The forest floor is bursting with life thanks to the damp winter weather, with everything from turkey tails to chanterelles popping up. But before you hit the trails to explore the redwood ecosystem, brushing up on some fungi fundamentals is best. Lucky for you, POST has recorded a pair of cap-tivating talks that will give you the know-how you need about Bay Area mushrooms in no time. 

Whether you’re a seasoned shroom sleuth or a fungal first-timer, these talks will help you see mushrooms in a new light (or maybe a soft, misty glow beneath the towering trees). And, thanks to the magic of YouTube, you can follow along at your own pace!

INTRODUCING CHRISTIAN SCHWARZ

Author Christian Shwarz poses with some Bay Area mushroomsChristian Schwarz, a Santa Cruz-based mushroom enthusiast, taxonomist, and citizen science advocate, is your trusty guide on this mycelium mission. In addition to the accolades above, Schwarz is the expert co-author of Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast, a book that helps beginning and experienced mushroom hunters find and identify mushrooms. In these two talks, you’ll learn the fundamentals of mushroom science and gain Schwarz’s insights into these remarkable organisms.

 

FUNGI FUNDAMENTALS: A TWO-PART SERIES

Fungi Fundamentals Part I: Science & Ecology of Bay Area Mushrooms

Enjoy a 90-minute informational tour through the fungal landscape of the Bay Area. 

 

Fungi Fundamentals Part II: Top 10 Mushrooms of the Bay Area

Learn everything you need to know about the most-common Bay Area mushrooms. Gain critical ID tips and information on look-alikes for your time on the trail. And for your time in the grocery store and kitchen, explore flavor profiles and cooking ideas that will elevate your culinary game.

 

HOW TO RECREATE RESPONSIBLY WHILE EXPLORING BAY AREA MUSHROOMS

Know Before You Go

Foraging is off-limits in local open spaces. That’s because mushrooms play a vital role in the ecosystem, and removing them can disrupt the delicate forest balance. Always check land-use rules before considering any kind of collection, and remember: private land always requires permission.

Stay on the Trail

Mushrooms love their habitats, and so should we! Going off-trail can harm fragile fungi, trample native plants, spread invasive species, and cause erosion. Tread carefully and let these magical organisms thrive.

READY, SET, LEARN!

We hope you enjoy digging in to your fungi fundamentals. You’ll be a Bay Area mushroom expert in no time. Once the knowledge is firm in your noggin, you’ll be ready to lace up your boots, grab your field guide (or just your curiosity), and marvel at the marvelous mushrooms of the redwood forests—responsibly, of course!

About Post

Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all. Since its founding in 1977, POST has been responsible for saving more than 90,000 acres as permanently protected land in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. Learn more

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