Since 1989, Wisconsin’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship fund has protected over 750,000 acres of wildlife habitat, recreational lands, state parks, grasslands, wetlands and forests. The program is set to expire in 2026.  Despite enjoying bipartisan support in the past, and widespread popular support in the present, legislative re-authorization of the state’s primary conservation program remains elusive.  On November 13, the Assembly Committee on Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation deadlocked 6-6 on a reauthorizing bill, stalling it in committee.  Whatever the future of the state’s conservation fund, the public private Cherish Fund of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, seeks to at least supplement and assist, if not replace, the Knowles-Nelson fund.  Shelly Torkelson, Communications Director for the Natural Resources Foundation  and Krista Lutzke,  staff for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Division  joined Monday Buzz host Brian Standing on November 24, 2025.

<figure class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_481217" style="width: 264px;"><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-481217">Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin</figcaption></figure>

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