u/Amazing-Piece-82

Want to learn about foraging for gourmet local fungi? Learn how to find mushrooms by learning what habitats they grow in. Discover which ones are edible and which ones are toxic by learning identification skills. Come on your own and meet nature enthusiasts, or bring a friend! Join our incredible guides in the beautiful forests of Sonoma, Santa Cruz, and Nevada City on Nov 14, 15, 21, or 22; dates are filling up quickly. All classes are from 10am-2pm. Visit our website to register: www.forkinthepath.org/schedule

Haven't had the chance to join us on the Sonoma Coast (NorCal) to forage for fresh uni? We've just announced our last dates of the year! All the rest are full! Learn how to find, harvest, and enjoy eating delicious uni! Purple urchin are native to Calfornia, but their population is wildly overgrown because their predators have died off. As a result, they are decimating kelp and abalone habitat. We can help bring the intertidal zone back into balance by eating them! The best part is, they are DELICIOUS! Led by our wonderful ocean guides, Ryn, Maria, and Christopher. www.forkinthepath.org/schedule

Nevada City Campout: This multi-day outdoor retreat combines camping and farm-to-table meals with hands-on foraging, plant medicine workshops, basket weaving, & river activities.

Making Tasty Treats with Acorns & Bay Nuts: Participants go on a short tree identification walk and learn hands-on methods for shelling, winnowing, leaching, and preparing acorns and bay nuts into delicious edible treats.

Into the Ancestral Realm, A Ritual Journey: Connect with seasonal nature shifts, ancestors, and deep wisdom through a guided ceremony and evening reflection.

Mussel Class (Mussel Foraging): A coastal adventure where participants learn the safety protocols and sustainable harvesting techniques needed to gather wild mussels, followed by a seaside tasting.

Mushroom Medicine: An experiential workshop that teaches practical at-home techniques to turn medicinal fungi into beneficial tinctures, teas, and remedies.

Mushroom Foraging: A guided educational walk covering foundational identification skills, safety protocols for distinguishing edible species from toxic lookalikes, and mindful harvesting techniques. Offered in Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Nevada City.

More info: www.forkinthepath.org/schedule

Upcoming Fall Classes with Fork in the Path:

Acorn & Bay Nut Processing (Oct 2 & 17): Learn techniques for gathering, leaching, and transforming wild acorns and California bay laurel nuts into nutritious treats.

Nevada City River Foraging Campout (Oct 8–11): Spend a four-day immersive weekend along the Yuba River honing wild plant identification, basketry, wild sodas, acorns & bay nuts, swimming and saunaing.

Sunset Urchin (Uni) Foraging (Oct 27): Explore the low-tide rocky intertidal zone along the Sonoma Coast to sustainably harvest and prepare fresh purple sea urchin.

Into the Ancestral Realm, A Ritual Journey (Oct 31): Connect with seasonal nature shifts, ancestors, and deep wisdom through a guided ceremony and evening reflection.

Coastal Mussel Foraging & Harvesting (Nov 7 & 8): Gain hands-on experience ethically harvesting wild California mussels and feasting in community.

Mushroom Medicine Making (Nov 8): Learn at-home techniques used to make several medicinal forms: liquids, powders, and topicals. Take home a 1oz tin of medicinal salve you help make.

Nevada City River Foraging Campout Oct 8-11

This retreat includes 3 nights of camping with hot showers, all meals chef-prepared with farm and foraged fresh ingredients, and 4 days of Sierra Foothills ecological and foraging programming, including:

-swimming in the Yuba River

-edible & medicinal plant foraging

-basket weaving from gourds & pine needles

-making natural sodas

-acorn & bay nuts

-nighttime music jams

We'll be camping together on a beautiful ranch with hot showers, a sauna, and a campfire that's 5 minutes from the 49 Crossing.

It's going to be a wonderful way to end the warm season and welcome in fall!

