Madison, Wis. – Today, Representative Ann Roe (D–Janesville) cosponsored with her Democratic colleagues legislation to reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has long served as Wisconsin’s primary source of funding for conservation and preservation efforts.
During negotiations on the 2025–2027 State Budget, Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee removed Governor Evers’ proposal to reauthorize the program, despite its long history of bipartisan support, strong public backing, and proven success.
Today’s introduced legislation would improve community and professional input on conservation efforts and dedicate $72 million over six years to continue protecting natural areas, ensuring access to public lands, and improving green spaces.
A 2025 poll found that 93% of Wisconsinites support renewing Knowles-Nelson, and today 90% of Wisconsin households live within one mile of a Stewardship-funded project.
“I give enormous credit to the incredibly well coordinated campaign in support of the Knowles-Nelson Program from across the state. Thousands of volunteer hours, hundreds of postcards, and continuous constituent outreach has pushed this issue to the forefront,” Rep. Roe stated in an interview on WCLO today.
The program will lapse in July of 2026 if not renewed, which could cause immense damage to tourism, Wisconsin’s economy, clean water initiatives, updates to green spaces, and environmental protection.
“The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program embodies what I believe in – doing the most good for the most people with the resources we have. Look at the numbers, Knowles-Nelson has helped fund 23 projects within the 44th Assembly District with a total investment of over two million dollars.”
“I hope the Assembly majority listens to Wisconsinites and takes up this bill. It’s an easy yes vote,” Roe said.
In Rock County, the program has funded 82 projects, and a total investment of $10,878,664.
