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Nature Trail in Noyes Park in autumn

Milwaukee County Strengthens Protections for Natural Areas

July 29, 2022  |  Topics: Issues

An ordinance updated to address foraging, invasive species, and killing wildlife

By Eddee Daniel

From tiny woodlots in neighborhood parks to substantial acreages in parkways along rivers, Milwaukee County is blessed with—yes—a wealth of nature! Two thirds of Milwaukee County Parks land, over 10,000 acres, is left in a natural state: our “urban wilderness.” However, it takes vigilance, effort, and precious resources to keep them that way. Paradoxically, the wilderness must be not only protected but managed and maintained.

Barloga Woods, a recent addition to Falk Park in Oak Creek that is named for an influential and highly respected amateur naturalist, Richard Barloga, who identified many significant native species that need protection.
Barloga Woods, a recent addition to 223-acre Falk Park in Oak Creek that is named for an influential and highly respected amateur naturalist, Richard Barloga, who identified many significant native species that need protection and care.

Over time, the quality and integrity of these natural areas has been threatened in various ways, sometimes inadvertently by the very people who love them. For example, it is all too easy to unwittingly spread invasive species. Some would like to forage for edible plants, a practice that harkens back to pre-modern times and may suggest a kind of back-to-the-land philosophy. To that end, earlier this year, propelled by proponents, several County Board Supervisors attempted to revise an existing County Ordinance to allow foraging in the park system.

As in many inner city parks, the woodlot in Jackson Park, Milwaukee, makes up just a small portion of the park's 113.2 acres, but has an outsized role in providing a patch of nature for the surrounding community.
As in many inner city parks, the woodlot in Jackson Park, Milwaukee, makes up just a small portion of the park’s 113.2 acres, but has an outsized role in providing a patch of nature for the surrounding community.

Foraging may be acceptable—or even an important source of sustenance for people living with food insecurity—in other contexts. Many Wisconsin State Parks outside Milwaukee County allow for it. However, the pressure such practices exert on fragile habitats in densely populated areas is extreme. In an email reply to my inquiry about it, Natural Areas Supervisor Brian Russart explained it this way: “Foraging leads to loss of biodiversity, reduced food resources for native wildlife, creation of social trails that compact soil, the spread of invasive species, and crushing of other native plants. The natural areas within the park system are typically quite small and cannot sustain regular harvesting activities.”

Only about half of Riverside Park's 25.4 acres is left natural, but it's enough to have motivated the Urban Ecology Center to locate it's flagship branch there and use it as an outdoor classroom for thousands of Milwaukee schoolchildren who would otherwise have little opportunity to experience nature.
Only about half of Riverside Park’s 25.4 acres is left natural, but it’s enough to have motivated the Urban Ecology Center to locate it’s flagship branch there and use it as an outdoor classroom for thousands of Milwaukee schoolchildren who would otherwise have little opportunity to experience nature.

There are additional reasons to restrict—and avoid—foraging, he says: “There are a number of natural areas within the park system, such as the Little Menomonee River Parkway and lower Milwaukee River Greenway that have had historic soil contamination. While work is ongoing to clean up sites where we know about historic contamination, harvesting wild edibles from areas such as these could pose unknown health risks.”

A wetland pond in a section of the 868.2-acre Little Menomonee River Parkway, second largest property in the Milwaukee County Parks System. Much of this parkway was affected by a toxic Superfund site in its upstream reaches. Although the site and river were subject to a Superfund clean up, which involved re-channeling several miles of the river, some residual pollution remains in the soils.
A wetland pond in a section of the 868.2-acre Little Menomonee River Parkway, second largest property in the Milwaukee County Parks System. Much of this parkway was affected by a toxic Superfund site in its upstream reaches. Although the site and river were subject to a Superfund clean up, which involved re-channeling several miles of the river, some residual pollution remains in the soils.

The issue is not insignificant, and is especially problematic in those parks in more urbanized parts of the county. According to Russart, “It has become nearly impossible to find any wild leek or ramp populations anymore, and there is plenty of suitable habitat where it should be growing. Most people don’t realize that it takes 7-years for a wild leek to grow from seed into a plant large enough to harvest.”

At well over 3,000 acres, the Root River Parkway is by far the largest segment of the parks system. While small woodlots are common throughout the system, here, in addition to woodlands, significant acreage of open meadows, prairies and wetlands like this remain, especially in the Franklin portion of the parkway.
At well over 3,000 acres, the Root River Parkway is by far the largest segment of the parks system. While small woodlots are common throughout the system, here, in addition to woodlands, significant acreage of open meadows, prairies and wetlands like this remain, especially in the Franklin portion of the parkway.