#nevadacity #yubariver #sierranevada #campout #foraging

more info: www.forkinthepath.org/schedule

Nevada City River Foraging Campout Oct 8-11

This retreat includes 3 nights of camping with hot showers, all meals chef-prepared with farm and foraged fresh ingredients, and 4 days of Sierra Foothills ecological and foraging programming, including:

-swimming in the Yuba River

-edible & medicinal plant foraging

-basket weaving from gourds & pine needles

-making natural sodas

-acorn & bay nuts

-nighttime music jams

We'll be camping together on a beautiful ranch with hot showers, a sauna, that's 5 minutes from the 49 Crossing.

It's going to be a wonderful way to end the warm season and welcome in fall!

#nevadacity #yubariver #sierranevada #campout #foraging

more info: www.forkinthepath.org/schedule

Join fiber artist Abeni Pierson this Sat in Berkeley from 10am-4pm, and learn how to make and decorate gorgeous baskets with homegrown gourds and pine needles.

Recommended for ages 12 to adults.

More info: www.forkinthepath.org

Upcoming foraging adventures:

Traditional Foods, Medicines, and Songs of the Land (Sept 8): Kashia Pomo tribal member Joe Salinas shares indigenous perspectives, songs, and dances that honor the land.

Basket Weaving Workshop with Gourd & Pine (Sept 12): Participants learn fundamental basketry skills to construct their own hand-woven basket from pine needles and gourds.

Stumped No More - Mycorrhizal Tree ID Class for Mushroom Hunters (Sept 13): Dr. Cat Adams leads an interactive workshop that teaches mushroom hunters how to identify key host trees using bark, leaves, and cones. (ALMOST FULL)

Regenerative Mushroom Cultivation (Sept 19): This hands-on course covers practical techniques for growing edible and medicinal fungi at home using substrates like woodchips, straw, and logs.

Making Tasty Treats with Acorns & Bay Nuts (Sept 20, Oct 2, 10, 17): Attendees discover how to properly identify, harvest, process, and cook delicious food using native California acorns and bay nuts.

Nevada City Foraging Campout (Oct 8–11): A multi-day outdoor gathering featuring acorns, basketry, wild sodas, edible & medicinal plants, sauna relaxation, and immersive foraging instruction near the beautiful Yuba River.

More info: www.forkinthepath.org

Far West Fungi is one of the largest mushroom growers in California. They've been closed to visitors since 2019, so it's really exciting that they're inviting people to come see the farm again!

Want to learn about foraging wild mushrooms in the Northern California? Join Carrie for a free talk that covers edible and toxic species that are common to the SF Bay Area region. All ages are welcome.

Choose from 5 Bay Area dates (all free!)

• 10/13 Burlingame Library 6:30pm
• 10/14 Benicia Library 6 pm
• 10/17 Larkspur Library 11 am
• 10/20 Mill Valley Library 6 pm
• 11/23 Menlo Park Library 3:30pm

more info: www.forkinthepath.org/classes

Mushroom Foraging Classes Sierra Nevada Mountains

-> register here

What You'll Learn

This experiential, hands-on half-day foraging class is all about the fascinating world of Sierra Nevada fungi and plants. We’ll be targeting morels and porcini, and learning about all the vibrant montane ecology around us along the way. We’ll explain what happens in the forest after a fire, both ecologically and from a human management perspective. We’ll cover mushroom and plant anatomy for identification, mycorrhizal relationships (fungal- tree/plant partnerships at the mycelial/root level), poisonous and edible mushrooms, and forest safety. Find the mythical “fairy fart” mushroom, the gorgeous purple cup fungi, and more! The program also includes ethics of harvesting, community building, mindful movement, a cooking demo, and a tasting at the end. Learning to forage for mushrooms is an ongoing life path. This program will teach you the foundational skills to go out foraging on your own.

Where and When

Dates are individual classes, not a series, all 10am-3pm
May 2, 3, 9, 10, in El Dorado National Forest
May 16, 17, 30, 31 in either El Dorado National Forest or Tahoe National Forest (pending conditions)

Exact meetup location is provided one week before your class date. Please note, of all the places where we offer mushroom foraging classes, the mountains are the most variable and hardest to predict. While we can’t guarantee exactly what we’ll find, we scout ahead of time to make our best effort to set you up for success.s.

