Wisconsin Candidates Pledged to Revive Conservation Program
Both candidates committed to restoring the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program after its June 2026 expiration.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in National Parks
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Both Wisconsin gubernatorial candidates have promised to revive the state's Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program. The long-standing land conservation initiative, which funds projects like trails and boat ramps, expired in June 2026.
Why it matters
The program lapsed after Republicans removed funding from the 2025-2027 state budget following a 2024 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling on land purchase oversight. Restoring the program remains a central issue for land management and environmental infrastructure.
The expired program historically supported massive tracts of land, including the 70,000-acre Pelican River Forest and the 64,000-acre Wild Rivers Legacy Forest. Currently, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley oversees 150 parks without the program's grant support.
The players
Tony Evers
Tony Evers is the Governor of Wisconsin who requested $1 billion over 10 years to reauthorize the state's conservation funding.
David Crowley
David Crowley is the Milwaukee County Executive who currently manages a portfolio of 150 local parks.
Tom Tiffany
Tom Tiffany is a politician who served in the Wisconsin state Assembly from 2011 to 2013 and the state Senate from 2013 to 2020.
The details
The program utilizes state-issued bonds to finance land conservation, easements, and public facility enhancements such as bridges and boat ramps. Politicians addressed the future of the initiative during a Wisconsin Counties Association event in Lake Delton.
Timeline
The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program began operations in 1989.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a ruling regarding the program's objection process in 2024.
The land conservation program officially expired at the end of June 2026.
Candidates discussed the program at an event on September 22, 2026.
Travel Outlook
The debate over the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program mirrors broader regional struggles to balance state-level environmental land management with legislative budget constraints. Future funding for public access areas like the Pelican River Forest depends on these state-level policy decisions.
The expiration of this program may lead to delays or funding shortages for local park infrastructure improvements like bridge repairs and boat ramp maintenance. Residents should track state budget developments to understand potential impacts on their local outdoor recreation opportunities.
The takeaway
Effective state-level land conservation depends on reliable funding mechanisms that withstand shifts in legislative priorities. Maintaining public access to large forest tracts like the Wild Rivers Legacy Forest requires consistent financial support from state bond programs.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's conservation efforts and public land access on the Wisconsin National Parks page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Marshfield News-Herald.
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Should your state government prioritize maintaining existing public lands over purchasing new land for conservation?
