Mushrooms evoke a wide range of images including fairies and gnomes, poison and decay, and even gourmet dinners for some! In order to begin to appreciate the numerous roles mushrooms play in ecosystems and human cultures, it is important to be able to identify them. In this beginner level workshop, local mycologist Claire Burkum will introduce us to the features used by mycologists to distinguish different genera (groups) of mushrooms. She will highlight 10 – 15 local genera, beginning with a brief discussion of how to collect specimens and make spore prints, followed by a trip into the Kip Tract forest to do some mushroom hunting.  After the brief foray, we will return to Wachtmeister Field Station to observe our collections together and work together to determine the various mushrooms’ identities.

The focus for this workshop will be on the typical mushroom, with a cap and stalk. Participants will leave with a handout providing a “toolkit” to help identify future finds. Given the tremendous diversity of fungi in the forest, this workshop will only be a start of the development of your mushroom identification skills. 

Space is limited for this workshop. Please register by emailing cburkum@stlawu.edu by July 28th before 5 pm. Suggested donation: 2 non-perishable food items or $5 cash donation to be given to local food bank. No one will be excluded for not giving a donation. All ages welcome, including kids with adults present. Some tools that will be helpful (but not essential) – notebook, pen or pencil, basket. Hand lenses/magnifying glasses, paper bags (for collecting samples), and other materials will be provided.

This event will be held at Wachtmeister Field Station at the south end of the SLU campus in Canton. To get there, proceed south down Park St. past the campus athletic fields. The drive will be on the left coming from the SLU campus and right if coming from Route 27.