Funding for State Stewardship Program May Be in Jeopardy

Saturday, April 17th, 2021 -- 9:00 AM

(WBAY) Over the last 30 years, a state stewardship program has invested more than $1.2 billion in public land acquisition and nature-based infrastructure around the state.

More than 1,500 projects around the state have received grants from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program, founded in 1989 with a goal to preserve tracts of land for conservation and outdoor recreation.  Future funding could be in jeopardy.

After two decades of legislative renewal on a 10-year funding cycle of up to $70 million a year, the stewardship program was only extended for two years in the last budget, and some lawmakers are expressing concern about taxpayer dollars funding land and water conservation.

With lawmakers now debating the program’s future, and a decision on funding likely coming in the next month or so, those supporting Knowles-Nelson are urging citizens to call their elected officials.  They also point to the pandemic as just another reason the funding is critical.

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