The first recipient of the Harold “Bud” Jordahl Stewardship Award is Governor James Doyle. We are honored to present this award to Governor Doyle for his commitment to the conservation of Wisconsin’s lands and waters.
Governor Doyle has been the pivotal partner in securing funding for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund. The Stewardship Fund is critical to the conservation success of the state’s land trusts, and is a model for other states as they develop conservation programs. During the most recent budget negotiations, the Stewardship Fund was targeted for extreme cuts which would have severely restricted the ability of both land trusts and state and local governments to protect important natural resources. However, Governor Doyle made clear his belief in the importance of the Stewardship Fund, and vetoed the Legislature’s proposed cuts.
Governor Doyle’s commitment to protecting the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund has been inspirational. He recognizes that the Stewardship Fund is an investment in Wisconsin’s future that goes beyond annual budgets and partisan politics. Because of the Governor’s firm commitment and leadership, thousands of acres of natural areas, wetlands, forests, streams and lakes – the lands that we hike, hunt, camp and fish – will continue to provide quality of life, water and wildlife for generations to come. Governor Doyle continues a long legacy of Wisconsin politicians and citizens who have made natural resources our priority — the Harold “Bud” Jordahls of our state.
“This bipartisan program has been a long-standing commitment to protect some of Wisconsin’s best remaining natural and recreational lands for our children and our grandchildren…. This is about more than protecting land – it is about protecting our Wisconsin values. And those values mean that even during tough times, we make key investments in Wisconsin’s future.”
— Governor James Doyle,
Stewardship Veto Announcement,
July 14, 2003
