Program

I'm a Mass Audubon Certified Field Naturalist and former park ranger who offers guided mushroom walks and entertaining mushroom talks. Together, we explore the joys and hazards of the fungus among us, discovering: which mushrooms are safe to eat and how to find, collect, and prepare them; how to identify and avoid the most dangerous toxic mushrooms in our region; the secrets to using sight, scent, and context to identify your mushroom finds; the strange ways mushrooms live and the vital, hidden roles they play in our habitats; and unexpected surprises -- we’ll always find and discuss delightful natural wonders that are impossible to predict in advance.

Walks for the mushroom hunting season (July through October): Two to three-hour outdoor excursions on your property (or other properties with permission). My walk and talks cover the basics of mushroom habits, identification, and ecology, and help prepare participants for safe, exciting forages of their own. (Limited to up to 30 people/walk.) Fee: $400

Talks for either the in-season or the off-season (November through June): One to one-and-a-half hour indoor presentations on mushrooms: what they are, how they live, why they’re fascinating. My talk covers the basics of fungal life with insights on foraging for food and avoiding toxics, and a special emphasis on common mushrooms participants are likely to find in their neck of New England. Fee: $300