None The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin Press Releases Search All Press Releases Todd Holschbach (608) 577-3071 tholschbach@tnc.org Vicki Elkin (608) 441-8819 stewardship@gatheringwaters.org

The Nature Conservancy, Gathering Waters Praise Governor and Legislature for Agreement on Stewardship Fund

Bipartisan Measure Will Boost Protection of Wisconsin’s Land, Water and Wildlife

MADISON, Wisc. — November 8, 2007 — State land trusts applauded Governor Doyle and the Legislature  for coming to agreement on legislation that will reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund at $85 million a year through 2020, up from the current $60 million, calling the agreement a major bipartisan step forward in continuing to conserve the best of outdoor Wisconsin.

"We commend Governor Doyle and legislative leaders for recognizing the vital importance of investing in our nationally renowned forests, lakes and streams; conserving habitat while supporting our forestry, tourism and other industries," said Mary Jean Huston, state director of The Nature Conservancy.

“Future generations will look back and thank Governor Doyle and our legislative leaders for having the foresight to support and expand the Stewardship Fund,” said Vicki Elkin, Stewardship Campaign Director for Gathering Waters Conservancy. “We are in a tight race to protect Wisconsin’s last remaining wild places. The budget agreement reached will help ensure our success.”

The Stewardship Fund is a state program established in 1990 that protects natural areas, water quality, wildlife habitat, parks and recreational lands through voluntary agreements with willing landowners. More than 470,000 acres in 71 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties have been protected to date. The program provides public access for outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, hiking, canoeing, wildlife watching and biking.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. In Wisconsin, the Conservancy has helped conserve more than 139,000 acres since 1960. The Conservancy has more than 21,000 members in Wisconsin and offices in Madison, Baraboo, East Troy, Minocqua and Sturgeon Bay.  On the Web at www.nature.org/wisconsin.