Natural History Society of Maryland
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Wild Edibles: Morel Hunt with Nick Spero

When
26 Apr 2026
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location
Patapsco Valley State Park
Spaces left
0

Registration

(depends on selected options)

Base fee:

NHSM Members – $35.00
Guest names must be listed on your family membership to qualify for this discount. Extra adults with individual memberships should register independently.
Non Members – $45.00

Join waitlist

If truffles are out of your price range, morels are the next best thing. Prized for taste and versatility by chefs worldwide, morels emerge for only a short time in spring. Knowing where to look for morels is one important factor in the hunt. Lucky for us, Nick Spero knows all the clues. He knows the rich forests where morels grow and how they are intertwined in a symbiotic relationship with certain trees. We’ll learn how indicator plants can tell us when the morel growing season will start and end. And how the right combination of warmth and rain brings morels popping their heads out of the soil.

We will discuss collection methods and how to prepare our findings for optimal taste and nutrition. To limit our impact on the park, let’s concentrate on learning to identify and sample taste rather than foraging, which may damage an area when too much is taken.

Please note that morels are very temperature and moisture-dependent. We will do our best to find them, but like all natural things, we make no guarantees.

Our field trip leader, Nick Spero, spends his retirement outdoors as an avid hunter and fisherman. Primitive technology has piqued his interest since childhood. Here is a video produced by NPR about Nick.

Our meeting location can be found in your registration confirmation email when payment is completed.
Watch for additional details in a welcome email sent a few days before the date.
All participants must be pre-registered. If you are on the waitlist and show up to the event uninvited, you will not be allowed to participate.
Children aged high school and up. All children must meet age requirements and be registered as a guest of their adult.
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, and bug spray.
Bring binoculars and a hand lens or loupe for birding or looking at details, 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 14 or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within 14 days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $25 or less are non-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.

The Natural History Society of Maryland is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and contributions are tax-deductible.

The mission of the Natural History Society of Maryland is to foster stewardship of Maryland’s natural heritage by conserving its natural history collections, educating its citizenry, and inspiring its youth to pursue careers in the natural sciences.