Letter to the Editor: Your Six-minute Call Can Help Protect Local Lands and Waters

This note is a request for six minutes of your time during the next few days to protect more of Door County’s exceptional lands and waters. Please take six minutes (three minutes per call) to call our legislators, Rep. Joel Kitchens and Sen. André Jacque, to ask them to support a 10-year extension of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. You could also send an email, but it just doesn’t have the same impact.

Here’s why phone calls from all of us – right now – are important: The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is a critical source of funding for conservation in Wisconsin, and it’s in danger of being cut from the state budget.

During the past year, people have rediscovered the joy of outdoor recreation – the wonder of a simple walk in the woods. The land protected by the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program proved to be priceless.

Since its inception in 1989, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has invested almost $31 million in land preservation in Door County. Everyone loves to live and visit here because of the county’s natural beauty. Knowles-Nelson funding has helped to protect the Sister Bay Waterfront Park, Ahnapee State Trail, Mink River estuary, Jacksonport Lakeside Park expansion and nearly every Door County Land Trust nature preserve!

Our legislators are currently discussing budget priorities. Please help maintain this essential funding source by making a phone call today. It’s easy. Here’s how to reach them: Sen. André Jacque, 608.266.3512, [email protected]; and Rep. Joel Kitchens, 608.266.5350, [email protected].

Here’s what to say: “I’m calling to ask Sen. Jacque (or Rep. Kitchens) to strongly support a 10-year extension of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. It helps to preserve recreational areas and the unique natural beauty of Door County. Recreation and natural beauty promote tourism and create a strong local economy for us. Thank you.”

Your six minutes spent calling legislators is a great investment in our beautiful county. Thank you for your help in this important effort!

Donna Hake

President, Door County Land Trust 

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin