Here is this week’s letter to the editor of the Sheboygan Press. See our letters policy below for details about how to share your views.
Champion long-term funding of Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program
The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is a cornerstone of Wisconsin’s bipartisan commitment to conservation and community development. For decades, it has protected our natural resources and fueled local economies by funding public land improvements and outdoor infrastructure.
Communities like Plymouth, Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Fond du Lac have benefited from the program through increased tourism, stronger property values and thriving small businesses.
The program’s priorities have shifted from acquiring new land to concentrating on the maintenance of aging state lands infrastructure, much of which was established in the 1930s and now requires urgent restoration.
Outdoor recreation generates more than $10 billion annually for Wisconsin’s economy, supporting both manufacturing and tourism. Yet, we underfund state lands, which has led to deteriorating facilities and limiting public access. Fortunately, many stewardship grants require a 50% local match, effectively doubling the impact of each dollar spent.
State Sen. Devin LeMahieu, as majority leader, holds considerable sway over the future of this program. Business and recreation leaders have met with him to highlight the Stewardship Program’s economic and lifestyle benefits. Despite numerous invitations, he hasn’t agreed to tour the Kettle Moraine Stewardship projects.
Public support for the program is overwhelming — 91% of voters favor continued funding. But without legislative renewal, the Stewardship Program will expire in 2026.
We urge Sen. LeMahieu to champion long-term funding for Knowles-Nelson. It’s a vital investment in Wisconsin’s economy, environment and way of life.
Michael McFadzen (Friends of the Kettle Moraine State Forest and member of the Senate District 9 Stewardship Team)
Plymouth
Our letters policy
Letters to the editor are published in the order in which they are received and letter-writers are limited to having one letter published per month. Letters can be emailed to news@sheboyganpress.com and Editor Brandon Reid at breid@gannett.com. Letters must meet specific guidelines, including being no more than 250 words and be from local authors or on topics of local interest. All submissions must include the name of the person who wrote the letter, their city of residence and a contact phone number. Letters are edited as needed for style, grammar, length, fairness, accuracy and libel.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan letter calls for long-term funding of Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program
Reporting by Sheboygan Press / Sheboygan Press
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