Wisconsin Democratic Lawmakers Introduce Bill Reauthorizing Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program
Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 -- 9:00 AM
(Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio) Wisconsin Democratic lawmakers are introducing a bill to reauthorize the state’s land purchase program at $72 million annually over the next six years and create a board to oversee spending on conservation projects.
According to Danielle Kaeding with Wisconsin Public Radio, State Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin, D-Whitefish Bay, and Rep. Vincent Miresse, D-Stevens Point, announced the measure Tuesday at a press conference in Madison.
The proposal comes as funding for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is set to expire next year. It’s currently funded at $33.25 million annually. Republican lawmakers did not reauthorize the program that preserves public lands and expands outdoor recreational opportunities in the current two-year state budget, which was signed into law by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in early July.
Republican leaders have said the program is in jeopardy after they lost a legal battle with Evers over blocked funding for conservation projects. Even so, GOP lawmakers have put forth a bill to continue the program.
Habush Sinykin said that while well-intentioned, the GOP proposal is “unworkable” because it would require legislative approval for land purchases to move forward.
Instead, Democrats are proposing to create a 17-member board that would advise the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on spending stewardship funds.
That board would “provide the oversight needed, but in a timely, transparent way and without the time-consuming and oftentimes partisan gridlock of the Legislature,” Habush Sinykin said.
In June, Rep. Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc, and Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, put forth legislation to reauthorize the stewardship program at reduced funding levels of $28.25 million annually.
The GOP proposal would create a new program for major land purchases that would require legislative approval for projects exceeding more than $1 million.
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