The Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee denied state funding for the Pelican River Forest project during its meeting Tuesday morning.The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board approved in November using $4 million dollars from the Knowles Nelson Fund to purchase conservation easements on roughly 56,000 acres.
Public support needed for parks and land protection in Wisconsin
State funding for projects to preserve natural resources and provide more outdoor recreation is being considered in the state legislature.
An eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly (black morph) feeds on rough blazing star at Standing Cedars Community Land Conservancy along the St. Croix River. Standing Cedars has protected significant tracts of land thanks to the Knowles-Nelson Fund. (Greg Seitz/St. Croix 360)
A flagship land conservation program in Wisconsin that was named after two political leaders with St. Croix River roots is running out of money. An initiative by environmental groups is urging the state legislature to fully authorize and fund the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.