Team Knowles Nelson

06/22/2026

The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program will expire June 30 because Republican and Democratic lawmakers couldn't agree on the terms of reauthorizing it.

06/16/2026

Last week, we joined State Senator Mark Spreitzer at Fair Meadows Sanctuary, a stunning Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance property with decades of active habitat restoration behind it.

We heard from sanctuary managers and former landowners Penny and Gary Shackelford, land steward Chris Kaplan, and SoWBA Executive Director Matt Reetz about what it takes to protect and restore a place like this... and how the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program makes it possible.

Thank you, Sen. Spreitzer, for making time to see this work firsthand and for your commitment to making Knowles Nelson a Day 1 priority next session!

06/09/2026

Recently, Gathering Waters was honored to accept a Passenger Pigeon Award from the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology - WSO at their annual convention, recognizing our advocacy work to reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.

WSO has championed bird conservation in Wisconsin since 1939, and this recognition means a great deal to our team. Protecting land protects birds, wildlife, and the places we all love!

Thank you, WSO. Onward!

05/13/2026

Less than two months remain until the expiration of Wisconsin's Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant program, risking land conservation efforts.

05/13/2026

This week, Governor Evers and Republican legislative leadership announced a deal on outstanding priorities. Knowles-Nelson reauthorization is not a part of it.

We're disappointed. We know you are too. The Stewardship Program has waited long enough, but we're in this for the long haul.

🔗 Read more in our latest Team Knowles Nelson Update: https://knowlesnelson.org/knowles-nelson-update-may-12/

05/07/2026

What does it *actually* look like when Knowles-Nelson disappears?

The Capital Times shares how conservation groups across Wisconsin are already preparing for delayed projects, stalled land protection efforts, and fewer opportunities to conserve public land if the program expires in June.

For decades, Knowles Nelson has been one of the most reliable sources of state funding for conservation. Without it, future opportunities to protect land could be gone for good.

The state’s popular land stewardship program runs out of funding June 30. Some worry more Wisconsin natural areas will be bulldozed.

05/07/2026

04/30/2026

04/28/2026

Last week, we got out hiking at Tower Hill State Park with Governor Tony Evers during Earth Week, joined by partners from The Prairie Enthusiasts, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, and Driftless Area Land Conservancy. We were grateful to stand alongside people across Wisconsin working to conserve the lands and waters we all depend on—today and for generations to come.

It's worth remembering: Ga***rd Nelson, the Wisconsin governor whose name is on the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, founded Earth Day in 1970 because he believed protecting land and water was a Wisconsin value, not a partisan one. More than 50 years later, that's still what we're fighting for. 🌎💚

04/27/2026

Thank you to Groundswell Conservancy for inviting us to celebrate a banner year of conservation and for letting us share a Knowles Nelson update with your community. Grateful for legislators like Rep. Renuka Mayadev who keep showing up for Wisconsin's land and water! 🌲🌊