Events and
Members Only Forays
Foray: Members Only
REGISTER HERE, space in limited.
DO NOT REGISTER UNLESS YOU ARE FOR SURE ATTENDING!
Foray Leader Matt Kennedy
This is for WCMA members only. If you are not a member you can become one!
Foray: Members Only
DETAILS: TBD
Foray Leader Jake Renner, WCMA VP
This is for WCMA members only. If you are not a member you can become one!
Matsutake! Presentation
Matsutake 松茸
Matsutake might be the most storied mushroom in the world. Prized in Japan for centuries and wrapped in generations of poetry, it was also central to Indigenous foodways in the Pacific Northwest long before it became a global commodity. This talk digs into what "matsutake" actually means, both linguistically and taxonomically, and untangles the surprisingly complicated web of species around the globe that share the name, from the true Tricholoma matsutake of Japan to Tricholoma murrillianum, found throughout the American West.
Along the way, we'll cover how to tell matsutake apart from its more dangerous lookalikes, what its ecology and tree partnerships look like, and why some matsutake species are now considered vulnerable or endangered. We'll also touch on sustainable harvest practices, the surprisingly wild economics of the international matsutake trade, and attempts to cultivate this famously stubborn mycorrhizal mushroom.
The talk closes in the kitchen, where matsutake truly shines. Expect cleaning and storage tips, a few preservation techniques, and a rundown of favorite ways to cook and eat this singular mushroom, from a simple grill with miso to matsutake ramen.
Bio:
Graham Steinruck is a chef, forager, and mycologist focused on the identification and culinary use of wild fungi. His work brings together time in the field with a background in fine dining, translating wild ingredients into seasonal dishes. He grew up in Colorado, hiking and exploring the Rocky Mountains, and is a certified Wild Mushroom Identification Expert through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), qualified to inspect and approve over 50 species of wild-foraged mushrooms.
Graham is the founder of Biodiversity Collective, an educational initiative connecting people to overlooked organisms through field-based experiences and collaborative research. As an iNaturalist Ambassador and Curator, he brings community science tools into fungal surveys, workshops, mycoblitzes, and DNA-supported projects across the United States.
In the kitchen, his focus is on local, seasonal ingredients, highlighting wild fungi through thoughtful, ingredient-driven dishes. His recipes have been featured in Wild Mushrooms by Trent and Kristen Blizzard and the Fantastic Fungi Community Cookbook by Eugenia Bone.
For more information about Graham's projects, visit biodiversitycollective.org
Foray: Members Only (CANCELLED)
CANCELLED DUE TO LACK OF RAIN!!!
Foray Leader Jake Renner, WCMA VP
This is for WCMA members only. If you are not a member you can become one!
Intro To Colorado Mushrooms and Foraging
ZOOM LINK monday july 6th, 6pm. passcode: 690746
A Refresher talk to get your juices flowing for a great season of mushroom foraging.
Presented By Hamilton Pevec, WCMA president.
FREE AND OPEN TO ALL.
ZOOM LINK monday july 6th, 6pm. passcode: 690746
A Refresher talk to get your juices flowing for a great season of mushroom foraging.
Presented By Hamilton Pevec, WCMA president.
FREE AND OPEN TO ALL.
GALARINA GALA: Mushroom Dance Party
Cancelled until we haved time to plan a party.
We are celebrating 3 years as a club! Music, Mushrooms, Food, and Friends. Dress your best in mushroom style. We are awarding our annual grant to an amazing Colorado mycologist, and raising money to keep myco resources strong for our community and beyond. Stay tuned for details!
Mushroom Terrarium Build Night
Family craft night at WCMA! Lead by Gabriela Mejia. We provide the supplies and you bring the creativity. All are welcome FREE but donations welcome!
Spring Foray - Learn to Voucher
WCMA Spring Foray: Voucher & Document for Science
Join us for a hands-on spring foray led by Hamilton Pevec, WCMA President, focused on the art and science of fungal documentation. This isn't just a mushroom walk, we'll be collecting, photographing, and properly vouchering specimens to contribute to the regional scientific record. Whether you're a seasoned forayer or just getting started, you'll leave knowing how to take field notes that actually matter, how to photograph a specimen for ID and archiving, how to fill out a field data slip, and how to prepare a dried voucher for sequencing and long-term storage.
