LOBBY DAY REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Registration is NOW OPEN for the first-ever Knowles-Nelson Lobby Day on March 12, 2025!
What’s a lobby day? It’s our chance to come together as a conservation community, visit with our legislators in the capitol, and deliver a strong message of support for Knowles-Nelson and all the places that make Wisconsin special. Everyone who values Wisconsin’s land, water, wildlife, and way of life is invited to join us.
We’ll start the day at the Wisconsin Masonic Center in Madison where experts will brief us on the Knowles-Nelson reauthorization and help us prepare our messages in support of conservation. After lunch, we’ll walk to the Capitol to meet with legislators. You’ll meet with the legislators who represent you and your neighbors.
Once we know you’re coming, we’ll take care of scheduling meetings with your legislators and prepping your materials. You just need to show up!
Want to dive deeper? Lobby Day is followed by the 2025 Wisconsin Land Trust Conference March 13-14. If you’re interested in attending the full conference, find registration details HERE.
Your registration includes a light breakfast and lunch at the Wisconsin Masonic Center. Thanks to generous donations from our supporters, lobby day is free!
SEND A KNOWLES-NELSON POSTCARD: YOUR STORY, YOUR LEGISLATOR’S MAILBOX
Once you’ve registered for lobby day, please take a moment and create a postcard that we’ll print and send to your legislators. It just takes a minute. Then take one more minute and ask a few friends to make postcards, too!
In January, dozens of new legislators will arrive in Madison, while many returning legislators represent new constituencies. Your postcard could be one of the first pieces of mail they receive in the new session!
Visit Postcards.KnowlesNelson.org to upload a photo of your favorite Wisconsin outdoor place and share why stewardship matters to you. We’ll print and mail your postcard to your state legislators and the governor.
WHAT’S IN A NUMBER? UNDERSTANDING THE DNR’S KNOWLES-NELSON FUNDING REQUEST
The DNR has requested $100 million in annual funding for Knowles-Nelson – a significant increase from the current $33.25 million. The requested increase in funding has raised some eyebrows in the Capitol from legislators wondering if that much money is justified. Let’s take a look:
In 2007, the legislature authorized $86 million annually for Knowles-Nelson. Since then, the program has faced a series of deep cuts. Funding was reduced to $60 million in 2011, then to $47.5 million in 2013, and finally to $33.25 million in 2015.
Meanwhile, land and construction costs have nearly doubled since 2007, meaning today’s $100 million request would actually provide less than 60% of the purchasing power that $86 million provided in 2007. At the same time, threats from climate change, habitat loss, and water quality issues have only increased.
While some may call this request unrealistic, it’s really a step in the right direction. We won’t get back to the capacity the program had more than 15 years ago, but we can continue the important work of getting Knowles-Nelson back on track so that we can care for all the places that make Wisconsin special.
HOW DID THE ELECTIONS IMPACT KNOWLES-NELSON?
In Wisconsin, the November elections narrowed the partisan divide in both houses of the legislature. The Joint Finance Committee, where funding decisions about Knowles-Nelson will be made, will have new faces and a new partisan balance. Because Democrats picked up seats in both houses, they will likely have more representation on the Joint Finance Committee (JFC). Senator Mary Felzkowski (SD 12) has been elected Senate President, so she will likely leave JFC. Senators Duey Stroebel (SD 8) and Joan Ballweg (SD 14), two other JFC members, lost their elections. We’ll find out in January who will take their seats on JFC.
Regardless of which party is in the majority, Wisconsin voters across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Polling consistently shows that land, water, and wildlife protection are top priorities for Wisconsinites.
Yet, despite this widespread support, partisan divisions have stalled progress on critical conservation efforts. We’re all familiar with how anonymous objections were used to block Knowles-Nelson investments. The state’s Fish and Wildlife account, which funds critical habitat work around the state, has been severely underfunded and now faces a deficit. And the DNR has been without a secretary for more than a year. None of this is necessary.
A new legislative session will be an opportunity to turn the page and work together for Wisconsin’s land, water, and wildlife. With 30 new legislators heading to the Capitol in January, and many legislators representing new areas, now is the time to build a stronger future for Wisconsin’s land, water, and way of life. It’s time to act.
As federal conservation policy faces growing threats and uncertainty from an administration poised to roll back environmental progress and protections, Wisconsin must avoid falling into the same trap. Our legislators can demonstrate that bipartisan solutions can be achieved and that we can craft a state budget that reflects the priorities of voters.
It will take all of us speaking up, supporting good solutions and calling out poor ones. Every legislator – new and returning – needs to understand why protecting Wisconsin’s natural heritage matters to their communities and constituents. Let’s get to work!
BUILDING GRASSROOTS SUPPORT ACROSS WISCONSIN
On October 15, we spoke to the Fitchburg-Verona Horizons Rotary Club about how Knowles-Nelson investments boost local economies through tourism and recreation while enhancing quality of life. Just a few days later, on October 17, we presented to Wisconsin Lake Leaders Institute participants, discussing the importance of civic engagement and building effective grassroots networks for conservation advocacy.
At the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Fall Conference on October 23, we connected with city and town officials who were eager to share how Knowles-Nelson has helped stretch their local budgets and shape the identities of their communities. Our conversations introduced us to new advocates and gave us a platform to spotlight Knowles-Nelson’s benefit beyond the scope of local government.
To cap off the month, on October 29, we joined the team at Groundswell Conservancy to celebrate the protection of the Bjugstad Farm Conservation Easement in Rock County. Senator Mark Spreitzer (SD 15) was in attendance and used the occasion to praise Knowles-Nelson’s ability to forge innovative partnerships that conserve both working agricultural lands and popular public recreation areas for generations to come.
Coming Up
The Chippewa Valley Ruffed Grouse Society is hosting the 13th Annual Banff Mountain Film Festival on December 2-3, 2024, at Eau Claire’s Pablo Center. This two-night celebration of outdoor adventure and environmental stewardship is expected to draw over 1,200 attendees. The festival fosters a deeper connection to the natural world and aims to inspire a new generation of advocates to take action in its protection.
Stop by our table to learn about the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and how it has helped preserve Wisconsin’s land, water, wildlife, and way of life. Discover ways you can support the program’s reauthorization, sign up for Lobby Day, pick up a few stickers & resources, or simply say hello.
Learn more and buy tickets here.
THE ROAD AHEAD: A REVIEW OF THE STATE BUDGET TIMELINE
The future of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program depends on the 2025 state budget. Here’s a reminder of key events to watch for:
Agency Budget Requests: Completed
State agencies have submitted their budget requests, outlining their funding needs.
Governor’s Executive Budget: In Progress
The governor’s team is now crafting the budget to reflect key priorities and funding proposals.
Governor’s budget address and release of executive budget: February 2025
The governor will present the budget to the public and legislature, outlining funding allocations and major initiatives.
Joint Finance Committee budget hearings and drafting: March – May 2025
The committee will hold hearings to gather public input and review budget proposals, starting the drafting process.
Legislative floor debate: May 2025
The budget will be debated in the legislature, primarily to discuss the committee’s recommendations.
Budget Signed!: May – June 2025
Once approved by the legislature, the final budget will go to the governor for signature, securing the future of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program
Featured image by Connor Betts, 2016
