I hope you’re doing well and finding time outdoors as the fall colors start to show. With National Public Lands Day coming up on September 27th, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the places Knowles-Nelson has helped protect and take action to ensure the Stewardship Program remains strong for future generations of Wisconsinites.
This week, we’ve got practical tools to make your voice heard, plus stories from the field that show what’s possible when we act. Thanks for being part of this community—your advocacy is what makes Wisconsin’s conservation legacy strong. Here are three ways to champion Knowles-Nelson:
✔️ Write a Letter to the Editor
Letters to the editor are one of the most effective ways to keep the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program in the public eye. They spark community conversations, ensure Stewardship stays part of the news cycle, and show lawmakers at every level that their constituents are paying attention.
And writing one is easier than you might think! We’ve created an LTE Resource Guide with templates, sample paragraphs, and submission tips to help you get started. You don’t have to be a policy expert or professional writer—your authentic voice and personal experience are exactly what editors and readers want to see. If you’re unsure where to submit your letter, reach out and we’ll help you connect with the right local paper.
Even a short letter about why public lands, trails, or clean water matter to you can send a powerful message. Added together, these voices create a steady chorus of support that makes it clear the Stewardship Program is a priority across Wisconsin.
✔️ Snap a Photo of a Knowles-Nelson Sign
The Knowles-Nelson signs you see at trailheads, lakes, local parks, and in every corner of the state mark places that have been protected through the Stewardship Program. This fall, we invite you to help show off those places by participating in our Snap the Sign photo challenge on social media.
Getting the deer stand ready? Out for a paddle? Walking your dog at your local park? Keep your eyes peeled for a Knowles-Nelson sign. When you spot one, snap a picture — better yet, make it a selfie. After all, it’s the the places AND the people that make the Stewardship Program so powerful.
Post your photo to Facebook or Instagram with #KnowlesNelson. Tag us (and tag your legislators), and we’ll enter you into a monthly drawing for Knowles-Nelson swag. It’s an easy way to celebrate our favorite protected places and bring visibility to how many communities the Stewardship Program touches.
✔️ Contact Your Representatives
We ask you to contact your legislators regularly, and there’s a good reason for that — your voices makes a difference. Even if you’ve already reached out about the Stewardship Program, send another message or ask a friend to get involved.
Legislators on both sides tell us that Knowles-Nelson is one of the issues they’re hearing about most from constituents, and it’s one of the few areas where there’s real willingness to work across party lines. That’s why we need to keep the pressure on. Your continued contact shows legislators that you’re paying attention and you want this to happen—and you’ll keep advocating for it until it gets done.
WATCH: Fall Policy Update Webinar
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our last week’s policy update webinar. We walked through the two current reauthorization proposals and their key differences, identified key players in the legislature, and had a great discussion about what to expect as the process moves forward.
If you missed it, the full recording is available to watch. It’s a great way to stay up to speed on what’s happening with Knowles-Nelson as legislative discussions continue.
Field Report
This week, we partnered with the Natural Resources Foundation and The Conservation Fund to lead a field trip through the Pelican River Forest. Participants toured the property, learned about the campaign to secure its permanent protection, and saw firsthand how The Conservation Fund sustainably manages more than 70,000 acres of working forestland.
It was a terrific way to showcase the forest’s ecological and community value—from clean water and wildlife habitat to outdoor recreation and economic benefit. While the Pelican River Forest was ultimately protected, it serves as a powerful reminder of what’s at stake when conservation funding isn’t guaranteed. Not every special place will get a second chance.
Left: Field trip participants on the trail. Right: The Conservation Fund’s David Grusznski, Brian Schneider, and Clint Miller with Charles Carlin from Gathering Waters.
District Deep Dive
Senate District 17 Wisconsin’s Driftless Area
Southwest Wisconsin’s Senate District 17 sits at the heart of the Driftless Area. With 866 grants totaling over $70.7 million, Knowles-Nelson has protected nearly 35,000 acres across this stunning region of rolling hills, prairies, and river valleys.
The Prairie Enthusiasts have restored native prairies and oak savannas, including work at the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area. Mississippi Valley Conservancy has protected river blufflands along the Kickapoo and Mississippi, including the Kickapoo Caverns and habitat for rare species like Prairie Bush Clover. Driftless Area Land Conservancy has secured grassland conservation easements and protected over a mile of the Pecatonica River. The City of Prairie du Chien has upgraded parks with fishing piers and trails, while Grant County has improved boat launches throughout the area.
Featured image from Annie Currie, 2025