We'll cover substrate, habit, spore prints, odor notes, and how to log your finds to iNaturalist and Mushroom Observer so your observations live beyond the day.
Location: TBD — expect at least a one-hour drive from the valley. Meeting point will be The Cocoa Club in Carbondale. Plan accordingly and carpool if you can!
What to bring:
Sturdy closed-toe shoes or hiking boots
Layers — mornings are cold, afternoons warm up fast
Rain jacket (just in case)
Sunscreen and a hat
Plenty of water and snacks for a full day out
A full tank of gas and directions downloaded offline
A small knife or scissors and a basket or mesh bag for collecting
Your phone or a camera
A notebook and pencil (field data slips will be provided!)
Any personal medications (inhaler, EpiPen, etc.)
MEMBERS ONLY Sign up here →fill out this form.
SIGN UP ONLY IF YOU PLAN ON ATTEDNING!
not a member? BECOME ONE HERE
Space is limited, register early so we can plan accordingly. All skill levels welcome. Let's go find something worth preserving.
Nature's hidden heroes - and how you can help protect them
Dr. Amy Honan Presents: Nature's hidden heroes - and how you can help protect them
Fungi are among the most important organisms on Earth, yet they remain poorly understood and largely unprotected. They underpin ecosystem health through nutrient cycling, soil formation, and complex partnerships with plants and animals, but many species are still undocumented or overlooked in conservation efforts.
This talk explores fungal conservation across Colorado, including why fungi have been historically excluded from conservation frameworks and how scientists are working to close those gaps. We’ll look at rare and under-documented species, new tools for assessing rarity and abundance, and how mushroom enthusiasts and community scientists can contribute meaningful data through responsible documentation and organized surveys. Whether you’re new to fungi or deeply engaged in mycology, you’ll learn how individual observations can help advance fungal conservation.
Dr. Gordon Walker "Fascinated by Fungi"
Passport to Kingdom Fungi: An introduction to the wild, weird, and wonderful world of mushrooms and fungi
A comprehensive and accessible overview of all the incredible forms that fungi take, the unexpected ways they live, and how they affect our lives. This presentation also covers a variety of edible, toxic, functional, and dye mushrooms.
Dr. Gordon Walker is an award winning speaker, science communicator, published author. Gordon has a PhD in Biochemistry from UC Davis where his research focused on the microbial ecology of wine fermentations and yeast genetics.
His social media channels @FascinatedByFungi have amassed over 3 million cumulative followers, he uses these platforms as a tool to educate the public on mushrooms and advocate for fungal conservation, and environmental sustainability.
His book "Passport to Kingdom Fungi" fundamentally transforms the way people learn about mushrooms and fungi, serving as the go to resource for a whole new generation of mycophiles and people interested in foraging, wild foods, and fermentation."
His full list of my peer reviewed academic publications can be found on his Research Gate Profile. You can connect professionally with me via my LinkedIn Profile.
Sacred Mushroom Cultivation
This event is sold out. sorry.
OVERVIEW & PURPOSE: LEARN TO GROW MUSHROOMS!
Step into sacred cultivation with Jake Renner (VP of WCMA) in a hands-on workshop designed to demystify growing fungi and put real skills in your toolkit. You’ll learn the core fundamentals—sterile technique, culture care, and the mindset of stewardship—so cultivation becomes less “a project” and more a relationship with the living intelligence that feeds, heals, and teaches. This is practical, empowering education for anyone who wants to grow their own medicine with respect, confidence, and community support.
Only 15 spots available.
$15 for WCMA members • $45 for non-members (includes 1-year WCMA membership).
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.
Psychedelic Mushrooms & Intimacy: engaging the somatic. By Jessica Langley
Psychedelic Mushrooms & Intimacy: engaging the somatic
Ben Kinsley Presents: What’s Your Spark Shroom
What’s Your Spark Shroom?
In the birding world, a ‘spark bird’ is that one bird whose presence captures your heart and opens your eyes to the wonder of birds and nature. This talk will begin with a sharing of our SPARK SHROOMS - those mushroom finds that got us all hooked on mycology, and made us want to come to this talk in the first place! Then, Ben will share some of his most memorable fungal encounters from across the United States over the past decade - experiences (such as eating Gyromitra esculenta and living to tell the tale) that continue to serve as catalysts for his lifelong love of mycology. You will also get a sneak peek of a brand new mushroom film created from this year’s costume for the Telluride Mushroom Festival Parade (that definitely should have won ‘Best In Show’ instead of Hamilton).
