Fall for Fungi, October

Turkey tail, chicken of the woods, and scrambled egg slime. We aren’t talking poultry here. Get your camera out rather than your deep-fryer, and join us for our fall mushroom hunt with master mycologist William Needham. Let’s wander the trails to search for fungi that catch our eyes with unique coloring or gill placement and our ears with their odd name combinations.

And while fall is a perfect time to search for fungi, nothing is guaranteed. Keep in mind that destroying angel or inky cap could be growing just around the next corner, and enjoy the day regardless of the number of mushrooms found during the hike.

Our leader, William Needham, is the former president of the Mycological Association of Washington, with extensive field and practical experience with fungi. He is also a Master Naturalist in Maryland. He is active with several hiking and nature groups in the area and writes and co-edits hiking guides for the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. He co-edited Hikes in the Washington Area, Part A, which includes Montgomery and Frederick Counties. His recently published book, The Compleat Ambler, is based in part on the blog Hiker’s Notebook, which was originally hosted on the Sierra Club Potomac Regional Outings website.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate hike with many stops. There is one short downhill section that may be rocky.

• Our meeting location can be found in your registration confirmation email when payment is complete.
• Watch for additional details in a welcome email sent a few days before the date.
• Children over the age of 10 are welcome.
• Dress according to the weather. Layers of clothing work best. Include a hat for sun protection or warmth, depending on the season.
• Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking or athletic shoes with non-slip soles that can safely handle slippery surfaces.
• Bring water, snacks, sunblock, bug spray, and a camera with accessories.
• Bring binoculars and a hand lens or loupe for birding or looking at details, if you have them.
• Bring your guidebooks, if you have them.
• Bring a first aid kit for your personal use.
• No pets, please.
• All events are held rain or shine. If any event is cancelled due to severe weather, you will receive an email or text. If you do not receive a weather-related email, the trip will proceed as planned.

NEW – Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made seven or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within seven days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $10 or less are not refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.