Wisconsin NWTF Stands Up for Conservation at Capitol, Testifies in Support of Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program

NWTF Regional Director Tylor Flynn provided testimony on behalf of the organization, emphasizing the importance of continuing a program that has been foundational to conservation in Wisconsin for more than three decades. 

Established in 1989, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has invested more than $1 billion into conservation efforts across the state, helping acquire and conserve over 750,000 acres in all 72 Wisconsin counties. Today, nearly every Wisconsin resident lives within a mile or two of a project supported by the program — a powerful reflection of its lasting impact on communities, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation. 

For the NWTF and its members, the program’s benefits are tangible and long-lasting. Through partnerships across the state, the Wisconsin NWTF State Chapter has invested Super Fund dollars alongside the stewardship program to conserve critical wild turkey habitat and protect land from development. Notable projects include the Bald Bluff acquisition, expansion of the Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area and the acquisition of the Woodman Floodplain State Natural Area.  

“It was an honor and a privilege to be entrusted with speaking on behalf of the NWTF, its members and the public land users of our state,” Flynn said. “The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is vital to the continued expansion and improvement of public access in Wisconsin for all outdoor recreationists, and I remain hopeful that a path forward can be identified without allowing the program to sunset this year. As someone who personally uses lands acquired through the KNSP — and who looks forward to sharing those same lands with my two young sons in the years ahead — the loss of this program would be incredibly disheartening.” 

The stewardship program allows conservation organizations to partner with state and federal agencies, local governments and private landowners to deliver meaningful, on-the-ground conservation outcomes. NWTF and its partners have long leveraged stewardship investments alongside membership dollars to improve habitat, expand public access and support wildlife across the state. 

With the program set to sunset in 2026, the NWTF recognizes the importance of timely reauthorization to avoid gaps in funding that could stall conservation work statewide. 

“Sunsetting in 2026, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program needs to be reauthorized soon, or the program will not have any funding for at least the next biennium,” said Clayton Lenk, NWTF district biologist for Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. “Bringing the program back after years of no funding would be far more difficult than reauthorizing it now. This is a program supported by 93% of Wisconsin residents, and letting it fall to the wayside would be devastating for the entire state.” 

NWTF joined a broad coalition of conservation partners in testifying on behalf of Wisconsin’s outdoorsmen and women, highlighting the program’s proven track record and its role in ensuring healthy habitat and outdoor access for future generations. 

The reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is critical to the long-term health of Wisconsin’s ecosystems and wildlife. As more land is conserved and more habitats are restored, the program not only supports the future of the wild turkey but also ensures that Wisconsin’s outdoor traditions remain accessible to all. 

As discussions continue in the Wisconsin State Senate, the NWTF remains committed to advocating for practical, effective conservation solutions that reflect the values of its members and the needs of Wisconsin’s landscapes and beyond. 

About the National Wild Turkey Federation     

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the NWTF has also invested over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research that, when leveraged with partner contributions, has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to deliver healthy forests and wildlife habitats, clean and abundant water, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF is committed to creating a nation united by the life-changing power of the outdoors.