recruiting a new generation of mycologists

1 The Mycophile, September/October 2009

by Nicole A. Hynson

[Reprinted with permission from MycenaNews of the Mycological Society of SanFrancisco and the author]

If I were to take a trip back in time to20 or so years ago and ask myselfwhat I would be doing in the year2009, I don’t think the answer wouldhave been studying fungi. As ayoung person, never in a millionyears would I have thought that thejob of mycologist was real or just aslegitimate as say astronaut, doctor, orballerina. Yet here we are! Now, as agraduate student and teacher ofmycology, I often wonder what is itabout fungi that has held my interest.In the answer to this question isperhaps the solution to getting youngpeople interested in mycology.

The first bit of fungal bait that comes to mind is wild edible mush-rooms. As a teenager living in Oregon, collecting wild edibles was whatfirst got me hooked on fungi. However, compared to many places in Europeand Asia, wildcrafting [gathering or harvesting from the wild —Ed.] in generalis not a common American pastime. Most American children are notencouraged by their families or teachers to learn about wild edibles. Foraverage American children it is actually quite the opposite: they are taughtthat mushrooms are dangerous and should be avoided. The one exception isthe benign button mushroom that may show up in the marinara on spa-ghetti night. This lack of exposure to fungi already presents a hurdle foreducators who are interested in getting kids engaged in the fungal world.

Furthermore, as the child grows up, fungi stop being associated justwith “gross toadstools” and move further into the realm of taboo where, ifone is interested in fungi, one is automatically aligned with the psychedelicmovement of the ‘60s or the occult.

An additional challenge is that, unlike less morphologically and season-ally variable organisms such as birds, bugs, or even plants, mushroomscannot be correctly identifed only from information gleaned from a book,video, or lecture; the skill must be handed down directly from person toperson. Thus, learning to identify mushrooms is one of the last remainingoral traditions we have, which makes it all the more valuable and at risk.

Because I was fortunate enough to have friends who were into mush-

Volume 50:2 September ⁄ October 2009 www.namyco.org

1

(Continued on page 4)


How to engage youth in mycology

Recruiting a New Generation of Mycologists NAMA Forayers Meet inCajun Paradise

Mendocino, CA: A UC – Berkeley under-grad reacts to her first mushroom foray.

NAMA seeks nominations forPresident, 1st Vice-President,Secretary, Executive Secretary

Send nominations—including descrip-tion of qualifications and experience,and consent to serve—to Adele Mehta,2nd Vice-President, 4917 West OldShakopee Road, Bloomington, MN55437. Required materials must besubmitted prior to November 19, 2009.Check the NAMA website (www.namyco.org) for additional information.

Gulf States Mycological Society willhost the North American Mycologi-cal Association’s annual foray inLafayette, LA, Thursday throughSunday, November 26–29, Thanks-giving week. The event will behoused at the Holiday Inn –Lafayette, 2032 N.E. EvangelineThruway, Lafayette (on the accessroad of Interstate 49, one blocksouth of the intersection withInterstate 10). All activities will beheld onsite, and we have amplespace for dining, presentations,presort, mushroom displays, ven-dors, and bus and car parking.

Lafayette is considered the heartof Acadiana (Cajun) culture. A goodintroduction to this unique part ofAmerica is the Acadian CulturalCenter in Lafayette, operated by theNational Park Service, which offersmuseum exhibits, a shop, and a 40-minute film on the Acadian people.If you have time, the local restau-rants provide a wide assortment ofCajun cuisine. In St. Martinville,one can visit the Evangeline oak,

The Mycophile, September/October 2009 2

The Mycophile is published bimonthlyby the North American MycologicalAssociation, 6586 Guilford Road,Clarksville, MD 21029

NAMA is a nonprofit corporation;contributions may be tax-deductible.

Web site: www.namyco.org

Isaac Forester, PresidentP.O. Box 1107North Wilkesboro, NC [email protected]

Bruce Eberle, Editor-in-ChiefInterim Executive Secretary6586 Guilford RoadClarksville, MD [email protected]

Judith Caulfield, Production Editor1205 Hanover StreetChattanooga, TN [email protected]

NAMA is a 501(c)(3) charitableorganization. Contributions to supportthe scientific and educational activi-ties of the Association are alwayswelcome and may be deductible asallowed by law. Gifts of any amountmay be made for special occasions,such as birthdays and anniversaries,and for memorials.

