Governor Evers has proposed a 10-year renewal of $70 million a year for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, one of the biggest sources of funding for major land and water conservation projects statewide. In turn, this work protects our wonderful birds and wildlife! Within about five miles of any given Important Bird Area (IBA) in WI, there are 3,500+ Knowles-Nelson projects protecting over 370,000 acres.
Pale purple coneflowers at Goose Pond Sanctuary.
Knowles-Nelson grants have directly supported the places you love at Madison Audubon too. This includes nearly HALF of the beautiful lands at Goose Pond and Faville Grove Sanctuaries which were purchased with the help of Knowles-Nelson. Native plants, wildlife, and people will benefit from these projects into perpetuity thanks to this program.
Its future is now up for debate in caucuses of the State Assembly and Senate. Once they reach a compromise, the Joint Finance Committee will meet in early June make a final decision. It's encouraging to see legislators speaking up for Stewardship, but we're going to need a lot more vocal support for the program to get across the finish line!
What can you do? Please call and email your legislators by June 3rd to let them know you SUPPORT Governor Evers proposal and urge them to champion a strong Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
Our voices have power! Together, we'll deliver our message loud and clear: Renew the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program for the next decade at $70 million dollars per year.
