ACTION NEEDED: Contact Your Senator on Knowles Nelson Reauthorization

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Thursday's assembly session passage of Assembly Bills 315 and 612 regarding the reauthorization of Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program caught the attention of many. The details of what the program would look like left many shocked with drastic reduction in funding, cutting land acquisition almost entirely, and leaving barely any wiggle room for grants to Friends' groups and Nonprofit Conservation Organizations.

 

The pair of bills are now moving to the State Senate for review, reading, and vote. This is the last effort to bring a cherished and workable stewardship program to take into the next state budget cycle.

 

It is important to contact your district Senator. Contact them via email and phone. Below, you will find a link to find your State Senator. You will find a call script to help you in talking to their office. It takes only one minute to say these meaningful words that our senators need to hear.

Find My State Senator
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We are also supplying you an email template that you can simply copy and paste. Find their email when searching for your representative above.


Subject: Opposition to Current A.B. 315 and A.B. 612 Bills

Text:

Dear Senator [LAST NAME],

My name is [YOUR NAME], and I am a constituent from [CITY/TOWN]. I am writing to express my strong opposition to the current version of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program reauthorization included in Assembly Bills 315 and 612 and strongly urge to seek a bipartisan compromise.

The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has long been one of Wisconsin’s most effective conservation tools, helping protect public lands, expand recreational access, and support local communities across the state. Unfortunately, the current pair of bills do not strengthen the program or preserve its original intent. It weakens land acquisition funding and limits the program’s ability to meet Wisconsin’s growing conservation and outdoor recreation needs.

As we approach the next state budget cycle, it is critical that Wisconsin maintains a Stewardship Program that is adequately funded and capable of delivering meaningful conservation, recreation, and community benefits. I urge you to work collectively to revise this legislation and restore it to protect the integrity of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.

Thank you for your time and for your service to our district. I hope you will stand with constituents who care deeply about protecting Wisconsin’s outdoor heritage.

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[STREET OR ZIP CODE]
[EMAIL ADDRESS]
[PHONE NUMBER]


This is the moment where voices need to strong and clear: What is presented ISN'T Knowles Nelson. We NEED to have both parties reflect what this program has been since 1989: A bipartisan program that understands that Wisconsin's lands are essential for all facets: health, jobs, tourism, local economies.

 

Please take two minutes out of your day to call and email your State Senator. It's when we stand united in our voices that progress can be made.

 

Thank you for being a friend to Wisconsin's natural resources.

 

Respectfully,

Seth Taft
Executive Director, Friends of Wisconsin State Parks
E: execdir@fwsp.org
P: (608) 294-0810
www.fwsp.org

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