Special categories includeFriend of NAMA: $500–900Benefactor: $1000–4900Patron: $5000 and up

Send contributions toJudith McCandless, Treasurer330 Wildwood PlaceLouisville, [email protected]

Moving?Please send your new address,two weeks before you move, to

Ann BornsteinNAMA Membership Secretary61 Devon CourtWatsonville, CA 95076-1160annstitcher@charter. net

Otherwise—you may not be gettingyour newsletter for a while. Eachissue, several Mycophiles arereturned as undeliverable because ofno forwarding address on file. NAMAis charged seventy cents for eachreturned or forwarded newsletter.

F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T


I would hazard a guess that most NAMA members have never attended anational foray. Some of us attend them every year for obvious reasons—such as the mushrooms, many of which aren’t normally seen in your partof the country. Then there’s the opportunity to learn about fungi from theexperts; the lectures, workshops and evening programs are worth the tripalone. But to me one of the best reasons to attend the national foray is thepeople—a mixture from all walks of life, professional mycologists, amateurmycologists who earn a living from nearly every vocation imaginable,ranging in age from college students to senior citizens, all sitting togetherenjoying each other’s company and learning. Even for first-time attendeesthe atmosphere is one of a homecoming; good friends are made immediately.

This year’s national foray is being held in Lafayette, LA, November26–29, hosted by the Gulf States Mycological Society. This is the week ofThanksgiving, which for some creates a conflict; however, it’s a time whenmany of the professionals can attend without a conflict with their univer-sity duties. Therefore, this is a great opportunity to learn from the experts.Drs. Clark Overbo and Juan Mata will serve as co-chief mycologists, andtheir knowledge of southern fungi will be utilized; many other mycologistsfamiliar with the deep south will be present.

On another note, for those of us who remember the foray at Beaumont,TX, several years ago, this is a chance to again visit this wonderful part ofthe country. We remember the hospitality of the Gulf States MycologicalSociety, the dancing and especially the Cajun food— delicious. And if youplan properly, like me you’ll head to the gulf after the foray for a couple ofdays of fishing and relaxing.

I urge you to attend the foray this year. This is truly a special part ofthe country, and as always our host has taken steps to ensure that this willbe a special, unforgettable occasion. Even the mushrooms should be in fullforce at this time of the year. I hope to see you there! —Ike

A Maryland teacher and member of NAMA has been awarded a ToyotaTAPESTRY grant, sponsored by Toyota and the National Science TeachersAssociation.

Ophelia Barizo, a science teacher at the Hagerstown, MD, HighlandView Academy, was awarded a $10,000 Toyota TAPESTRY grant for excel-lence and innovation in science teaching. She was honored in March 2009at the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) National Conferenceon Science Education in New Orleans, LA. Under Ms. Barizo’s direction,students will use the grant to study fungi and the role they play in theirinteraction with plants. Students will also research the impact of fungi onmedicine, ecosystems, and the carbon cycle and present their findings. Hergrant proposal was supported by NAMA with an accompanying letter fromSandy Sheine, the NAMA Education Chair.

Sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., and administered byNSTA, Toyota TAPESTRY is the largest annual K–12 science teacher grantprogram in the United States. Award-winning projects are selected fromthree critical areas for today’s youth: environmental science, physicalscience, and science applications that promote literacy. Fifty grants of up to$10,000 are awarded each year, along with a minimum of 20 grants of upto $2,500 each. “Supporting excellent teachers who can excite and energize

NAMA Backs a Winner: Ophelia Barizo


Over the years the rumor thatNAMA is in financial trouble keepssurfacing, and I’m amazed at thenumber of times the subject isbrought up to me. Beginning at thetrustee’s meeting held in College-ville, MN, in 2001, which I did notattend, there was much discussionconcerning NAMA dues and thebelief that, based on dues alone,NAMA would be insolvent withintwo years. Ramifications of thisshort-sighted discussion continue tosurface to this day and can only bedetrimental to the Organization; noone wants to ride on a sinking ship.Now for the facts:

When I became NAMA’s trea-surer in 1994, the Organization hadnet assets totaling $39,154. Betweenthen and now, this balance hasranged from $37,213 to $121,360 onthe year-end financial statements.Per my last correspondence with thecurrent NAMA treasurer, the Orga-nization currently has net assets of$57,905. The last membership duesincrease was approved by thetrustees in 1999, effective January1, 2000. The previous year’s mem-bership dues revenue was $32,949.The year the increase went intoeffect, dues revenues rose to$54,918, mainly because of anincrease in lifetime membershipsbefore the increase became effec-tive. The subsequent year, duesrevenues leveled off at $35,222 andhave been fairly consistent sincethat time.