All Star Instructors Include:
Taye Bright (she/her, they/them) is a mycologist, naturalist, artist and all-around biophile passionate about fungal ecology, community science, and conservation. Taye holds B.S. in Biology and Environmental Science, certifications in Ecosystem Restoration Design, and is a certified UC California Naturalist. She is currently pursuing her MSc in Mycology at California State East Bay studying fungal biodiversity of rare and threatened ecosystem types in California. Outside of her research, she leads classes, courses, workshops, and walks around California and beyond, focusing on increasing accessibility of mycological and ecological education outside of conventional academia. She is especially interested in allying with fungi to encourage ecological literacy, create life-ways in alignment with bioregional intelligence, and uplift cultural narratives that encourage interspecies reciprocity.

Alan Rockefeller (he/him) is an acclaimed mycologist renowned for his expertise in DNA barcoding, field photography, and microscopy. With over 20 years of experience, he has documented and photographed more than 2,500 fungal species. Alan has dedicated the past 15 years to studying fungal diversity in Mexico, regularly leading forays and sharing his knowledge with mycology enthusiasts worldwide. Alan is passionate about education and has taught thousands of people how to extract and sequence the DNA of their mushrooms. His contributions include uploading over 700 DNA sequences to GenBank and co-authoring several scientific papers, notably on new species of bioluminescent Mycena and Psilocybe. He has also identified over 400,000 fungal observations on platforms like iNaturalist and Mushroom Observer, contributing significantly to the understanding of global fungal diversity.

Christopher O'Maelmacasa (they/them)is a leading botanist and one of the most knowledgeable people about the Sierra Nevada region ecology! Christopher holds an MA in integrative ecology from UNR, is on the board of the Nevada Native Plant Society, and leads walks and workshops throughout the region, specializing in ethnobotany. They are currently writing a comprehensive guide to edible and medicinal plants of the Sierra Nevada and is co-author to an upcoming book on California trees.

Thea Chesney (she/her) is an expert naturalist and a lifelong Sierra Nevada foothill resident. Her childhood interest in local mushrooms, wildlife, and flora has developed into an unending devotion to studying and understanding the natural world. She earned her BS in forestry from UC Berkeley while pursuing her passion for fungal taxonomy in the Berkeley mycology labs, and since then has spent her time exploring the California mountains and the organisms that call them home. She has worked as a botanist, a forester, and field mycologist. Her fieldwork and her own studies are centered in the mountains of California.

Dean Lyons (he/him) is an all-around lover of biodiversity and the natural world, specifically focused on fungi and plants. Foraging for wild mushrooms was the catalyst that led him down a path of ecological curiosity, and he is continually excited to learn about new creatures and their interactions. Dean primarily works as a field botanist and mycologist in California, and has focused most of his work in the Sierra Nevada. He leads mushroom and plant walks locally and abroad, having traveled as far as New Zealand to lead ecology tours. He believes that cultivating a reciprocal relationship with our non-human neighbors is a beautiful opportunity to engage with one’s senses and become more connected to the natural world.

Sliding Scale Ticket Options
$175 pay it forward adult ticket
$150 adult standard adult ticket
$100 adult community-supported adult ticket
$75 per teen (age 13-17, must be accompanied by an adult)
$55 per child (recommended for age 7 and older, but you know your child best)

A portion of your ticket fee goes to the Native American Rights Fund. Scholarships are available for low-income participants.

Accessibility
All participants should be prepared to walk slowly, covering about 3-5 miles on uneven terrain. This program may involve driving an additional hour from our first meeting spot during the program (we got where the mushrooms are, and they move around throughout the season!) We prefer to teach in small groups, so our groups are capped at 25 participants. Fees cover program costs only and do not cover transportation, gear, or lodging. While we usually do, finding edibles is not a guarantee

About Fork in the Path

Fork in the Path offers guided wild foraging experiences in California for the adventurous of all ages, from forest to ocean. Our transformational programs include foraging, cultivating a relationship with the land, tasting wild food, & community building.

