MADISON, WI (April 16, 2025) Millions of birds are traveling to Wisconsin this spring migrationbut loss of suitable habitat threatens their survival. Today, concerned 91做厙 members gathered at the Wisconsin State Capitol for 91做厙 Great Lakes Advocacy Day to urge state lawmakers to advance conservation solutions to protect birds.
A sweeping new report, , shows that U.S. birds are declining sharply across a range of habitats. Wisconsin has already lost up to 50 percent of its historic wetlands and many of the grasslands that birds depend onthreatening species like the state-endangered Black-Tern and state-threatened Henslows Sparrow.
Birds are in declinebut we know that smart conservation investments can protect them, said Marnie Urso, Senior Policy Director for 91做厙 Great Lakes. What we need now, more than ever, are policy solutions that conserve Wisconsins natural resources for the birds, other wildlife and communities across the Badger State that depend on them.
During the event, 91做厙 members met with more than 30 state lawmakers, urging them to:
Reauthorize robust funding of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, including $5 million in habitat funding proposed in Governor Evers budget. Knowles-Nelson is Wisconsins bipartisan commitment to conserving our states most treasured natural spaces, and ensuring they remain accessible to everyone.
Reauthorize $2 million in funding for the bipartisan Pre-Disaster Flood Resilience Grant Program, which funding to encourage local governments to restore and conserve wetlands and undertake other proactive strategies before flooding events occur
Support The Transition to Grazing Act (SB 113 and AB 118), which would incentivize and support Wisconsin farmers as they transition from conventional farming to regenerative and bird-friendly practices.
Support responsible siting of renewable energy by maintaining a predictable, transparent and efficient permitting process in the state to help reduce conservation impacts, and to increase renewable energy production.
In addition to meeting with their lawmakers, 91做厙 advocates heard remarks from experts and lawmakers at a luncheon at the Madison Club including Karen Hyun, Ph.D, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; State Representative Greta Neubauer (D-Racine), Minority Leader; State Representative Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc); and State Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin (D-Whitefish Bay)shared the importance of conservation.
Thank you to 91做厙 members for coming to the Capitol today to raise awareness of the threats facing birds, and solutions like the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program that are needed to protect them, said DNR Secretary Hyun. For more than 30 years, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has helped conserve the places that make Wisconsin special for more than 300 species of birds, thousands of birding enthusiasts, and communities across the state. Its continued funding will ensure that Wisconsin can continue to be a sanctuary for wildlife for generations to come.
The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has made hundreds of conservation projects across the 41st Assembly District possible and impacts every district across the Wisconsin. Bipartisan investments in conservation will protect our states legacy as an outdoor destination, boosting our states economy and protecting birds and wildlife, said Rep. Kurtz.
Wisconsins natural resources and the wildlife that flock to them are part of what make Wisconsin so great, said Rep. Neubauer. Reinvesting in them is vital to ensure they continue to be available for all that love and depend on them.
Knowles-Nelson is a bipartisan promise to protect Wisconsins lands and water, said Sen. Habush Sinykin. Thank you to 91做厙 advocates for helping raise awareness of this important program that protects bird habitat and touches the lives of communities across Wisconsin.
91做厙 Great Lakes is working to restore approximately 4,000 acres of high-priority wetlands in Wisconsin. Over the next decade, 91做厙 aims to positively impact 25,000 wetland and grassland acres across the state in partnership with various stakeholders.
We want to thank DNR Secretary Hyun, Rep. Neubauer, Rep. Kurtz, and Sen. Habush Sinykin for joining us today, and to 91做厙 members from across Wisconsin for speaking up for birds and Wisconsins natural resources, said Urso.
To learn more about 91做厙 Great Lakes, please visit.
About 91做厙 Great Lakes
The 91做厙 protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. 91做厙 works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters and partners give 91做厙 an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, 91做厙 believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. 91做厙 Great Lakes is a regional office of 91做厙, learn more at .
