Laguna Mushroom Foray and Identification Workshop with Darvin DeShazer

Join us for a day of exploring and learning about local mushrooms in and around the Laguna de Santa Rosa Watershed. We’ll start the day in Heron Hall with hot drinks and snacks and a brief introductory talk about collecting wild mushrooms. Then we’ll head out for a couple hours (rain or shine) to forage for anything fungal from the decomposers to the mycorrhizal mushrooms. We’ll return to enjoy lunch together (bring your own lunch) and spend the afternoon displaying, identifying, and talking about the fresh specimens and answering questions. Participants are also welcome to bring in mushrooms from around their home for identification.

The foraging part of this event will not be wheelchair accessible and might require walking on uneven terrain for 1-2 miles at the most. This event will take place rain or shine, and is suitable for ages 12 years and older. Children must be accompanied by an adult. We hope you’ll join us for this great fungal adventure!

Darvin DeShazer is a retired Science teacher. His scientific training was guided by Dr. David Largent at Humboldt State University where Darvin obtained a degree in Biology and teaching certificates in Life Science and Chemistry. He was one of the cofounders of the Sonoma County Mycological Association, creator of the club scholarship program and serves as the Science Advisor. His expertise in mushrooms stems from 40 years in the field and a personal library of over 1,000 mushroom books. His love for hunting mushrooms has resulted in over 9,000 color photos on MushroomObserver.org.