For the purpose of long-termfinancial planning, the NAMAtrustees established an endowmentfund in 2004. Currently this fundhas a value of approximately$25,000. The fund was establishedby combining excess funds fromNAMA committees and specialevents, generous donations from thetrustees and others, particularly BenWoo, and transfers of a portion ofNAMA’s net income each year.Admittedly, there have been timessince 2004 when current expenses

stressed the operating budget, but tothe trustees’ credit they haveremained committed to leavingthese funds untouched. The accu-mulation in this fund will insure thecontinued financial security of theOrganization.

The bottom line is that NAMAhas been and continues to be aviable, solvent, and financiallystable organization. NAMA’s finan-cial statements are public record,and copies of NAMA’s prior year’stax returns can be viewed atGuidestar.org. Few nonprofits ofwhich I’m aware have maintainedas stable a financial condition asNAMA, especially in these eco-nomic times. NAMA continues tofund all of its programs (scholar-ships, vouchering, educationalprograms, etc.) Through the gener-osity of donors, the loyalty of NAMAmembers ,and the oversight of avery capable Board of Trustees,NAMA continues to be very muchafloat. —Ike

TAPESTRY Grant, cont. from 2

their students is a great way tomake an impact on future genera-tions,” said Michael Rouse, Toyota’svice-president of philanthropy andcommunity affairs. “TAPESTRY’sreach over the past 19 years hasallowed countless numbers of

students to be inspired by the possi-bilities of science education.”

The National Science TeachersAssociation, based in Arlington, VA,is the largest professional organiza-tion in the world promoting excel-lence and innovation in scienceteaching and learning for all. NSTA’smembership includes more than58,000 science teachers, sciencesupervisors, administrators, scien-tists, business and industry represen-tatives, and others involved inscience education. It is hoped thatsome of our NAMA members whoare science teachers will be inspiredto apply for grants, offer to bespeakers about fungi education, orjust attend NSTA national and localconferences. —Sandy Sheine

Left to right: Eric Crossley, Manager,Toyota TAPESTRY Grant for Teachers;Page Keeley, President, National ScienceTeachers Association; Ophelia Barizo; J. L.Armstrong, National Manager, ExternalAffairs of Toyota Motor Sales of the USA

Four of Ophelia’s students from HighlandView Academy presented their posters atthe Mycological Association of WashingtonDC’s “Mushroom Days,” held at Brook-side Gardens on October 5. From left:Jonathan Springer, Josh Calhoun, CaitlinWorden, Andrea Downs.

W e ‘ r e S o r r yLast issue we requested memberscontact Ann Bornstein to provide theire-mail address so they could becontacted and to obtain an electroniccopy of the 2009 NAMA MembershipDirectory. Unfortunately, the new editorerred in providing an incorrect e-mailaddress for Ann.

Ann’s correct e-mail address isannstitcher @charter.net. Please contactAnn to obtain the Membership Direc-tory and to provide her with up-to-datee-mail contacts.

The Truth about NAMA Finances


B O O K S R E V I E W E DNAMA/GSMS Foray, cont. from page 1

made famous in Longfellow’s poem“Evangeline,” and tour the historicSt. Martin de Tours Catholic Church,where the priest-botanist-mycologistFather Langlois is buried under thealtar.

Special Event: Beginner’sHands-on Microscopy Workshop.“Introduction to Using Microscopy(microscopes) for Mushroom Identi-fication” will be held from theevening of the 22nd to the morningof the 25th. This is a hands-onworkshop intended for beginnerswho have had little or no microscopyexperience before. (Of course, it isopen as well to others who wish tosharpen their microscopy skills andunderstanding of the use of micro-scopic features for mushroom ID.)All necessary microscopy equipmentand supplies will be provided. Theteacher is Walter J. Sundberg(Emeritus Professor, SouthernIllinois University at Carbondale)and Andrew Methven (Professor,Eastern Illinois University). Classenrollment is limited, so registerASAP via the NAMA Foray registra-tion process. For other questionsand/or information about the class,contact Walter Sundberg ([email protected]).