Mushrooms are another popular foraging item. Russart has received many reports over the years from people who have observed others removing large quantities of mushrooms and other edible plants from the parks’ natural areas—“sometimes gunnysacks full.” A related problem is poaching of wildlife. The Parks Department, in conjunction with DNR wardens, regularly removes illegal deer stands from natural areas, for example.

The 42-acre Cudahy Nature Preserve in Oak Creek is one of three State Natural Areas in Milwaukee County, as designated by the WI DNR. The designation protects "outstanding examples of Wisconsin's native landscape of natural communities."
The 42-acre Cudahy Nature Preserve in Oak Creek is one of three State Natural Areas in Milwaukee County, as designated by the WI DNR. The designation protects “outstanding examples of Wisconsin’s native landscape of natural communities.”

The foraging proposal was denied by the County Board following an outcry from the citizens of Milwaukee County. But it had a galvanizing effect. In consultation with the Milwaukee County Parks Natural Areas staff, the County Board ended up revising the ordinance in question (47.08) so that it provides even stronger protections in other important ways as well. The updated ordinance now includes an entirely new section entitled “Protection of Nature.”

Although popular for its golf course and Cool Waters waterpark, about a third of 282.3-acre Greenfield Park in West Allis is devoted to natural habitats, including this large woodlot and a large lagoon.
Although popular for its golf course and Cool Waters waterpark, about a third of 282.3-acre Greenfield Park in West Allis is devoted to natural habitats, including this large woodlot and a large lagoon.

Here, in abbreviated form, are the new provisions:

(A) No person shall harvest, collect, deface, or disturb, in any manner, any portion of a native plant or native fungi within the Park System.

(B) Invasive species can be removed within the Park System only by Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Culture (DPRC) staff or those authorized through written permission from the DPRC. Planting of any vegetative material within the Park System without the written permission of the DPRC is prohibited.

(C) The harassment, capture, injury, or killing of native wildlife within the Park System is prohibited. Introduction or release of any animal, wild or domestic, within the Park System without the written permission of the DPRC is prohibited.

(D) Natural areas designated by the Southeastern WI Regional Planning Commission as “Natural Areas of Local, Regional, or State-wide Significance” or designated as “Critical Species Habitat Areas,” will receive a heightened level of protection. Only hiking, biking, running, bird watching and similar passive recreation activities are allowed and only on designated trails.

At only 15.4 acres, Holler Park in Milwaukee is one of the smaller County Parks, but approximately two thirds of it is left as a natural respite for the neighborhood.
At only 15.4 acres, Holler Park in Milwaukee is one of the smaller County Parks, but approximately two thirds of it is left as a natural respite for the neighborhood.

As an advocate for keeping natural areas natural, I for one am delighted to hear about this development. But I’m also fond of plucking a handful of black raspberries now and then when I come across ripe ones on my excursions in the parks. So, I was delighted again when Russart assured me that, “The County Board did want Parks to be lenient on individuals walking along designated trails in the park system eating the occasional handful of wild raspberries as they are walking, because the impact would be minor and the plants are typically found along trails.” Whew. Of course, I would never go into the woods carrying a bucket in order to load up on more black raspberries than I could eat in the moment.

Another exception to the rule is harvesting fruit from designated orchards in the park system. (Did you know we had orchards? They are in Washington and McGovern Parks.)

An aerial view of the organic orchard in 61-acre McGovern Park, Milwaukee. This park also has a significant woodland area, as well as a lagoon.
An aerial view of the organic orchard in 61-acre McGovern Park, Milwaukee. This park also has a significant woodland area, as well as a lagoon.

In closing, Brian Russart would like you to know this: “Citizens that observe illegal foraging in the park system are encouraged to call the Parks Ranger Hot-line (414-257-7777) as they are observing these activities. This way Parks can respond immediately, and appropriately address the situation.”

A visitor admires an enormous stand of American Beech in Pleasant Valley Park, a 22.9-acre section of the Milwaukee River Greenway that is entirely devoted to urban wilderness.
A visitor admires an enormous stand of European Beech in Pleasant Valley Park, a 22.9-acre section of the Milwaukee River Greenway that is entirely devoted to urban wilderness.

The featured image at the top is from the Nature Trail in 71.8-acre Noyes Park, Milwaukee.

Eddee Daniel is a board member of Preserve Our Parks. The Milwaukee County Parks Department is a project partner of A Wealth of Nature.