MADISON, WI – Today, Democratic State Senate candidates, forester and small business owner Charly Ray (SD-25) and Representative Jenna Jacobson (SD-17), each held events at the Knowles and Nelson state parks—named for the bipartisan stewardship program.

At Governor Nelson State Park in Waunakee, Representative Jacobson, joined by Democratic Leader Dianne Hesselbein and Senator Sarah Keyeski, highlighted Senate Democrats’ efforts to save the beloved conservation program. Focusing on a bill supported by all 60 legislative Democrats to extend the program, which has been ignored by legislative Republicans. The legislators warned that sunsetting Knowles-Nelson will harm Wisconsin’s outdoor recreation industry, which generates over $11.2 billion for the state annually.

Watch the full press conference HERE.

Representative Jenna Jacobson on Republicans’ sunsetting of Knowles-Nelson:

“Wisconsin’s culture of family camping trips, hunting and fishing traditions, hiking trails, and local tourism economies are all tied to the success of Knowles-Nelson and will, without question, be harmed by its absence.

That’s why I’ve fought for legislation that protects our air, our water, and our public lands. From the Green Amendment to investments in watershed and pollination protections, we know that protecting Wisconsin’s natural beauty means protecting Wisconsinites.”

At Governor Knowles State Forrest in Grantsburg, Charly Ray, along with local hunting and fishing advocates, focused on the immediate impacts of the program’s expiration on Northern Wisconsin. Ray underscored the harm to outdoorsmen like himself. Noting that funding for fish hatcheries, like those that faced closure at Brule and Osceola, is crucial for stocking the wildlife that sustains the Northwoods cultural and economic hub, hunting, and fishing.

SD 25 Candidate Chary Ray on the impact of the Stewardship program:

“I am running for State Senate in the 25th District because I believe government should be making sound investments in our region – like preserving our land and water forever. In the past 15 years, our region has had the top three Counties using Knowles-Nelson. In total, we have made public 10,744 acres of land with an $8.3 million investment. In my home county of Bayfield, we leveraged these funds to acquire over two acres for every acre we bought with Knowles-Nelson help.

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.”