Chief Mycologists will be ClarkOvrebo and Juan Luis Mata, GSMSScientific Advisors. Presentersinclude M. Catherine Aime, LSU–Baton Rouge (past MSA secretary);Meredith Blackwell, LSU-BatonRouge; Bart Buyck, National Mu-seum of Natural History, Paris,France; Matthew Keirle, FloridaCollege; D. Jean Lodge, USDA ForestService, Puerto Rico; and, well-known to NAMA members, JayJustice, Harold Keller (Dr Myxo),Andrew Methven, John Plishke III;Samir A. Ross, Ron Spinosa; WaltSturgeon, Walt Sundberg, RodTulloss, and Tom Volk.

The Welcome to Louisiana willbe given by Charles Allen, ofColorado State & ULM. Ursula Pohl,NAMA Mycophagy Chair, willprepare our sampling of manyspecies of fungi. Patrick Leacock will

be there for the NAMA VoucherCommittee, to keep us updated onthe species collected.

Some common mushroomsexpected to occur this time of yearinclude Amanita citrina, A. polypyra-mis, A. muscaria, Hygrophorus species,many Cortinarius and Tricholomaspecies, Strobilurus conigenoides,Hericium erinaceus, Pluerotus ostreatus,and Lactarius paradoxus.

We’ll take field trips to nearbyLongfellow–Evangeline State His-toric Park in St. Martinville; ChicotState Park and the Louisiana StateArboretum, both north of Ville Platt;Nature Conservancy property atLake Martin, a few miles east oftown; the Acadiana Park and NatureCenter, in the City of Lafayette.

The field trips will cover avariety of local topography that maybe new and dramatic to many. Tripdestinations will include a wetlandarea and a beech-magnolia-loblollypine slope forest; a large cypress-tupelo forested lake, surrounded bymature hardwood uplands andextensive beech-magnolia forests; apark of live oaks and water oaks;and a nearby cypress swamp.

Lafayette has a Regional airportserved by four airlines: Continental,American, Delta, and Northwest.The Holiday Inn provides a freeshuttle to and from the airport, trainstation, and bus station. Othernearby airports are Baton RougeMetro, Lake Charles Regional,Alexandria International, and NewOrleans International.

Look for updates on the NAMAand GSMS websites: www.namyco.org and www.gsmyco.org.

room hunting and to live in thePacific Northwest, where the houseshave more kinds of mold thaninhabitants, when I began collegemy curiosity in fungi was alreadypiqued. However, had it not been forthe enthusiasm and knowledge ofmushrooms held by my professorDr. Michael Beug, I don’t think myinterests would have gone anyfurther than wanting to know the (Continued on page 8)

Young Mycologists, cont. from page 1

difference between chanterelles andhedgehogs. A quick survey of youngmycologists reveals a similar storyof mentors who brought them intothe field and in some way shapedtheir current career trajectories.

At this point you may be sayingto yourself, “Sure, we all have hadteachers that have impacted ourlives in a similar way, so shouldn’tthe creation of new mycologists justcontinue to be reciprocal? Wheregood teachers will encourage newstudents to take up the field andbecome teachers and so on?” It is myopinion that, sadly, this is not thecase. The strength of our ability toteach about fungi and get studentsengaged in the field of mycology liesin exposing them, even if just intheir own backyards, to wild mush-rooms. Our task is made moredifficult by the fact that in the U.S.,not only does the study of fungifundamentally have cultural taboosassociated with it, but with the riseof molecular techniques, we arelosing our experts in mushroomidentification. The rise of moleculartechniques for the study of fungi hasprovided a wealth of scientificdiscovery, especially when it comesto our knowledge of the sheerdiversity of fungi in natural systems.However, what has been and can beaccomplished through techniqueslike DNA sequencing of environ-mental samples in no way negatesthe need for field biology. We are ata crossroads in the mycologicalworld where the paths of moleculesand of morphology often diverge inthe proverbial wood.

So where do we go from here?First off, the power to maintain andshare fungal knowledge lies withyou. Until we reach the day oftricorder-esc handheld DNA se-quencers, we continue to rely onmushroom experts to impart theirknowledge to others. Because ofthis, outreach to the next generationis critical. Perhaps visiting yourniece’s fourth-grade class to talkabout mushrooms isn’t your idea ofa well-spent afternoon, but outreachdoesn’t have to happen in such


Name of each participant as you wish it to appear on your name tag. Deadline for registration: November 2, 2009.

