This workshop was held in 2007 and 2009

This full-day program is for teachers, ecologists, and naturalists. No prior experience is necessary.  In the morning there will be an illustrated lecture reviewing some of the major edible mushrooms of the area, as well as their toxic look-alikes. Following lunch, participants will forage in Glynwood’s surroundings. Collections will be reviewed at the end of the day.

Like all living matter, mushrooms are dependent upon moisture and temperature. They will fruit in our area in abundance from May through mid-October or later.  Mid-September usually marks the peak of the collecting season when both the greatest numbers and diversity of mushrooms will be found.  The habitat at Glynwood supports both mycorrhizal and saprophytic fungi. We expect a rewarding foray.

The ecological function of fungi will be stressed, as will basic factors involved in their identification.  The similarity of toxic and edible species will be described as well as the dangers of misidentification.  The complete identification of some mushrooms may take weeks or months, but others can often be recognized at a glance.

The basics of identification for the beginning to intermediate collector will be stressed, as will helpful collecting techniques. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms by Gary Lincoff is highly recommended as an indispensable tool for field work in our area. All participants should have their own copy.

It seems reasonable that some attending this foray will be interested in eating wild mushrooms. An emphasis will be placed upon developing a safe, conservative approach to this endeavor.

Participants who choose to eat mushrooms collected on this foray do so at their own risk. Glynwood Center, its staff and directors, and the foray leader cannot be held responsible for any toxic reaction to the mushrooms or for exposure to other toxic substances encountered on the foray (Ticks, Poison Ivy, Stinging nettle, etc).

Bill Bakaitis

Bill is of Italian and Lithuanian ancestry. Both sets of his immigrant grandparents collected and ate wild mushrooms, although each was quite sure the mushrooms eaten by the other set were poisonous. He therefore came to an independent judgment by necessity!

Bill is the founding president of the Mid-Hudson Mycological Association, where he has also served as Education Director. He is a consultant to the NYS Poison Control Network, and is a Mycology/Taxonomy consultant to Hudsonia at Bard College. He is a popular speaker in the Mid-Hudson area, and has given mushroom identification courses/workshops for the last 25 years at area colleges, and environmental and culinary associations. Bill is also a contributing editor for Mushroom: The Journal of Wild Mushrooming.