Summary
The Wisconsin Examiner covered Groundswell's efforts to protect the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, the state's premier program supporting land conservation.
On Wednesday, Groundswell Conservation Director Tony Abate spoke at the State Capitol in support of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program — Wisconsin’s most important land conservation tool. Speaking up to protect the state’s longtime land conservation program is crucial because it provides funding to protect natural areas, wildlife habitat, farmland, and recreational spaces across the state. For more than 35 years, it has helped Groundswell permanently protect 75 properties and more than 6,000 acres.
Tony spoke before the Assembly Committee on Forestry, Parks, and Outdoor Recreation. The committee is considering a bill that would extend Knowles-Nelson funding for four more years. During his testimony, Tony raised concerns about parts of the bill that could delay or block important conservation projects.
The Wisconsin Examiner covered the hearing and quoted Tony in its article.
“Opportunities to provide such access sometimes only come once in a generation,” Tony said. “We are concerned with the funding threshold and the logistics of the proposed major land acquisition program. Real estate near population centers is expensive, and we often compete with non-conservation buyers to secure farmland or recreational lands.”
Groundswell believes Wisconsin must keep the Knowles-Nelson program strong and flexible. Without it, we risk losing once-in-a-lifetime chances to protect the lands we love. That’s why we’re calling on our supporters to contact their legislators now. Taking just a minute to send an email in support of Knowles-Nelson could preserve the dollars needed for this important program. Without renewed funding, many conservation projects would stall or even unwind.