Mushroom Foraging Classes Sierra Nevada Mountains

-> register here

What You'll Learn

This experiential, hands-on half-day foraging class is all about the fascinating world of Sierra Nevada fungi and plants. We’ll be targeting morels and porcini, and learning about all the vibrant montane ecology around us along the way. We’ll explain what happens in the forest after a fire, both ecologically and from a human management perspective. We’ll cover mushroom and plant anatomy for identification, mycorrhizal relationships (fungal- tree/plant partnerships at the mycelial/root level), poisonous and edible mushrooms, and forest safety. Find the mythical “fairy fart” mushroom, the gorgeous purple cup fungi, and more! The program also includes ethics of harvesting, community building, mindful movement, a cooking demo, and a tasting at the end. Learning to forage for mushrooms is an ongoing life path. This program will teach you the foundational skills to go out foraging on your own.

Where and When

Dates are individual classes, not a series, all 10am-3pm
May 2, 3, 9, 10, in El Dorado National Forest
May 16, 17, 30, 31 in either El Dorado National Forest or Tahoe National Forest (pending conditions)

Exact meetup location is provided one week before your class date. Please note, of all the places where we offer mushroom foraging classes, the mountains are the most variable and hardest to predict. While we can’t guarantee exactly what we’ll find, we scout ahead of time to make our best effort to set you up for success.s.

All Star Instructors Include:
Taye Bright (she/her, they/them) is a mycologist, naturalist, artist and all-around biophile passionate about fungal ecology, community science, and conservation. Taye holds B.S. in Biology and Environmental Science, certifications in Ecosystem Restoration Design, and is a certified UC California Naturalist. She is currently pursuing her MSc in Mycology at California State East Bay studying fungal biodiversity of rare and threatened ecosystem types in California. Outside of her research, she leads classes, courses, workshops, and walks around California and beyond, focusing on increasing accessibility of mycological and ecological education outside of conventional academia. She is especially interested in allying with fungi to encourage ecological literacy, create life-ways in alignment with bioregional intelligence, and uplift cultural narratives that encourage interspecies reciprocity.

Alan Rockefeller (he/him) is an acclaimed mycologist renowned for his expertise in DNA barcoding, field photography, and microscopy. With over 20 years of experience, he has documented and photographed more than 2,500 fungal species. Alan has dedicated the past 15 years to studying fungal diversity in Mexico, regularly leading forays and sharing his knowledge with mycology enthusiasts worldwide. Alan is passionate about education and has taught thousands of people how to extract and sequence the DNA of their mushrooms. His contributions include uploading over 700 DNA sequences to GenBank and co-authoring several scientific papers, notably on new species of bioluminescent Mycena and Psilocybe. He has also identified over 400,000 fungal observations on platforms like iNaturalist and Mushroom Observer, contributing significantly to the understanding of global fungal diversity.

Christopher O'Maelmacasa (they/them)is a leading botanist and one of the most knowledgeable people about the Sierra Nevada region ecology! Christopher holds an MA in integrative ecology from UNR, is on the board of the Nevada Native Plant Society, and leads walks and workshops throughout the region, specializing in ethnobotany. They are currently writing a comprehensive guide to edible and medicinal plants of the Sierra Nevada and is co-author to an upcoming book on California trees.

Thea Chesney (she/her) is an expert naturalist and a lifelong Sierra Nevada foothill resident. Her childhood interest in local mushrooms, wildlife, and flora has developed into an unending devotion to studying and understanding the natural world. She earned her BS in forestry from UC Berkeley while pursuing her passion for fungal taxonomy in the Berkeley mycology labs, and since then has spent her time exploring the California mountains and the organisms that call them home. She has worked as a botanist, a forester, and field mycologist. Her fieldwork and her own studies are centered in the mountains of California.

Dean Lyons (he/him) is an all-around lover of biodiversity and the natural world, specifically focused on fungi and plants. Foraging for wild mushrooms was the catalyst that led him down a path of ecological curiosity, and he is continually excited to learn about new creatures and their interactions. Dean primarily works as a field botanist and mycologist in California, and has focused most of his work in the Sierra Nevada. He leads mushroom and plant walks locally and abroad, having traveled as far as New Zealand to lead ecology tours. He believes that cultivating a reciprocal relationship with our non-human neighbors is a beautiful opportunity to engage with one’s senses and become more connected to the natural world.

