Is it legal to forage for food in Milwaukee? Here’s what to know

Foraging, or the practice of gathering wild foods, has become more popular over the years as people seek a more authentic connection with nature and with what they eat.

But there is a lot to know about how to do it and where it’s allowed – especially in the Milwaukee area, where legacy industrial pollution has left behind contaminated soil in many places.

Experts say you should not eat something unless you’re completely certain of what it is and whether it is safe to eat. They also remind people not to take more than they need.

Here’s what to know about where you can – and can’t – forage in Milwaukee and the surrounding area.

Is it legal to forage in Milwaukee County parks?

No.

Milwaukee County Ordinance 47.08 says no person shall “harvest, collect, deface, or disturb” native plants or fungi anywhere in the park system. The removal of invasive species is only permitted by parks department staff or others they have authorized. Breaking the rule comes at a cost of $100.

The ordinance is in place largely because many soils around the county are contaminated due to the area’s industrial history, said James Tarantino, deputy director of Milwaukee County Parks. In other words, it’s a safety issue.

“People really can’t assume that just because this field is green and it has plants growing on it that it’s always been that way,” Tarantino said.

The parks department is working on restoring native habitat and cleaning up soils, including in the Milwaukee River corridor, which is designated as one of the most degraded areas in the Great Lakes region.

Tarantino said the number of tickets issued for foraging in the parks is small and usually occurs when people are taking large quantities of a plant for commercial use. Typically, parks department staffers try to to educate people about the reasons foraging is not allowed, he said.

Is it legal to forage in Wisconsin state parks?

Foraging is allowed on state lands, including parks, forests and natural areas – but some rules still apply.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, people can forage for edible fruits and nuts; wild mushrooms; wild asparagus and watercress; and garlic mustard and other invasive species, without a permit.

Still, it is only allowed for personal consumption. Collecting seeds, plant parts and wild ramps is not allowed. Foraging of endangered or threatened species is similarly banned, and the state has specific rules for harvesting wild rice and wild ginseng.

Do other counties allow foraging?

Foraging is legal in some Wisconsin county parks. It’s always a good idea to check in advance.

Dane County, for example, offers a list of specific locations within parks to find nuts, morel mushrooms, berries and other fruits, as well as the best times to harvest.

Madeline Heim covers health and the environment for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at 920-996-7266 or mheim@usatodayco.com.