ZOOM: click HERE pass code: 484560
Ben Kinsley is an artist, educator, and amateur mycologist. He was introduced to the world of mycology through his involvement with the New York Mycological Society where he got hooked through the teachings of renowned mycologist Gary Lincoff. He is a past president and current board member of the Pikes Peak Mycological Society (PPMS) in Colorado Springs. He has led forays with PPMS, the North American Mycological Association (NAMA), and the Telluride Mushroom Festival. Ben has been collaborating with Riitta Ikonen and Jessica Langley on award winning mushroom costumes for the Telluride Mushroom Festival since 2019. They are the subjects of the mockumentary "Fest in Show", and their costumes have been featured in the film "Fantastic Fungi", in Mushroom People Magazine I and II, Travel + Leisure, and Vogue.
Scientific Camping Mushroom Foray on the Grand Mesa
Join Dr Amy Honan of Crested Butte Botanical Gardens, Fungal Diversity Survey, MycoLove Farm’s MycoRoam Van, and Western Colorado Mycological Association for a unique outdoor adventure on the Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-topped mountain! This guided mushroom foray blends camping, community, and hands-on fungi exploration in one of Colorado’s most biodiverse alpine forests with a focus on scientifically documenting fungal biodiversity.
Eagle Mushroom and Wild Food Festival
The Eagle Mushroom & Wild Food Festival returns August 8 – 10, 2025
at the Brush Creek Pavilion in Eagle, Colorado. Join us for three days of deep woods wisdom, wild flavors, and fungal fascination.
Featuring Britt A. Bunyard, editor of FUNGI Magazine, and Gabrielle Cerberville, author and the viral forager behind @chaoticforager.
Expert-led mushroom forays (Sat & Sun) – Forest-to-Table Culinary Dinner at Wild Sage – Free live music Friday night with Sweet Jessup & the Dirty Buckets- -Funga Film Fest- – Hands-on workshops – Mushroom ID Tent for your foraged finds
Whether you’re a seasoned mycophile or just mushroom-curious, this is your invitation to explore the delicious, diverse, and mysterious world of wild food. Full 2025 schedule coming soon—dig into 2024 highlights now and start planning your pilgrimage to the fungi frontier.
WCMA Community Camp
Join the Western Colorado Mycological Association for a relaxed and joyful weekend in the high country at Yeoman Park Campground, nestled at the top of Brush Creek Road. This is not a guided workshop or structured retreat — it’s a self-organized, community-style camping experience for those who love mushrooms, music, and the great outdoors.
Jon Sommer: Mushroom Identification
ZOOM DETAILS: https://zoom.us/j/99482416011?pwd=b1CNwwhGJo6A219ZYgAIjhxdkhUAd2.1
passcode: 758055
Jon Sommer has led mushroom forays, given lectures on a range of mycological topics, and taught
mushroom identification across the U.S. for more than 45 years. He is a well-known speaker and
presenter for mycological Societies and Forays across the country. He received a Bachelor’s degree in
University of California, Davis. He has studied mushroom identification with notable mycologists
including Drs. David Largent, Orson K Miller, Jr and Harry D. Thiers. A resident of Colorado for 30
years, and now living on the Oregon coast, Jon has in-depth knowledge of fungi across the US and
particularly northern California and Oregon. He is the immediate Past President of the Colorado
Mycological Society and is the current Vice President of the Lincoln County Mycological Society.
Shane Schoolman
Co-Founder & CEO/CSO, MyCOLove Farm
Co-Creator, MycoReach
zoomlink - passcode: 603912
“Introduction to Ethnomycology: Fungi in Culture, Healing, and Ecology”
Lecture Description:
This engaging lecture introduces students to the world of ethnomycology, the study of human relationships with fungi across cultures and history. Focusing primarily on North American Indigenous traditions, we’ll explore how mushrooms have been used for medicine, food, spirituality, and ecological stewardship. From healing broths and puffball poultices to sacred psilocybin rituals and sustainable foraging practices, fungi reveal themselves as powerful cultural and biological allies.
The lecture blends myth, science, and storytelling, offering students a multidimensional look at the role fungi play in shaping human experience. We’ll also discuss modern developments in mycoremediation, fungal conservation, and the rising interest in mushrooms as tools for sustainability and health.
