Fall into Fungi - September

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 at Carrie Murray Nature Center 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. Use this link for William’s blog to discover mushrooms that can be found in our area: http://Fungi – Hiker’s Notebook (hikersnotebook.blog)

Meet Your Guide – 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.                                                      r

William, like most of the people who lead NHSM field trips, is a volunteer. Your money directly supports the programs, the nature collections, and the building that make this kind of nature education possible. Donate or become a member of the Natural History Society of Maryland by visiting https://marylandnature.org/support-maryland-nature/.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate (low-intensity hiking)

Remember to

• Dress according to the weather, layers with non-cotton clothing work best. For sunny days, a hat with a brim may be needed.
• Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking boots or sneakers with non-slip soles that can safely handle slippery surfaces.
• Bring water, snacks, sunblock, bug spray, and for your camera- an extra battery, extra memory card, and lens-cleaning cloth.
• Bring binoculars and a magnifying glass or a hand lens.
• Bring your guidebooks.
• No pets, please.

SPACES ARE LIMITED — The tour should take approximately two hours to complete.  The exact meeting space will be provided when registration and payment are complete.

Cancellation Policy: NHSM Field Experiences – Cancellations made seven or more days in advance of the field experience will receive a refund (minus a $5 processing fee). Cancellations made within the week of the event will not receive a refund but can be transferred to a friend.

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