The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Republican leaders are threatening not to reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program because the state Supreme Court ruled that the Legislature could no longer use an anonymous objection to halt or slow down Stewardship Program purchases. Both Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu suggested that Governor Evers’ lawsuit and the court’s ruling in the governor’s favor put the Stewardship Program in jeopardy.
Charles Carlin, Director of Strategic Initiatives for Gathering Waters, said that if the legislature does not reauthorize the program, it could mean the end of state money for conservation.
“If the Legislature doesn’t act, then we’re going to run out of money halfway through the next biennium,” Carlin said.
Pushing back against the stance of the Republican leaders, Carlin stated, “That’s a million miles away from what’s happening. We would love to work with legislative leaders and finance committee members to craft the next version of the Stewardship Program that really works for Wisconsin.”
The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has been popular with Wisconsin residents and most lawmakers for decades since it began in 1989. Stewardship funding has helped purchase thousands of acres of land for public access, recreation, and facility improvements throughout Wisconsin.
“Whenever you look at public polling on attitudes about conservation, taking care of our natural resources, outdoor recreation, there’s very little difference among the electorate in how they think about these issues and how they tend to vote, whether they vote Democrat or Republican,” Carlin explained. “Inside the Capitol, of course, it is another story.”
Governor Evers’ spokesperson, Britt Cudaback, responded to threats to dismantle the program, calling it “absurd” that lawmakers would end a decades-old conservation program simply because they must now follow constitutional rules.
If the program isn’t renewed, it could shape the 2026 elections – a reality already demonstrated in November 2023 when Sen. Duey Stroebel lost to Democrat Jodi Habush Sinykin. Stroebel’s opposition to funding the Cedar Gorge Clay Bluffs project, which had strong local support, played a key role in his defeat. As Carlin noted, this outcome sends a clear message about the importance Wisconsin voters place on conservation at the ballot box.
Featured image by weston m, 2020
