Supporting Our Parks with the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program

For more than 30 years, Knowles-Nelson has helped keep Wisconsin’s outdoors open and protected. But time is running out for lawmakers to renew it. Without action, the program could expire before 2026.

What is Knowles-Nelson?

The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is a conservation program that protects our lakes and streams, conserves working forests, secures critical wildlife habitats, and provides countless opportunities for outdoor recreation both close to home and across Wisconsin.

The Knowles-Nelson program works behind the scenes to make it possible for conservation organizations and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to purchase land, build trails, and maintain our parks. The program started in 1989 and is up for renewal.

The program is named after two former Wisconsin governors — Warren Knowles, a Republican, and Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat. Knowles-Nelson honors Wisconsin’s bipartisan commitment to land and water protection.

Knowles-Nelson is asking legislators to reauthorize the program for 10 years and to restore funding that has been cut from the program over the last decade (Read more on Knowles-Nelson).

According to the Knowles-Nelson website, below are a few key highlights of the program impact:

• 650,000 Wisconsin Acres protected by Knowles-Nelson

• 1,500 grants to support local parks, trails, and campgrounds

• $11.00 annual cost per Wisconsin Resident

• 180,000 acres protected by non-profit land trusts

• $1.3 billion invested in Wisconsin’s land and water

• 99% of Wisconsinites live within 5 miles of a Knowles-Nelson project (see where Knowles-Nelson works in your community)

How Has Knowles-Nelson Impacted the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit?

Knowles-Nelson has had an impact both of the Ice Age Trail Communities that reside within the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit. Knowles-Nelson has invested $5,724,029 in Whitewater with 32 projects and over 650 acres protected. The program has invested $37,549,390 in Palmyra with 21 projects and over 2,400 acres protected.

Looking at the Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit, our friends group spent $348,079.54 with the state share adding another $291,362.75 for a total of $639,442.29 from 1997 to 2027.

A few of the projects included:

• Restoration of the Scuppernong Prairie

• Building Restoration of the 1890's Fieldstone Barn

• Forest improvement with the Ottawa Lake Concession Stand

• Museum exhibits at State Forest Headquarters

• Addition of Gift Shop at the State Forest Headquarters

• Building Restoration of the Emmerson Cabin

• Building Restoration of various buildings at Stute Springs (i.e., smokehouse, milk house, chicken house, etc.)

• Restoration of the Kettle Moraine Low Prairie

• Restoration of the Paintbrush Prairie

• Restoration of the Cliff Messenger Scuppernong Prairie

• Restoration of the Whitewater Watershed

• Restoration of the Springs & Savannas of North Scuppernong

• Ottawa Lake ADA Kayak Launch

  
  

How You Can Help

To help protect Wisconsin’s State Park, Forest, and Trails, you can help raise awareness of Knowles-Nelson, contact your legislators, encourage a business to join the sign-on letter, write to your local newspaper, subscribe to stay informed, encourage local government resolution, and check out the advocacy toolkit for more.

1. Help Raise Awareness of Knowles-Nelson

Most people don’t know about Knowles-Nelson as much of the work is done behind the scenes. Helping others become aware and take action helps the cause!  Knowles Nelson, the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks, and additional friends group throughout the state urge you to ask your legislators to take action and reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.

2. Contact Your Legislators

Message your legislators indicating your support (View legislative contact information).

The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks provides sample letters of support and additional resources (View FWSP Resources).

3. Businesses Can Join the Sign-On Letter

Businesses across the state are calling on legislators to renew Knowles-Nelson and continue investing in the places that make Wisconsin a great place to live and work—and we want you to be a part of it! Sign on: https://knowlesnelson.org/take-action/business-sign-on-letter/

4. Write a Letter to the Editor

Letters to the Editor is an effective way to show support for the program. By writing to your local paper and getting an article published, you are influencing public opinion, reaching decision-makers, and encouraging your neighbors to join the cause (View sample letters & guidance).

5. Subscribe to Stay Informed

Subscribe to your local friends group (subscribe to Friends of KMSFSU), the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks, or Knowles-Nelson to get a better understanding of everything that goes into caring for our parks!

6. Encourage a Local Government Resolution

Local government resolutions send a strong message to state legislators that the program is important to our communities (View sample resolutions).

7. Check out the Advocacy Toolkit

Knowles-Nelson makes it easy to participate in the campaign. There are countless resources available – impact sheets, sample templates, infographics, and more (https://knowlesnelson.org/toolkit/view resources)