Sliding Scale Ticket Options
$175 pay it forward adult ticket
$150 adult standard adult ticket
$100 adult community-supported adult ticket
$75 per teen (age 13-17, must be accompanied by an adult)
$55 per child (recommended for age 7 and older, but you know your child best)

A portion of your ticket fee goes to the Native American Rights Fund. Scholarships are available for low-income participants.

Accessibility
All participants should be prepared to walk slowly, covering about 3-5 miles on uneven terrain. This program may involve driving an additional hour from our first meeting spot during the program (we got where the mushrooms are, and they move around throughout the season!) We prefer to teach in small groups, so our groups are capped at 25 participants. Fees cover program costs only and do not cover transportation, gear, or lodging. While we usually do, finding edibles is not a guarantee

About Fork in the Path

Fork in the Path offers guided wild foraging experiences in California for the adventurous of all ages, from forest to ocean. Our transformational programs include foraging, cultivating a relationship with the land, tasting wild food, & community building.

Mushroom Foraging Classes Sierra Nevada Mountains

-> register here

What You'll Learn

This experiential, hands-on half-day foraging class is all about the fascinating world of Sierra Nevada fungi and plants. We’ll be targeting morels and porcini, and learning about all the vibrant montane ecology around us along the way. We’ll explain what happens in the forest after a fire, both ecologically and from a human management perspective. We’ll cover mushroom and plant anatomy for identification, mycorrhizal relationships (fungal- tree/plant partnerships at the mycelial/root level), poisonous and edible mushrooms, and forest safety. Find the mythical “fairy fart” mushroom, the gorgeous purple cup fungi, and more! The program also includes ethics of harvesting, community building, mindful movement, a cooking demo, and a tasting at the end. Learning to forage for mushrooms is an ongoing life path. This program will teach you the foundational skills to go out foraging on your own.

Where and When

Dates are individual classes, not a series, all 10am-3pm
May 2, 3, 9, 10, in El Dorado National Forest
May 16, 17, 30, 31 in either El Dorado National Forest or Tahoe National Forest (pending conditions)

Exact meetup location is provided one week before your class date. Please note, of all the places where we offer mushroom foraging classes, the mountains are the most variable and hardest to predict. While we can’t guarantee exactly what we’ll find, we scout ahead of time to make our best effort to set you up for success.s.

All Star Instructors Include:
Taye Bright (she/her, they/them) is a mycologist, naturalist, artist and all-around biophile passionate about fungal ecology, community science, and conservation. Taye holds B.S. in Biology and Environmental Science, certifications in Ecosystem Restoration Design, and is a certified UC California Naturalist. She is currently pursuing her MSc in Mycology at California State East Bay studying fungal biodiversity of rare and threatened ecosystem types in California. Outside of her research, she leads classes, courses, workshops, and walks around California and beyond, focusing on increasing accessibility of mycological and ecological education outside of conventional academia. She is especially interested in allying with fungi to encourage ecological literacy, create life-ways in alignment with bioregional intelligence, and uplift cultural narratives that encourage interspecies reciprocity.

Alan Rockefeller (he/him) is an acclaimed mycologist renowned for his expertise in DNA barcoding, field photography, and microscopy. With over 20 years of experience, he has documented and photographed more than 2,500 fungal species. Alan has dedicated the past 15 years to studying fungal diversity in Mexico, regularly leading forays and sharing his knowledge with mycology enthusiasts worldwide. Alan is passionate about education and has taught thousands of people how to extract and sequence the DNA of their mushrooms. His contributions include uploading over 700 DNA sequences to GenBank and co-authoring several scientific papers, notably on new species of bioluminescent Mycena and Psilocybe. He has also identified over 400,000 fungal observations on platforms like iNaturalist and Mushroom Observer, contributing significantly to the understanding of global fungal diversity.

