The legislative session is underway, Governor Evers is about to release his executive budget, and we are hard at work advocating for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. We can’t do it without you, so please join us!
First, in addition to creating your own custom Knowles-Nelson postcard, please ask some family and friend to do so, too. More than 1,000 postcards have been sent to the capitol. Let’s make February the month we get to 2,000! Visit Postcards.KnowlesNelson.org.
Second, join us for Knowles-Nelson Lobby Day on Wednesday, March 12. Registration is free. Don’t let finances hold you back. Financial support is available if you need help covering travel expenses or lodging. We want everyone to have the opportunity to share their love for Wisconsin’s land and water with your legislators. Register at KnowlesNelson.org/LobbyDay
Already registered for lobby day? Ask your friends to join you! Invite a fellow hiker, angler, hunter, or nature enthusiast to Lobby Day. The more voices at the Capitol, the stronger our message.
RSVP HERE for the Zoom link and additional details.
New Advocacy Resource: District-Level Impact Data
Knowles-Nelson impact sheets for every Senate and Assembly district are now available in our Advocacy Toolkit. Use these district-specific numbers alongside the Office of Outdoor Recreation’s new economic impact analysis guide to demonstrate the value of Knowles-Nelson investments in your community.
Not sure who your legislators are? Find out here: maps.legis.wisconsin.gov.
Making the Economic Case for Outdoor Rec
In 2024, the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation worked with five communities to study economic impact, revealing $27.3 million in local economic activity from outdoor recreation, plus measurable benefits to community health, ecosystem services, and local development. Their new “Do-It-Yourself Guide” helps organizations measure and communicate the economic value of trails, forests, and parks in their communities – providing powerful, data-driven evidence for legislators about why Knowles-Nelson investments matter.
Download the guide and pilot community reports here.
Save the Date: Governor’s Budget Address on WisconsinEye
Governor Tony Evers will present his 2025-27 state budget address on Monday, February 18, before a joint session of the state Senate and Assembly at the Wisconsin State Capitol. This crucial presentation, which will outline key funding priorities and initiatives shaping Wisconsin’s conservation landscape, will be broadcast live on WisconsinEye and on the Governor’s YouTube channel.
Capitol Conversations
We’ve been busy meeting with legislators on both sides of the aisle to discuss the Knowles-Nelson reauthorization. Capitol politics are difficult, but we’re so pleased that Republican and Democratic legislators are expressing their support for Knowles-Nelson. Recently, we’ve met with legislative leaders like Dianne Hesselbein and Joint Finance Committee Members like Tony Kurtz.
Beyond the Capitol, we owe a special thanks to Team Knowles Nelson supporters who attended in-district listening sessions with Sen. Howard Marklein. Sen. Marklein reaffirmed his support for Knowles-Nelson in his update to constituents last Friday. We’ll keep you posted on more opportunities to connect with legislators.
Thanks to all of you for your support. Together, we’ll ensure that the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program keeps working for Wisconsin.
Featured image by George Kroeker, 2018.