Name(s):

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Phone: Day ( ) Evening ( ) e-mail:

Local club affiliation(s) for name tags:

I/we prefer: ❏ One bed ❏ Two beds ❏ Nonsmoking ❏ Smoking ❏ Please find me a roommate.

I want to share a room with Assign roommate: ❏ Male ❏ Female

❏ I require vegetarian meals or have other special concerns:

❏ I am a VENDOR. # display tables needed____ Items for sale:

The North American Mycological Association Presents Foray 2009:

In the Heart of Cajun CountryNovember 26–29, 2009 • Lafayette, Louisiana

Hosted by the Gulf States Mycological Association

REGISTRATION

Conference: Thurs. Nov. 26 to Sun. Nov. 29

a room for 3 nights, 8 meals (Thurs. dinner–Sun. breakfast), ......... #_______ @ $320 each $_____________all programs and forays

Waiver reason ...................................................................................... # ______ @ 0

Single supplement .............................................................................. #_______ @ $120 $_____________

Off site (meals, programs, forays, no rooms) ................................... #_______ @ $199 each $_____________

NAMA Trustees Meeting: Tues. Nov 24 to Thurs. Nov. 26

a room for 2 nights, 6 meals (Tues. dinner–Thurs. lunch) ............... #_______ @ $155 each $_____________

Single supplement .............................................................................. #_______ @ $ 80 $_____________

Microscopy Workshop: Sun. Nov. 22 to Thurs. Nov 26

a room for 4 nights, 12 meals (Sun. dinner–Thurs. lunch), ............. #_______ @ $400 each $_____________microscopes and all materials

Single supplement .............................................................................. #_______ @ $156 $_____________

NAMA membership (required if not current) .......................................... #_______ @ $ 35 $_____________(You must be a NAMA or GSMS member to attend.)

Mycology student discount: Subtract ..................................................... #_______ @ –$100 each $ (___________)

University:

Professor:

Make checks payable to GSMS/NAMA 2009. Mail to GSMS/NAMA 2009, Patricia Lewis, 262 CR 3062, Newton, TX 75966-7003.Questions? Call Pat at 409-423-3776; e-mail to [email protected].

E


If you are interested in arriving early or staying late at the Holiday Inn–Lafayette at the conference-room rate,please discuss this with Patricia Lewis.

We must have a signed release for each person attending the foray.

Liability Release and Promise Not to Sue

I understand that there is some risk in participating in a mushroom foray and conference: all those risks one assumesby being away from home, risk associated with moving about in fields and woods, risk involved in eating wildmushrooms, risk of losing personal property by theft or misplacement, and all other expected and unexpected risks.In registering for or attending this foray, I agree to assume total responsibility during this event for my own safety andwell-being, and for that of any minor children under my care, and for the protection of my and their personalproperty. I release the North American Mycological Association (NAMA), and the Gulf States Mycological Society(GSMS), their trustees, officers, employees, contractors, and all other persons assisting in the planning and presen-tation of this event from liability for any sickness, injury, or loss I or any minor children under my care may sufferduring this event or as a result of attending and participating. I further promise not to file a lawsuit or make a claimagainst any of the persons listed above, even if they negligently cause me or my minor children injury or loss. Finally,I agree to hold NAMA and GSMS harmless from any liability they may incur as a result of any damages to anyproperty I may cause. This release and promise is part of the consideration I give in order to attend this event. Iunderstand it affects my legal rights. I intend it to apply not only to me but to anyone who may have the right to makea claim on my behalf.

Signature 1: Date:

Print Name 1:

Signature 2: Date:

Print Name 2:

VOLUNTEER OPTIONS

If you can help in any way, please let us know. The volunteer time of our members is what continues to make NAMAforays such a success and great time for everyone. The coordinator will contact you with details prior to the foray.

Display & Identification Area: ❏ Set up ❏ Assist identification ❏ Clean up

Mycophagy: Saturday

❏ Set up ❏ Preparation ❏ Clean up

❏ Bring mushrooms: specify type and species:

Presentations: ❏ Assist with audio-visual set-up

❏ I have a digital projector I will bring for back-up.

