Senator to discuss stewardship program in Port

The future of the Knowles-Nelson stewardship program, which has helped finance a wide variety of projects in Ozaukee County will be discussed during a 5:30 p.m. program Thursday, April 10, at the Niederkorn Library in Port Washington.

State Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin, D-Whitefish Bay, will host the program, which is slated to run until 7:30 p.m.

Habush Sinykin will discuss details about the program, where it stands in the state budget and how to advocate for its 10-year reauthorization.

Those attending will have the opportunity to share stories about projects funded by the stewardship program that have impacted their lives or their communities.

The Knowles-Nelson stewardship program has helped fund a number of area projects, including Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve in the Town of Grafton, Forest Beach Migratory Preserve in the Town of Belgium and Donges Bay Gorge in Mequon,

It was expected to provide $2.3 million to help buy the Clay Bluffs Cedar Gorge Nature Preserve in Port Washington, but that amount was first reduced to $1.6 million and then blocked by the Joint Finance Committee after an anonymous legislator objected to the grant.

After that move resulted in an outcry from the public, Gov. Tony Evers restored the initial funding using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds that the state received.

The stewardship fund, established in 1989, is funded through June 2026. For it to continue beyond that, it must be reauthorized and funding included in the state budget.