What you need to know about Knowles-Nelson Funding
In February, Governor Evers released his state budget proposal and it includes a 10-year reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, funded at $70 million per year.
This robust proposal is a clear indication of the governor's commitment to protecting Wisconsin's land and water.
A 10-year renewal of the Stewardship Program would provide land trusts and local governments with the certainty they need to execute strategic and targeted conservation projects, which often require years of planning. And $70 million per year would more than double the program's current funding, getting Wisconsin closer to the $86 million mark that we used to commit to Knowles-Nelson more than a decade ago.
This is just the start of the budget process. Our legislators need to hear from us! Use the link below to let legislators know that renewing the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is a top priority and that the Governor's proposal is the kind of robust, long-term funding that we want to see included in the final state budget.
What can you do to help?
1. Email your legislators and the governor in support of Knowles-Nelson. We've made it easy, so it only takes a few seconds to send a thank you note to Governor Evers and to encourage your state legislators to be Knowles-Nelson champions.
2. Create a personalized Knowles-Nelson postcard With a photo and a short message, share your personal story with your elected officials. Let them know why protecting Wisconsin's land and water is important to you.
3.Encourage friends to send a postcard and to learn all about the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program by sharing the website: KnowlesNelson.org.
For those of you interested in taking a deep dive into all the ways the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship fund has helped make Wisconsin a great place to live, Gathering Waters has compiled research on its impact.
Our elected officials are listening, so be sure to tell them how important the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is to Wisconsin's future!
