For our featured presentation, we are thrilled to welcome Bill Yule, who will tell us about “Bugs, Slugs, and Other Mushroom Thugs!” Bill’s talk will explore the interconnections and coevolutionary trends among fungi and other organisms within forest ecosystems from a bio-centric rather than a human-centric point of view. Fungi have coevolved with all of the other members of forest ecosystems, and these interconnections represent the dynamic diversity that illuminates healthy, functioning forests.

Other activities planned include a mushroom safety talk, a tree identification walk, a workshop on making mushroom dyes, a cultivation discussion, mushroom trivia, a silent auction, and, of course, mushroom collecting walks and ID sessions, good food, and conversation.

Meals are included with foray registration and will be provided Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday morning. Rustic cabin lodging is also included. The grounds are well suited for tent camping if you want to bring your tent and camp outside.

Note: You must be 18 years of age or older to attend this event.

More about our guest presenter: 

Bill Yule is a retired High School Biology teacher, Environmental Educator, Naturalist, and amateur Mycologist. In addition, he taught Ecology and Environmental Education at The Connecticut River Museum for 20 years. He has been active in mycological education for 30-plus years and has given more than 100 education programs throughout the country. He is a member and educator for four local “Mushroom clubs”:  Connecticut Valley Mycological Society, CT/Westchester Mycological Association, New York Mycological Society, and Pioneer Valley Mycological Association, as well as a past Board member of the North American Mycological Association. Current interests are fungal ecology, forest and watershed ecology, and all things fungal. Bill is focused on the evolution of co-adapted species in forest ecosystems through the lens of fungi and their associations. He currently works for the State of Connecticut Agricultural Research Station Mycology Lab doing macrofungi biodiversity surveys of Connecticut’s major watershed.