This is a member-only event.
Face masks required.

6:30 pm – OMS Mushroom Identification Session
If you have found mushrooms that are in good condition, wrap them in waxed paper, aluminum foil, or a put them in a paper bag and bring them (with a spore print, if possible). Bring your field guide to reference the mushrooms that are on display.

7:00 OMS Society Business: Announcements, Introductions, or Short Presentations

7:15 pm Presentation: For the Love of Ascomycetes: Morels, Truffles and More. In this talk, Dr. Beug will dive into the spectacular and diverse world of Ascomycete fungi in the Pacific Northwest including new species that were recently discovered. What are Ascomycetes? What sets them apart and makes them so unusual? You’ll learn not just about the edibles ranging from morels to truffles but also their fungal habitats, amazing lifestyles, and roles as plant pathogens and panaceas.

Speaker: Mike Beug holds a PhD in organic chemistry and is Professor Emeritus of Evergreen state College. He started mushrooming in 1968 and since that time has contributed to and influenced the field of mycology, not only through his own works and discoveries of over 100 new mushroom species, but also mentoring a handful of today’s great mycologists such as Paul Stamets, Jonathan Ott, and Jeremy Bigwood. Since 1974 he’s been a member of the North American Mycological Association where he chaired the toxicology committee, edited the Journal McIlvainea and wrote 25 free PowerPoint mushroom identification programs. Also since time, he’s also been a member of the Pacific Northwest Key Council; a group dedicated to writing keys for mushroom identification and producing the free MycoMatch program with nearly 7,000 photos of over 2,500 species and detailed descriptions of over 4,500 species. His own photographs have appeared in over 80 books and articles. He is the fungi photo editor for the University of British Columbia E-Flora website and supplies mushroom photos to the Burke Museum (University of Washington). His latest book is Mushrooms of Cascadia: An Illustrated Key. He specializes in the Ascomycota and researched oak-associated fungi, especially Cortinarius. In 2017, mushroom expert Paul Stamets of Fungi Perfecti, created the Mike Beug Scholarship. Mike’s website is www.mushroomsofcascadia.com.