Recently, the Town of Newbold, the City of Janesville, and Vilas County joined the growing list of communities passing resolutions supporting reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. These communities join dozens of others that recognize conservation’s importance to their residents.
Earth Day provided a perfect opportunity to showcase the impact of Knowles-Nelson when we joined Governor Evers and other conservation partners for a hike at two different Knowles-Nelson properties. Driftless Area Land Conservancy hosted the Governor for a tour of a Knowles-Nelson project in process at the former Wintergreen ski area near Spring Green. After, Southern WI Bird Alliance hosted the Governor at Faville Grove, a long-established sanctuary managed by the land trust. Spring wildflowers and returning migratory birds created a beautiful backdrop for conversations with the governor and his team about the importance of the Stewardship Program.
Meanwhile, conservation partners have been delivering the message directly to legislators. We joined Wisconsin Conservation Voters‘ Conservation Lobby Day in early May, while Wisconsin Parks & Recreation Association, Wisconsin Bike Fed, and Audubon Great Lakes have all highlighted Knowles-Nelson during their Capitol visits. Whether you bike, hike, or hunt, Knowles-Nelson protects places that matter to all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts–which is why such diverse groups advocate for the program.
Governor Evers (in red cap) celebrates Earth Day with hikes in Spring Green (left) and at Faville Grove Sanctuary (right).
2,500 Postcards Delivered – Now Watch for Updates
Thanks to your dedication, we’ve delivered over 2,500 postcards to the Capitol in support of Knowles-Nelson! This campaign has been tremendously successful in raising awareness, but now it’s time to prepare for the final push.
As JFC works on finalizing the budget, we’ll be sharing timely updates about key developments and targeted actions you can take. Keep an eye on your inbox for these important alerts–the coming weeks will be crucial for Knowles-Nelson’s future.
Featured image by Creal Zearing, 2025