Designed to inform and inspire, this session is ideal for anyone curious about the cultural, medicinal, and ecological significance of fungi in human life.
Shane Schoolman, CEO and Co-Founder of MyCOLove Farm, holds a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from CU Boulder and has been immersed in mycology research and practice since 2016. With a passion for cultivation, extraction, education, and mycoremediation, Shane bridges science and sustainability to empower others in exploring the world of the Fungal Queendom.
At MycoLove Farm, the mission is clear: To Heal Through Biodiversity. As a USDA Organic and vertically integrated mushroom company, MyCOLove oversees every step of the process—from "Farm to Bottle"—to deliver premium, sustainable mushroom products. Shane's innovative approach to extraction, including pioneering Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction (UAE) techniques, ensures that MycoLove produces full-spectrum, potent, and standardized extracts for health and wellness.
As Co-Creator of MycoReach, Shane extends his commitment to community and innovation by fostering accessibility and collaboration in applied mycology. MycoReach bridges the gap between the myco-curious and the myco-serious, empowering citizen scientists with open-source tools, workshops, and resources. From its Mobile Myco Lab to its ambitious culture bank initiative, MycoReach embodies Shane’s vision to transform curiosity into discovery and create a more sustainable future through fungi.
Alexis Murray
Toxin Profiles in Wild Mushrooms: Risk, Recognition, and Response.
Wild mushrooms can be a culinary treasure—or a hidden danger. This session is designed for chefs, food safety professionals, and curious foragers who want to better understand which mushrooms are safe to serve and which to steer clear of. We’ll cover common toxic species in Colorado, edible lookalikes, and the toxins behind the trouble—plus what to do if a wild harvest goes wrong—so you can enjoy the flavor without the fear.
Alexis is the president-elect of Colorado Mycological Society
Zoome details: https://zoom.us/j/91458539674?pwd=991EeX6KlR97exL3yBpI1grZ3qr1ZS.1
Code: 606755
Snowbank Foray
This is a members only Foray, SIGN UP HERE IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER.
inspired by Amy Honan’s talk in May we are heaind out to document and seek the elusive snow melt, snow bank fungi on McClure Pass.
Meet up is 8AM at Pollinator Chocolate (The Cocoa Club)
Departure is 8:30AM
second meet up is McClure Pass parking lot at top
check your email for details, and registration form.
From Frost to Fungi: The Secrets of Snowbank Mushrooms
From Frost to Fungi: The Secrets of Snowbank Mushrooms
With Dr. Amy Honan
Mycena overholstii
As the snowbanks recede after a long winter, some of the first stirring signs of life are fungi. Come explore the magical world of these emerging mushrooms, just waking up after their winter hibernations. We’ll look at the diversity of fungi that can be found along snowbanks. As an added bonus, you’ll get a first look at the mushrooms included in the Rocky Mountain Rare Fungi Challenge. Several species in the challenge are snowbank associates. Will you be the first to document one of these rare snowbank fungi in the Rocky Mountains?
zoom info to come later.
Bday Potluck
We are skipping the dance party this year for a mellow meal. Wednesday April 30th, 6-9pm at the Cocoa Club in Carbondale Colorado. The cocoa club will open the bar for us just in case you are feeling thirsty for something more than bubbly water.
This is a members + family + friends event so ALL ARE WELCOME! Bring something yummy to share and a card with ingredients to display.
We are awarding this years scholarship of $500 to someone practicing mycology. Who Could it be?!?!? Be there to find out!
We are doing a retrospective slide show, so if you have WCMA photos you want included please email them to me ASAP.
I am really excited to share food with you all and sincerely hope you can make it, see you soon.
mush love, Hamilton
WCMA President
Burn Morels - How to Find and Forage in Western Colorado and Across the West
Burn Morels - How to Find and Forage in Western Colorado and Across the West
Trent Blizzard, an experienced burn morel hunter, will explain how these pyrophilous fungi work and the secrets to finding them in Colorado. For the mycotourist, Trent will also discuss travelling to nearby states and making an old wildfire your next vacation destination.
