MADISON, WI – An article published today in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel outlined the consequences of Wisconsin Republicans’ refusal to extend the popular Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Once a reliably bipartisan initiative, the program is now set to expire in June. State Senate Democrats have prioritized Knowles-Nelson and have worked to reach a compromise to keep the program alive. Despite these efforts, Senate Republicans declined to bring the bill to a vote and rejected an amendment that would have extended funding through 2026.

Read more on Senate Republicans’ failure to to fund the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program:  

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Senate inaction means Knowles-Nelson stewardship program likely ending

  • “The Wisconsin Senate failed to vote on reauthorizing the Knowles-Nelson land conservation program, which is set to expire in June.”
  • “The Senate failed to take up legislation addressing the state’s land conservation program, likely spelling the end of the popular Knowles-Nelson program after nearly four decades.”
  • “For years, Knowles-Nelson has enjoyed bipartisan support, but has become more politicized in recent years…”
  • “‘It was definitely surprising and disappointing,’ said Charles Carlin, director of strategic initiatives for the conservation advocacy group Gathering Waters. ‘(That) was certainly our best opportunity to go ahead and just get something done and get a compromise across the finish line.’”
  • “In an attempt to force a vote on the program, Sen. Jodi Haybush Sinykin, D-Whitefish Bay, attempted to attach a one-year extension to a bill outlining guidance for the Department of Natural Resources for selling land near egg farms to prevent the spread of the avian flu. Republicans promptly shut down the attempt.”
  • “Habush Sinykin said that by blocking Knowles-Nelson, Senate Republicans were not heeding their constituents.”
  • “‘As a new legislator, I had this expectation that legislators would be responsive to their constituents – not only in their own district, but around the state – and respond when they are being called upon to take actions that are top of mind for our citizenry,’ she said in an interview. ‘And Knowles-Nelson is definitely one of those issues.’”
  • “‘Knowles-Nelson is definitely a priority of the Democratic caucus, and it will be top of mind,’ she said. ‘Constituents are counting on us to get this done for them and their communities.’”
  • “The Republican-led Joint Finance Committee removed that proposal and declined to include the stewardship program in the budget at all, setting a timer on the program.”