I will bring the following items for the silent auction:


2009 NAMA Photo Contest Entry Form Digital Only

Name:

Address:

Phone: E-mail:

Entry Titles: Documentary (images suitable for the fungus or myxomycetes to be used in a guide book) Judges Option (pictures that don't fit into either of the other two categories. and/or people, humor, etc.) Pictorial (beautiful pictures of fungi or myxomycetes suitable for a calendar, poster, or coffee table book) Your $4 fee allows you to enter up to 15 digital images in the contest. Please enter the titles of your photos (or digital filenames) on the lines below. Slides may be sent but will be converted to digitals and shown as digital photos.

Pictorial (Limited to 6 entries)

P - 1: P - 4:

P - 2: P - 5:

P - 3: P - 6:

Documentary (Limited to 6 entries)

D - 1: D - 4:

D - 2: D - 5:

D - 3: D - 6:

Judges' Option (Limited to 3 entries)

JO - 1:

JO - 2:

JO - 3:

Entry fee enclosed: [ ] $4.00 for digital contest

Digital images must be mailed on a CD or DVD and will not be returned. Slides will be duplicated, then returned.

Mail images, entry forms, and entry fees (check payable to "NAMA") to: John Plischke III – Digital, 411 Center Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15601, (724) 832-0271, [email protected]

Reproduction: Entry in the contest constitutes the consent of the photographer to allow NAMA to reproduce copies of each winning slide or digital (including Honorable Mention, etc.) for circulation by the Education Committee among the membership and affiliated societies. NAMA also reserves the right to post images of the winning slides or digital on the NAMA web pages and in The Mycophile. All copyrights remain with the photographer.

All Entries Must Be Received by November 10, 2009


Young Mycologists, continued from page 4

orchestrated ways. What about thatPanaeolus species that you found inyour yard? Sure it’s not the mostcharismatic of fungi, but to yourfriends, neighbors and familymembers it might be the first wildmushroom they’ve seen. That littleLBM has gills, spores, a cap and astalk (or stem), just like many othermushrooms, and therefore lends itsself nicely to explaining the basicsof mushroom identification. Fur-thermore, it’s found in a particularyet common habitat (the lawn) andis known for having a saprotrophiclifestyle— some tidbits of knowl-edge that could be easily shared andcould possibly pique someone’sinterest in the ecology of fungi.Fungi don’t have to be somethingthat is studied far afield or in thelab. Around your home are fungi inunexpected places (not just thebathroom): think of cheese, beer,and penicillin! Help those in yourdaily life to see that fungi are notsomething to fear, but an integral(and delicious) part of both humanand natural systems.

As research in universities,colleges, and non-academic organi-zations such as the USDA ForestService and the Nature Conservancycontinue to rely heavily on molecu-lar methods for the study of fungi,the role of the amateur mycologicalsocieties in engaging and trainingyoung mycologists will become allthe more critical. Opportunities foroutreach and education within thesegroups are innumerable. Addition-ally, more mycological societiescould form collaborations withresearchers that could complementtheir work in the lab. One suchexisting example is the collaborationbetween the Bruns lab at UC–Berkeley, the Mycological Society ofSan Francisco, and the SonomaMycological Association on the Pt.Reyes Myco-blitz (www.mykoweb.com/PtReyes) where multiplemushroom forays in Pt. ReyesNational Seashore have lead to thecreation of a publicly accessibledatabase of the fungi found in thepark. This type of collaboration notonly assists in building understand-

ing between molecular versusmorphological identification offungi, but also helps academicresearchers meet important socialresponsibility criteria set by fundingagencies such as the NationalScience Foundation. Above all, theseforays are fun and get people fromvarious backgrounds outdoors andlooking at fungi. A natural exten-sion of this type of collaborationcould be organizing specific eventsfor children and young adults.

It is my fervent hope that ayounger generation will find thesame delight in mushrooms that Idid and still do today. Coming backto my initial question of what aboutfungi is so compelling, I’d have toanswer that it is not only theintrigue of wild mushroom hunting,but more so of the people who studythem, their enthusiasm for thenatural world, and the knowledgethey have to impart to others.

[The author would like to thankA.S.A. and A.R.A. for valuable feed-back on this article.]

North American Mycological Association6586 Guilford RoadClarksville, MD 21029

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Heimioporus betula, formerly Austroboletusbetula, found in mixed hardwoods on top ofa ridge in Painters Gap, North Carolina atthe Wildacres Foray. Photo by David Rust.More on the Wildacres Foray next issue!

recruiting a new generation of mycologists

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