Trent and Kristen Blizzard are the creators of the Modern Forager blog and the newly released GeoForager mushroom hunting maps/apps. They are also the authors of Wild Mushrooms: A Cookbook and Foraging Guide. Based in Reedsport Oregon, Trent and Kristen (along with their crazy doodles, Benzie and Lulu) chase burn morels and many other types of wild mushrooms across Oregon and North America. They lived in Colorado for 20+ years before recently relocating to the PNW. Both are certified Wild Mushroom Identification Experts (in Colorado) and Trent is the President of the North American Mycological Association.
GeoForager, Burn Morels!
Exploring the Clinical Landscape of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Exploring the Clinical Landscape of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
HERE ARE THE ZOOM DEETS:
https://zoom.us/j/92248103538?pwd=yNu8abEaKlNV4egdIfaibnr0yl0Y19.1
code: 308603
Join us for an engaging discussion on the evolving field of psychedelic therapy. We'll delve into current clinical applications, treatment models, and the critical role of integration in fostering lasting therapeutic outcomes. This conversation will explore the potential of psychedelics to address various mental health conditions and promote holistic well-being. Through stories and real-life examples, Dr. Sophia will illustrate the potency and transformative potential of this work.
Microdosing Practicum
Learn everything you need to know.
At Carbondale Community School, (main entrance)
What is Microdosing?
How to Microdose and why?
Dosing and Potency
Testing
Resources - studies, Books, Experts
Use protocols - Delivery Mechanisms
Club Meeting w/Greg Sanchez
Our first meeting back from the holiday IN OUR NEW FOREVER HOME at CCS < location.
Presentation Title: Entheogenic Mycolotry and Ethnomycology of Mesoamerica
As a subfield of Ethnobotany or Ethnobiology, Ethnomycology focuses on the roles and relationships of fungi within the human experience. Our current psychedelic renaissance owes a huge debt to ancient sacred practices held by numerous indigenous groups around the world. Mesoamerican cultures in particular and their associations with sacred mushrooms from the genus Psilocybe are both fascinating as well as mysterious, and hold an essential role in the evolution of Ethnomycology and psychedelic science. This talk will focus on indigenous Mesoamerican spiritual and cultural uses of entheogenic mushrooms, many from the genus Psilocybe. Much of my emphasis will explore past research done by R. Gordon and Valentina Wasson and other pioneers in Ethnomycology. We will also examine the importance of Maria Sabina, her sacred mushroom ceremony, and Velada.
Greg Sanchez
Greg Sanchez knew nothing about mushrooms until 2004 when he wondered, “What do you do at a mushroom festival?” After attending the Telluride Mushroom Festival that year, he found out, sparking a lasting fascination with and a deep passion for all things fungal. Greg is a high school Social Studies teacher in the Denver metro area and an active member of the Colorado Mycological Society, serving in various roles including CMS President in 2011, 2014, and 2022. Although he considers himself a generalist and amateur when it comes to mycology, his social science background brings him a special interest towards the human and cultural connections with mushrooms, mushroom people, and Ethnomycology.
Fungi Film Fest
It’s that time of the year again to celebrate the weird world of Fungi Cinema! Save the date and tell your friends!
Club Meeting
Presenter TBD, let us know if you want to present! Maybe a Deadly Fungi Presentation
10 most deadly fungi
I’m gonna give you a reason to be scared of certain fungi!
Costumes and treats are encouraged.
see you there.
Zoom into this infectious event!
Topic: 10 Most Deadly Fungi - By Hamilton Pevec
Time: Oct 29, 2024 06:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92844726972?pwd=myGX7KWNNK5RacXdGGMoRfiaFUPb7k.1
Meeting ID: 928 4472 6972
Passcode: 776509
Club Meeting
Club Potluck! Special In person Event….
Tuesday Sep 24th, 6-8PM at the Carbondale Library Community Room (enter through parking lot side entrance)
Bring your fungal flavors to share! (non mushroom dishes welcome too)
Write your recipe down
Make sure you are using edible mushrooms
Bring your friends and family!
Bring your own bowl/plate/cup/cutlery
Connect with our community, reminisce about another epic season and swap stories. This potluck is FREE and OPEN TO EVERYONE.
We have grown as a club and as a community this season and its time to rally, reflect and reunite.
mush love
Hamilton
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL LIST of DATES
We are an all volunteer 501-c3 organization and we redistribute members dues to keep the club open and to offer honorariums to our presenters, and foray leaders.
Expert Guided Foray (members only)
Guide and location TBD, check back here for sign up form. limited to 11 people.
end of season foray!