MADISON, WI – Today, Wisconsin Democrats announced the introduction of compromise legislation to reauthorize the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship Program. Wisconsin State Representative Deb Andraca (D – Whitefish Bay) released the following statement following the announcement:
“Governor Evers included a proposal to reauthorize Knowles-Nelson for 10 years in his budget proposal, but the Republican controlled Joint Finance Committee left Knowles-Nelson funding out of the state budget, leaving this bipartisan, popular program in peril. Funding will end in July 2026 unless the legislature takes action to restore funding in a meaningful way.
“This is why I am proud to support this legislation to reauthorize the program for six years by $72 million per year and reduce the impact that partisan politics has on stewardship decision-making through the creation of a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Board.
“While I appreciate the efforts by some of my Republican colleagues to introduce legislation to at least temporarily reauthorize Knowles-Nelson, their proposal severely undermines the intent and effectiveness of the program. I hope they are willing to come to the table to make sure Knowles-Nelson continues to benefit Wisconsinites for years to come by supporting this robust, yet middle-ground piece of legislation that we are introducing today.
“The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is a bipartisan success story in our efforts to conserve land, water, and wildlife for future generations. For 35 years, this vital program has provided public access and protection of sensitive environmental areas across Wisconsin through a wide range of conservation efforts, land acquisition, recreational facility development, and grants to local governments and nonprofits.
“Let’s take the politics out of protecting public lands by passing common-sense legislation that keeps Knowles-Nelson running strong for current and future generations of Wisconsinites.”
