Wisconsin Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Supporter,
For more than 30 years, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program (KNSP) has increased public land access on more than 750,000 acres in all 72 Wisconsin counties. Over this time, KNSP has provided funding to Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever for 29 land acquisition projects covering 5,510 acres which expanded hunting opportunities in priority landscapes across The Badger State.
Unfortunately, KNSP is only authorized through June 2026. Meaning we’ll have to work with legislators to ensure renewed funding for the program is included in the 2025-2027 biennial state budget, which will go into effect July 1. We’re asking them to reauthorize the program and consider expanding the program to include habitat enhancement projects on public lands.
Now is the time to share your support for the critical role KNSP plays in Wisconsin’s outdoor heritage and public lands. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are rallying upland enthusiasts to voice their support for reauthorization and full funding of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program for the next 10 years!
Talking Points for KNSP Reauthorization:
Dear [state legislator name],
As a hunter and one of your constituents, I’m asking you to support dedicated conservation funding in Wisconsin through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
Wisconsin is fortunate to have a rich sporting heritage, and this dedicated conservation funding has allowed our heritage to continue to thrive by providing better opportunities for our state’s hunters, anglers, and trappers.
Unfortunately, KNSP is only authorized through June 2026. Meaning funding for the program needs to be included in the 2025-2027 biennial state budget, which will go into effect July 1. Sportsmen and women are looking to the legislature to reauthorize the program and consider expanding the program to include habitat enhancement projects on public lands.
The state’s outdoor recreation economy would take a hit without KNSP. In 2023, outdoor activities contributed $11.2 billion to the state’s gross domestic product, and in 2022, 660,000+ Wisconsin hunters alone spent more than $1.3 billion on hunting-related purchases, generating more than $61 million in state and local tax revenue and supporting more than 11,000 jobs.
I hope you will stand with Wisconsin’s hunters and support reauthorization and full funding of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
TAKE ACTION:
Thank you for your support of public lands and wildlife in Wisconsin!
For questions about the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, contact Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Wisconsin state coordinator, Marty Moses at MMoses@pheasantsforever.org.