Rhinelander plants seeds of a public food forest

If you have noticed a sudden influx of saplings lining city roadways and appearing in local yards lately, you are witnessing the first phase of a quiet green transformation taking root across Rhinelander. Backed by a new three-year grant, the City of Rhinelander has officially launched the “Rhinelander Urban Forest Recovery & Revitalization” project—an ambitious effort to strengthen the local ecosystem and, in time, put a literal harvest within reach of every resident.
According to a city press release, the initiative unites two key local partners: the Rhinelander City Forester and the Oneida County Land and Water Conservation Department. While the grant supports broad revitalization work across the city, the crown jewel of the effort is the creation of a public Food Forest—an edible landscape designed to serve both people and the broader Northwoods ecosystem, the release states. At first glance, a Food Forest might look like any other woodland—but every layer is intentional, the release notes. Unlike a traditional orchard or vegetable patch, a Food Forest mimics a natural ecosystem by stacking productive plants in vertical layers, from canopy to ground cover:
• Canopy & Understory: Fruit and nut trees that form the backbone of the forest.
• Shrub Layer: Berry bushes and fruiting shrubs providing seasonal harvests.
• Herbaceous Layer: Edible perennials and self-seeding annuals filling the mid-story.

• Ground Cover: Low-growing plants that protect the soil and provide edible greens.
The press release describes the goal succinctly: a Food Forest garden is self-perpetuating and self-healing. By selecting plants that build soil health and draw beneficial insects, the city aims to create a living landscape that resists pests and disease without relying on chemical fertilizers—a meaningful advantage in a community eager to tend its natural surroundings responsibly. The project prioritizes native species that support local pollinators, ensuring the forest nourishes not only people but also the bees and butterflies vital to Wisconsin’s broader environment. Smart landscaping principles are woven throughout the design. Dense plantings and a deep layer of naturally composting leaf litter will retain rainwater on-site, suppress weeds, and create sheltered micro-climates that help sensitive plants survive and thrive through the Northwoods’ demanding winters and short growing seasons. The project is still in its early planning stages, with a dedicated committee actively scouting locations and selecting plant varieties suited to the local climate. When planting day arrives, the effort will be a true community undertaking, led by Master Gardeners and supported by local volunteers.
Once established, the Food Forest will function as a public commons. Fruits, berries, and other edibles will be free for any Rhinelander resident to harvest—no gardening experience required. The City is actively seeking volunteers to help bring the edible landscape to life. Residents can connect with the project in two ways:
• Earth Day Fair: Stop by the Food Forest booth at Nicolet College on April 22, 2026, from 3-7 p.m.
• Direct Contact: Reach out to Tom Jerow, Rhinelander City Forester, at 715-401-1578 or forester@rhinelanderwi.us.