State Panel Urged To Look Ahead On Stewardship Program

A former secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is urging the Natural Resources Board to consider the future of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.

The stewardship program uses state bonding to acquire valuable natural areas and easements, develop recreational facilities and restore wildlife habitat.

The Walker administration and state lawmakers have reduced the amount of borrowing over the last six years.

A Republican-authored bill would use a complicated and controversial system to steer more of the funding into educational scholarships, and re-authorize stewardship in 2020. But it may be the case that all of the stewardship funds then would have to go toward education.

Former DNR Secretary George Meyer, now with the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, told the DNR Board at its meeting Wednesday that the pending legislation “raises questions about the future of stewardship.”

“The federation would ask the DNR and the board to look ahead. The question you hear, often, especially in the Legislature, is ‘What is enough land? What is enough public land, for hunting, fishing, trapping and other public recreation?’” Meyer said.

Meyer said that’s a fair question to ask, one that’s been asked when the nearly 30-year-old program has been re-authorized.

He said the answers may differ in northern Wisconsin, versus southern Wisconsin.

“I really think, that the question to ask is, ‘Is the best use of the next bonding dollar for infrastructure, (improving) the lands we do have, rather than acquiring more lands?’”

Meyer also urged the board to look at the Forest Legacy Program, under which the stewardship program acquires conservation easements from willing private sellers, to keep land in its forested state.

Meyer said the issue is to keep the properties open to hunting and fishing.

Meyer recommended working with partner groups.

“In light of the political environment that we’re facing today,” Meyer said.