Council votes for conservation

WAUPACA – The City Council passed a resolution on Dec. 2 to show their support for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant program to encourage state officials to continue the program for a further ten years.
The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program began in 1989 with the goal of preserving natural areas throughout Wisconsin.
Since 1998, the City of Waupaca has received grants from this program totaling $550,000.
“It is meant to preserve valuable natural areas, and wildlife habitat, protect water quality and fisheries and expand opportunities for outdoor [recreation],” said Laura Colbert, Waupaca’s Parks and Recreation Director.
According to the Knowles-Nelson website, to date, since its inception $1.3 billion dollars has been awarded in grants to cities, towns and villages throughout Wisconsin to preserve natural areas, as well as 650,000 acres of protected land.

The resolution is simply to show the state legislature and Governor that they support continuing the grant program, as it has been so generous to the area, and they hope to see it continued a further ten years.
“We are looking for the elected officials of Waupaca to request the state continue this for another ten years,” Colbert said. “Since we are direct beneficiaries it’s really important that we get behind this.”
Colbert said they recently received a $64,000 grant from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program for the Waupaca Eco Park which is found on Webster Way in Waupaca.