What Is The State Stewardship Fund?

The State Stewardship Fund was created in 1989 to protect and restore critical wildlife and fish habitat, preserve high quality natural areas, improve water quality and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation.  The Legislature authorizes general bonding to fund acquisition of land to expand recreational opportunities and protect environmentally sensitive areas.  Local units of government, the Department of Natural Resources and local non-profit conservation organizations are eligible to receive grants for these purposes.

Since the program's creation, the Stewardship Fund has purchased about 130,000 of land for public protection and use.  Among the major purchases by the Stewardship Fund are the 23,600 acre Turtle Flambeau Flowage in Iron County, the 8720 acre Willow Flowage in Oneida County (which also includes with matching appropriations the purchase of 106 islands and 64 miles of shoreline), 1485 acres of land in Lincoln County for the Bill Cross Rapids State Recreation Area, and 1040 acres located in the Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area.

The Stewardship Fund has also been used to improve land and facilities at existing state resources, such as the Horicon Marsh and the Cox Meadows Wildlife Area in Burnett County.  And the program has been used to improve local parks, like Snyder Park in Clark County and Mary Park in the city of New Richmond.

Along the lower Wisconsin River, program funds have purchased such treasures as the 525 acre Blackhawk Ridge Recreation Area near Sauk City which includes historic Indian mounds, cross-country ski trails, horse riding trails, and a log cabin available for public meetings.  In urban areas, Stewardship funds have helped such communities as Beloit and Darlington purchase river frontage for parks, open spaces and links to existing trails.

Habitat restoration is another goal of the Stewardship Fund.  One project, in Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac and Winnebago Counties, is restoring 11,000 acres of drained wetlands and 38,000 acres of grasslands within the 530,000 acre Glacial Habitat Restoration Area.  The Stewardship Fund is used for many other important activities in Wisconsin, including stream bank preservation, urban green spaces, and trail development.
 

Where Can I Get More Detailed Information?

The Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau has prepared a 19 page report which examines the history, expenditures, acquistions, and accomplishments of the Stewardship Fund.  The report can be accessed by clicking here.  You will need Acrobat Reader to view the report which can be freely downloaded here.
 

What Can I Do?

One of the most effective ways to persuade legislators and the public to reauthorize the State Stewardship Fund is by writing a personal letter of support directly to your elected representative and also to the Editor of your local newspaper.

Here are a few examples:
 

Dear Editor:

My family and I have enjoyed many weekends camping  at Kohler-Andre State Park.  We have also had the luxury of spending wonderful sunny days together on the paved bicycle trail west of Sheboygan.  As residents of Sheboygan county, we have seen great improvements in the outdoor recreational facilities and opportunities in the last ten years.

These expansions and improvements have been financially supported through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.  This stewardship fund was created in 1989 to protect and restore critical wildlife and fish habitat, preserve high quality natural areas, improve water quality and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation.  The effects of the stewardship program are apparent throughout Wisconsin.  Sheboygan County has been granted over $760,000 since 1989 to achieve these goals.

The original program is scheduled to end in the fiscal year 1999-2000.  The future of this beneficial program will soon be determined by the Wisconsin State Legislature.  I'm telling my State Legislators that the stewardship needs to be continued at $60 million each year, adjusted for inflation, for the next decade.

Dear Editor:

 I have experienced the vast benefits of the expansion of the Kettle Moraine State Forest.  Not only do I enjoy horseback rides and relaxing walks throughout the forest, my business has seen the benefits as well.  Every year, hundreds urban families travel to the Kettle Moraine to enjoy quiet weekend-get-aways, also spending money at our local businesses, including my restaurant.

The funding for Kettle Moraine State Forest expansion has been provided by the  Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.  This fund provides bonding for the acquisition of land to expand recreational opportunities and protect environmentally sensitive areas.  This program has also improved our local economy.

We have experienced the benefits not only aesthetically, but also financially.  Future improvements are in jeopardy because the program is expiring this year.  I'm asking my State Legislators to extend this program,
giving $60 million a year to expansions.

Dear Editor:

I have been an avid bird watcher for over fifty years.  My husband and I have spent many days ------------------------- (I know nothing about bird watching - add your details).  In the past decades, we have grown to a family of three generations of bird watchers.  Every autumn, our family loves to go to the Horicon Marsh to watch the geese fly south.

The facilities at the Horicon Marsh Park have been maintained for the past ten years through a state stewardship program.  The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is committed to protecting and restoring
critical wildlife habitat, preserving natural areas, and expanding outdoor recreation opportunities.  Unfortunately, this program expires in 1999.

Our state legislature will soon be determining the fate of the program, and I am asking my State Legislators to continue to provide $60 million a year and continue Wisconsin's dedication to our natural resources.

Dear Editor:

As a Wisconsin native, my family has camped in over 30 state parks in the past 14 years.  Over the years, we have noticed many excellent changes in the facilities at the parks throughout the state.  There have been additions of visitor centers, improvements of trails, and expansionary land acquisitions just to name a few.

These statewide improvements have been provided through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.  This program was created in 1989 and is dedicated to funding land acquisitions to expand recreation opportunities and protect environmentally sensitive areas over a ten year period.   The program is ending in the 1999-2000 fiscal year and it is up to the State Legislature to continue the program.

Wisconsin has a tradition of dedication to the protection and preservation of its natural resources.  The maintenance of the existing facilities as well as improvements is dependent of the continuation of this program.   Demand that the State Legislature continue the funding at $60 million annually!

 
These Wisconsin papers will also accept your letters for print publication if you want to email them your letter.
Click here to contact your elected officials by email.

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