WCMA PRESIDENT

Hamilton is a documentary filmmaker and a self described Ethnomycologist. He has been hunting, growing and studying fungi since 2009. He loves the stories that surround mushrooms. In order to make films about fungi he started an organic mushroom extract company to finance his mycology films, events and educational efforts. His company Hamilton's Mushrooms does wholesale to other brands, organizes mycology events, and supports mycology wherever possible. Hamilton lives in Carbondale Colorado with his wife and 2 children.

WCMA VICE PRESIDENT

Jake has been foraging his own food and medicines for about a decade and enjoys nourishing himself with the bounty of the forest. He is passionate about herbalism, natural wellness, and establishing food sovereignty. Jake offers to lead individuals on forays via Colorado Mountain Foraging, so that they may connect with Mother Earth and establish relations with certain plants, fungi and animals. Jake lives in El Jebel and works closely with his friends at Toadstool Traditions, Stick and Bindle, and Grow Green Now- catch him at the Aspen Farmers Market this Summer.

WCMA BOARD SECRETARY

Gabriela E Mejia is a versatile artist whose passion for the arts sprouted at the age of five in Honduras. Her family later relocated to the United States, where she continued to myceliate her talents in music, arts, and culture. Today, she is a professional fine artist, teacher, muralist, crafter, graphic designer, dancer, and musician, enriched by her travels both domestically and abroad. Her business, GEMART LLC, forms symbiotic relationships with various organizations in the RF valley. Follow her: www.instagram.com/one_gemart

WCMA TREASURER

Raleigh Burleigh is native to Western Colorado and works presently as editor-in-chief at The Sopris Sun, a weekly nonprofit newspaper serving English and Spanish readers in the Roaring Fork Valley and surrounding area. His work experience includes audio news production and photography. Raleigh joins the WCMA team with enthusiasm for all things living. 

Jennifer's interest in fungi began during backcountry adventures, where spotting mushrooms led to a passion for identifying and foraging them.

Originally from Campeche, Mexico, Jennifer moved to Colorado at 16 and has called the Roaring Fork Valley home since 2010.

Jennifer and her husband are passionate about sustainable living, often sourcing their food through hunting and foraging. She loves cooking with wild mushrooms and keeps a well-stocked pantry to enjoy them even in the non-foraging months.

Jane is a children’s book writer, open water distance swimmer, maker, forager, grower, and general foodie. She has been fungally obsessed since 2018, when she found herself stewarding a piece of land that offered up natural morels in the spring. It is safe to say that Jane has been myceliated for life. Jane lives in Carbondale, Colorado with her husband and, now that their three children have flown the coop, a small collection of unruly but adorable animals.

After living and working on several organic farms, the love of cultivating mushrooms occured 11 years ago and I have not stopped since.

I have lived in many places, but nowhere as long as the Roaring Fork Valley at 15 years. As an autodidact, jack of all trades, mycology has required many interdisiplianry interests such as building, electrical wiring, farming, producing medicine and making a positive differece in the community.