Fox Valley, WI – Today, the bipartisan Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program expired after 37 years of protecting and preserving state parks and establishing and maintaining local trails, bike paths, boat launches, and other public outdoor recreational facilities across Wisconsin.
“The value of this program cannot be overstated. It has impacted every single community in Wisconsin, and there are projects in every single county in the state. Fiscally, it’s estimated to have over a $2 billion impact annually, not to mention the benefits we all receive from having beautiful, well-maintained parks, trails, and more to enjoy. Legislative Democrats did everything we could to keep it alive, and I’m disappointed that those in power this session have allowed it to expire,” said Senator Dassler-Alfheim (D-Appleton).
The Governor’s 2025-27 budget proposal included re-authorization of the program for ten years at $100 million in funding per year, but that proposal was stripped from the budget by Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee. Senate Democrats offered an amendment that included the Governor’s proposal during the Senate floor session on July 2, 2025, but it was voted down on party lines and the final budget ultimately included no re-authorization or funding for the program.
In August, Legislative Democrats introduced SB 436, led by Senator Habush Sinykin (D-Whitefish Bay), which reauthorized the program for six years at $72 million a year. The bill would have created a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Board to meet at least quarterly, advise the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on all projects, and have approval authority for large land acquisition projects of $2.5 million or more. It was assigned to the Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage but never received a public hearing. During the final regular floor period of the 2025-26 session, Senate Democrats offered an amendment to reauthorize the program for one year with no changes. The amendment failed to pass on a party-line vote.
“The good news is the bones of the program are still in state statute, and I look forward to working with leadership next session to renew it so that our communities are able to appreciate Wisconsin’s stunning natural resources for generations to come,” concluded the Senator.
