Events

What to expect from forays

During the mushroom season (approximately May to October) MMS typically hosts two forays per month on weekend days, sometimes with an additional or special foray. Before joining us on forays, please review our bylaws for expectations about community interactions and our guidelines for ethical harvest for best practices in the field. The events schedule is liable to change due to inclement weather or other unforeseen factors. If you’d like you can email the MMS Board of Directors (madison.mycological.society@gmail.com) to confirm that the foray is happening. We typically send out an email to our mailing list in the event that a foray is cancelled. Forays typically occur from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM on Saturdays and 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM on Sundays.

Forays typically begin with all participants meeting at the starting point (typically a parking lot or park shelter), and once everyone is ready we head out into the wild. Depending on the size of number of attendees, the foray may move as a single group, roughly following a trail, or may break into smaller groups with some other foray members heading out off trail separate from the group as well. We find, take pictures, and when appropriate, collect the fungi we find fruiting out in the foray location at the time. 

Around half an hour before the end time of the foray, we reconvene near where we started to group and identify as many of specimens are we are able. Once we have grouped specimens by species, foray leaders will discuss and describe the specimens found -- we call this a table talk. During this talk foray leaders (or anyone else!) can perform identifications, answer questions about the identity, edibility, toxicity, ecology, or other general mycology of the fungi from that day, or just share knowledge about fungi in general.

What to bring to a foray:

When planning for a foray it helps to have the right gear. Here's some things we recommend attendees bring:

• Something to carry specimens! Often a bag (ideally paper) or a basket for collecting finds, but really this can be any recepticle that can easily hold mushrooms. Plastic grocery bags are not ideal but can work in a pinch (and can be good for helping to clear up trash found on trails), however, baskets, mesh bags, paper bags or cloth bags are recommended for cleaner harvest.

• Appropriate clothes for the weather. Since our forays are in spring, summer and fall, light clothing is often better. Additionally, foray sites will often have thorny plants (e.g. roses, prickly ash, nettles, etc.), mosquitoes, and especially ticks (don't forget to check yourself over after the foray!), all of which are common in the places we hunt. Long pants, closed toed boots and higher socks are recommended if you plan to frequently go off trail. The ground may also be muddy if it just rained before one of our forays, so we recommend waterproof boots and other clothes that can handle a little mud for such days. 

• Water and sometimes a snack. Forays typically still happen on hot summer days (though we have canceled for extreme heat advisories), so be sure to bring plenty of water based on the forecast. Likewise, having a snack for yourself (or to share) can be very welcome. 

• Sunscreen and other sun protection. Sunscreen is also recommended, even though most of our forays occur in the shade of trees, it's best to keep your skin protected. A hat can help to protect yourself as well. 

• Bug spray. Mushrooms and other fungi need moisture, which often means they co-occur with mosquitos and other pests. A bug spray that works well for you (and possibly one you're willing to share) is very welcome. Foray leaders often will have a can or a few varieties, but not always!

• Foraging tools. A small pocket knife, shears, or similar tool for clean harvest and cutting of mushrooms for identification purposes. Sometimes a loupe or handlens can come in handy for identification as can a small brush (toothbrushes can work great for this) to remove dust or dirt from specimens.

• Enthusiasm for fungi! The most important ingredient to a succefful foray.

We often will have boot brushes available for attendees to prevent the spread of invasive species, MMS branded mesh bags (for sale), bug spray, magnifying glasses, egg cartons or similar vessels for delicate mushrooms, field guides, and some other resources necessary for the foray. Feel free to bring any of these materials of your own as well!

Interested in leading a foray? 

We are always looking for more people who would like to help organize forays. A foray leader does not have to be an expert of mycology or edible fungi, just somebody who is responsible and excited to bring people together around mushrooms! If you are interested in leading or helping with an MMS foray, check out our 'How to run a foray" guide for more information.

If you would like an idea of what edible fungi you can expect to find at forays, check out our MMS Seasonality Guide To Edible Fungi in Southern Wisconsin (Also available on our Resources page).

Last, here are the staments we usually share at the beginning of every foray

Land Acknowledgment

Although land acknowledgement is not nearly sufficient in addressing these issues and their history, we would like to acknowledge that the Madison Mycological Society was founded on and operates within the traditional and current homelands of the Ho Chunk people. Though the US government attempted to remove the Ho Chunk through coercive treaties and violent relocation campaigns, the nation persisted in fighting for their right to live with and protect their ancestral lands. We recognize and strive to combat the continuing white supremacy and colonialism in the fields of ecology, botany, and mycology, as well as the overwhelming culture of privilege and exclusion in outdoor recreation and education.

Disclaimer on Consuming Wild Edibles

To the extent possible under all present laws and regulations, we, the Madison Mycological Society are not responsible for things that go into your mouth. We are happy to provide general guidelines and identificaiton, but it is ultimately up to an individual (and their confidence in their own understanding of what something is) to decide whether or not t consume something. Please do not eat things if you don't know what they are