MADISON, WI-—Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts announces that a $50,000 grant from Madison Community Foundation (MCF) is supporting a statewide advocacy campaign for the long-term reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, Wisconsin’s flagship environmental conservation program.
The grant is supporting a comprehensive, strategic advocacy campaign to renew funding for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. This effort includes the first-ever Knowles-Nelson Lobby Day, in-person visits and land tours with legislators in their home districts, a statewide postcard drive, and digital tools that allow citizens to easily contact their elected officials. MCF’s support has also helped expand community outreach and create educational resources that showcase the program’s impact in communities across Wisconsin.
“The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is essential for protecting Wisconsin’s land, water, and wildlife for future generations,” said Mike Carlson, executive director of Gathering Waters. “This program helps communities create parks, trails, and natural areas that contribute to our quality of life and outdoor heritage. Without strong funding, we risk losing irreplaceable natural resources and recreational opportunities that benefit all Wisconsinites.”
The first-ever Knowles-Nelson Lobby Day, held on March 12, 2025, brought together conservation advocates from across Wisconsin. Representatives from more than 70 organizations—from hunters and farmers to local businesses and trail groups—held 96 meetings with legislators, sharing stories of how the Stewardship Program benefits their communities.
“It was incredible to see people from every walk of life and political perspective coming together for Wisconsin’s outdoors,” said Carlson. “MCF’s support gave us the capacity to organize an in-person advocacy event of this scale for the first time and bring over 170 passionate individuals to the Capitol to make their voices heard. Finding that common ground is exactly what will help the Stewardship Program move forward, because protecting our natural places isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a Wisconsin value.”
The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program provides matching grants to land trusts, communities, and other conservation organizations across the state. Over the past 35 years, Stewardship grants have provided more than $76 million to support projects in the Madison area and have funded the protection of 750,000 acres of conservation land across Wisconsin. Funds have been used to protect forests, wetlands, and prairies. In addition, they have helped build and maintain community parks, trails, boat landings, and campgrounds.
“Madison Community Foundation is pleased to support Gathering Waters’ advocacy efforts to secure state funding for land and water protection,” said Angela Davis, Director of Grantmaking at Madison Community Foundation. “The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program helps communities across Wisconsin provide people with access to recreational spaces and protect our natural resources for generations to come.”
Madison Community Foundation’s competitive grantmaking program invests more than $1million each year in environmental conservation, community development, and other initiatives. For more information, visit www.madisongives.org.
Gathering Waters is Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts, helping communities protect the places that make Wisconsin special. For more information, visit gatheringwaters.org.For more information about the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, visit knowlesnelson.org.