Christopher O'Maelmacasa (they/them)is a leading botanist and one of the most knowledgeable people about the Sierra Nevada region ecology! Christopher holds an MA in integrative ecology from UNR, is on the board of the Nevada Native Plant Society, and leads walks and workshops throughout the region, specializing in ethnobotany. They are currently writing a comprehensive guide to edible and medicinal plants of the Sierra Nevada and is co-author to an upcoming book on California trees.

Thea Chesney (she/her) is an expert naturalist and a lifelong Sierra Nevada foothill resident. Her childhood interest in local mushrooms, wildlife, and flora has developed into an unending devotion to studying and understanding the natural world. She earned her BS in forestry from UC Berkeley while pursuing her passion for fungal taxonomy in the Berkeley mycology labs, and since then has spent her time exploring the California mountains and the organisms that call them home. She has worked as a botanist, a forester, and field mycologist. Her fieldwork and her own studies are centered in the mountains of California.

Dean Lyons (he/him) is an all-around lover of biodiversity and the natural world, specifically focused on fungi and plants. Foraging for wild mushrooms was the catalyst that led him down a path of ecological curiosity, and he is continually excited to learn about new creatures and their interactions. Dean primarily works as a field botanist and mycologist in California, and has focused most of his work in the Sierra Nevada. He leads mushroom and plant walks locally and abroad, having traveled as far as New Zealand to lead ecology tours. He believes that cultivating a reciprocal relationship with our non-human neighbors is a beautiful opportunity to engage with one’s senses and become more connected to the natural world.

Sliding Scale Ticket Options
$175 pay it forward adult ticket
$150 adult standard adult ticket
$100 adult community-supported adult ticket
$75 per teen (age 13-17, must be accompanied by an adult)
$55 per child (recommended for age 7 and older, but you know your child best)

A portion of your ticket fee goes to the Native American Rights Fund. Scholarships are available for low-income participants.

Accessibility
All participants should be prepared to walk slowly, covering about 3-5 miles on uneven terrain. This program may involve driving an additional hour from our first meeting spot during the program (we got where the mushrooms are, and they move around throughout the season!) We prefer to teach in small groups, so our groups are capped at 25 participants. Fees cover program costs only and do not cover transportation, gear, or lodging. While we usually do, finding edibles is not a guarantee

About Fork in the Path

Fork in the Path offers guided wild foraging experiences in California for the adventurous of all ages, from forest to ocean. Our transformational programs include foraging, cultivating a relationship with the land, tasting wild food, & community building.

Mushroom Foraging Classes Sierra Nevada Mountains

-> register here

What You'll Learn

This experiential, hands-on half-day foraging class is all about the fascinating world of Sierra Nevada fungi and plants. We’ll be targeting morels and porcini, and learning about all the vibrant montane ecology around us along the way. We’ll explain what happens in the forest after a fire, both ecologically and from a human management perspective. We’ll cover mushroom and plant anatomy for identification, mycorrhizal relationships (fungal- tree/plant partnerships at the mycelial/root level), poisonous and edible mushrooms, and forest safety. Find the mythical “fairy fart” mushroom, the gorgeous purple cup fungi, and more! The program also includes ethics of harvesting, community building, mindful movement, a cooking demo, and a tasting at the end. Learning to forage for mushrooms is an ongoing life path. This program will teach you the foundational skills to go out foraging on your own.

Where and When

Dates are individual classes, not a series, all 10am-3pm
May 2, 3, 9, 10, in El Dorado National Forest
May 16, 17, 30, 31 in either El Dorado National Forest or Tahoe National Forest (pending conditions)

Exact meetup location is provided one week before your class date. Please note, of all the places where we offer mushroom foraging classes, the mountains are the most variable and hardest to predict. While we can’t guarantee exactly what we’ll find, we scout ahead of time to make our best effort to set you up for success.s.

All Star Instructors Include:
Taye Bright (she/her, they/them) is a mycologist, naturalist, artist and all-around biophile passionate about fungal ecology, community science, and conservation. Taye holds B.S. in Biology and Environmental Science, certifications in Ecosystem Restoration Design, and is a certified UC California Naturalist. She is currently pursuing her MSc in Mycology at California State East Bay studying fungal biodiversity of rare and threatened ecosystem types in California. Outside of her research, she leads classes, courses, workshops, and walks around California and beyond, focusing on increasing accessibility of mycological and ecological education outside of conventional academia. She is especially interested in allying with fungi to encourage ecological literacy, create life-ways in alignment with bioregional intelligence, and uplift cultural narratives that encourage interspecies reciprocity.

