Acton Conservation Trust members and friends enjoyed a beautiful fall day during a joint event with Boston Mycological Club (BMC) on Sunday, October 1. Around 100 people from the two groups gathered at Wills Hole Conservation Land to search for mushrooms. Armed with baskets and special curved fungus knives with a brush on one end, the foragers broke into groups and spread out along the trails of Wills Hole.
Jonathan Kranz of BMC led one of the groups, and suggested beginners learn about the mushrooms on both ends of the spectrum: mushrooms which were highly edible and mushrooms which were deadly. Most of the mushrooms found during the Wills Hole walk fell somewhere in between. Following the collection walk, the foragers laid out many of their finds on a table for viewing and identification.
Leaders, including David Babik, President of BMC, gave detailed observations and information about many of the mushrooms, each observation giving a clue as to the identity. Latin and common names were given, along with common “copycat” mushrooms, which might challenge correct identification. BMC was very welcoming and inclusive to beginner and experienced mushroomers alike.
The Acton Conservation Trust is a non-profit, non-governmental organization devoted to the preservation of open space in Acton. The Boston Mycological Club seeks to increase knowledge and appreciation of fungi through lectures, walks and informational resources.
Jody Harris is a Trustee of the Acton Conservation Trust. This article is adapted from the website of the Acton Conservation Trust.
