Tia Nelson Argues Forcefully for Gov. Doyle's Stewardship Plan Expansion

Wisconsin has long had a bipartisan land stewardship program that buys open space and places it in the public domain.

The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund is a solid Wisconsin tradition that preserves the opportunity for Wisconsinites and visitors to enjoy the good life here.

It's good for business and helps guarantee that irreplaceable wetlands, forests and other vital pieces of the state's ecosystem will flourish and renew our state's natural heritage.

Gov. Doyle has placed a significant funding expansion of that plan in his 2007-'09 budget, and, predictably, the pave-it-til-it's-gone crowd is suggesting we can't afford it.

Nonsense.

But don't take my word for it: read what state public lands commission executive secretary Tia Nelson has to say.

Tia is a knowledgeable conservationist whose analysis and opinion carries weight.

She's also the daughter of former Gov. and Sen. Gaylord Nelson - - known worldwide as the founder of Earth Day - - so Tia is carrying on some significant traditions and we're lucky as Wisconsin residents that she is doing just that.