MADISON, WI – Yesterday, Senate Democrats held a press conference marking the end of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program, illustrating Republicans’ refusal to come to the table to extend the beloved conservation program. Democratic Leader Dianne Hesselbein, Senator Sarah Keyeski, and Representative Jenna Jacobson addressed the long-term impacts on Wisconsin’s outdoor culture and industry, underscoring the significance of a Democratic trifecta to Wisconsinites’ desire to see the program continue.

Read More on Senate Democrats’ Efforts to Protect Knowles-Nelson and the Harm Behind its Expiration:

WMTV 15: Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funding ends after 30 years

  • “The fund has received bipartisan support for more than 30 years. It has helped protect more than 750,000 acres of land statewide, and 99% of Wisconsinites live within five miles of a Stewardship investment.”
  • “State Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein said the Republican-controlled legislature caused the program’s end after negotiations fell through earlier this year.”
  • “‘Every time they came back to the table to say what they were interested in, their ideas just got worse and worse,’ she said.”

Chanel 3000: Democrats criticize Republicans over Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program expiration

  • “Democrats said the decades-old land conservation effort has protected parks, trails and shorelines across Wisconsin. They warned that its lapse could threaten public lands and local tourism economies that rely on outdoor recreation.”
  • “‘Senate Democrats have put forward deal after deal to extend the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, but a deal cannot be made when we are negotiating with a party that seems dead set on either gutting it or killing it,’ state Sen. Sarah Keyeski, a Democrat, said.”
  • “Democrats said that if voters deliver a Democratic majority in November, they will move to restore the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and create a new governing board to fast-track land conservation deals even when the Legislature is not in session.”

Oshkosh Northwestern: With an eye on midterms, Democrats mark the demise of Knowles-Nelson

  • “‘As Wisconsin’s well-known land conservation program reached its final day, Democrats gathered to blast Republicans for their role in letting the program’s funding run out. As Wisconsin’s well-known land conservation program reached its final day, Democrats gathered to blast Republicans for their role in letting the program’s funding run out.’”
  • “’This has been going well for decades. It has worked well all over the state of Wisconsin, and today, because of Republicans and their failure to lead and to negotiate, it comes to an end,’ Hesselbein said at a news conference.”
  • “Now, a lot of people are asking why, and the answer is, I don’t know. I don’t know what Republicans have against beautiful places in the state of Wisconsin.”

WBAY 2: Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program set to expire June 30

WKOW 27: Knowles-Nelson conservation program expires

  • ​​“’Wisconsin’s culture of family camping trips, hunting, fishing traditions, hiking trails, local tourism economies are all tied to the success of the Knowles Nelson, and will, without question, be harmed by its absence,’ said Jenna Jacobson, (D -Oregon).”
  • “Democrats pledge to restore the program if they gain a majority in November. Republicans did put forward a proposal on Knowles Nelson, which passed without Democratic support in the Assembly but did not get a vote in the Senate.”

Spectrum News 1: Wisconsin’s state conservation funding program ends

  • “At Governor Knowles State Forest in Grantsburg, Charly Ray, a 25th District State Senate candidate, discussed some of the immediate impacts that would be felt following the program’s expiration. He said that funding for fish hatcheries is crucial for sustaining the Northwoods’ economy, which relies on hunting and fishing.”
  • “‘I know Governor Knowles would be furious to see what his Republican Party has become. Republicans are standing between Wisconsin voters and the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program, a program that 93% of people in the state approve of,’ Ray said in a release.”

CBS 58: Conservation projects face uncertainty after Knowles-Nelson program expires

  • “The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has been around since 1989. It has helped preserve and protect land across Wisconsin. Due to a lack of action by the state Legislature, the program is now expiring.”
  • “That comes despite a bipartisan poll conducted last year showing that 93% of Wisconsinites supported funding the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.”
  • “’Throughout the months we have tried negotiating and advocating for Knowles-Nelson but Republicans have made in crystal clear time and time again they do not want to see this program extended,’ State Sen. Dianne Hesselbein (D), Senate Minority Leader, said.”
  • “Democrats say if they gain a trifecta, they will make it a priority to fund the program again. They also say they would like to create a separate board to approve land acquisitions outside of the Joint Finance Committee, which is currently tasked with approving projects and land acquisitions.”

Northern News Now: Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funding ends after 30 years

  • “Without Knowles-Nelson, the state loses a tool for acquiring new public lands and maintaining trails, campgrounds, boat launches and other public amenities.”
  • “‘They have made it impossible for the state to preserve more of our landscape, giving developers free rein,’ Hesselbein said.”

WSAW: Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funding ends after 30 years

  • “State Sen. Sarah Keyeski, D-Lodi, said the loss will affect future generations.”
  • “‘A deal cannot be made when we are negotiating with a party that seems dead set on either gutting it or killing it,’ Keyeski said.”

Wisconsin Examiner: Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program dead at 37

  • “The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant program, established in 1989 to help Wisconsin obtain and maintain its natural areas expired Tuesday. Cause of death, according to advocates, was legislative obstinance.”
  • “‘Every single community has a boat launch, or a playground, or a neighborhood park, or a bike path that was funded with Knowles Nelson dollars,’ said Charles Carlin, the director of strategic initiatives for Gathering Waters, an alliance of 40 land trusts around Wisconsin.  
  • “‘So, the state just looks a lot different than it would if we didn’t have Knowles Nelson, and we all have more opportunities to get outside and enjoy all these places that make Wisconsin special than we would have without the program.’”
  • “Senate Minority Leader Diane Hesselbein (D-Middleton) said at an event Tuesday morning at Governor Gaylord Nelson State Park in Waunakee that with trifecta control of government, Democrats would bring the program back.”
  • “They have decided to disregard the will of the residents, and no wonder why the Republican party is losing so much at the polls. The expiration of this program today is just another example of Republican failures, but my message to Wisconsin is very simple: Vote for Democrats in November, and we promise, especially with the Democratic trifecta, we will bring the Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program back in full force, so people can enjoy nature regardless of their zip code, every single place in the state of Wisconsin.”
  • “Habush Sinykin said that she’s working on ways to get a Knowles-Nelson bill through the Legislature no matter the result of the November elections.”
  • “‘And again, I would be certainly grateful to be able to work across the aisle and with legislators in my own party to come up with the Knowles Nelson reauthorization program that makes sense for Wisconsin. It contributes so much to our state and local economies and quality of life. It really is a wise investment.’”