Alan Rockefeller (he/him) is an acclaimed mycologist renowned for his expertise in DNA barcoding, field photography, and microscopy. With over 20 years of experience, he has documented and photographed more than 2,500 fungal species. Alan has dedicated the past 15 years to studying fungal diversity in Mexico, regularly leading forays and sharing his knowledge with mycology enthusiasts worldwide. Alan is passionate about education and has taught thousands of people how to extract and sequence the DNA of their mushrooms. His contributions include uploading over 700 DNA sequences to GenBank and co-authoring several scientific papers, notably on new species of bioluminescent Mycena and Psilocybe. He has also identified over 400,000 fungal observations on platforms like iNaturalist and Mushroom Observer, contributing significantly to the understanding of global fungal diversity.

Christopher O'Maelmacasa (they/them)is a leading botanist and one of the most knowledgeable people about the Sierra Nevada region ecology! Christopher holds an MA in integrative ecology from UNR, is on the board of the Nevada Native Plant Society, and leads walks and workshops throughout the region, specializing in ethnobotany. They are currently writing a comprehensive guide to edible and medicinal plants of the Sierra Nevada and is co-author to an upcoming book on California trees.

Thea Chesney (she/her) is an expert naturalist and a lifelong Sierra Nevada foothill resident. Her childhood interest in local mushrooms, wildlife, and flora has developed into an unending devotion to studying and understanding the natural world. She earned her BS in forestry from UC Berkeley while pursuing her passion for fungal taxonomy in the Berkeley mycology labs, and since then has spent her time exploring the California mountains and the organisms that call them home. She has worked as a botanist, a forester, and field mycologist. Her fieldwork and her own studies are centered in the mountains of California.

Dean Lyons (he/him) is an all-around lover of biodiversity and the natural world, specifically focused on fungi and plants. Foraging for wild mushrooms was the catalyst that led him down a path of ecological curiosity, and he is continually excited to learn about new creatures and their interactions. Dean primarily works as a field botanist and mycologist in California, and has focused most of his work in the Sierra Nevada. He leads mushroom and plant walks locally and abroad, having traveled as far as New Zealand to lead ecology tours. He believes that cultivating a reciprocal relationship with our non-human neighbors is a beautiful opportunity to engage with one’s senses and become more connected to the natural world.

Sliding Scale Ticket Options
$175 pay it forward adult ticket
$150 adult standard adult ticket
$100 adult community-supported adult ticket
$75 per teen (age 13-17, must be accompanied by an adult)
$55 per child (recommended for age 7 and older, but you know your child best)

A portion of your ticket fee goes to the Native American Rights Fund. Scholarships are available for low-income participants.

Accessibility
All participants should be prepared to walk slowly, covering about 3-5 miles on uneven terrain. This program may involve driving an additional hour from our first meeting spot during the program (we got where the mushrooms are, and they move around throughout the season!) We prefer to teach in small groups, so our groups are capped at 25 participants. Fees cover program costs only and do not cover transportation, gear, or lodging. While we usually do, finding edibles is not a guarantee

About Fork in the Path

Fork in the Path offers guided wild foraging experiences in California for the adventurous of all ages, from forest to ocean. Our transformational programs include foraging, cultivating a relationship with the land, tasting wild food, & community building.

Mushroom Foraging Classes Sierra Nevada Mountains

-> register here

What You'll Learn

This experiential, hands-on half-day foraging class is all about the fascinating world of Sierra Nevada fungi and plants. We’ll be targeting morels and porcini, and learning about all the vibrant montane ecology around us along the way. We’ll explain what happens in the forest after a fire, both ecologically and from a human management perspective. We’ll cover mushroom and plant anatomy for identification, mycorrhizal relationships (fungal- tree/plant partnerships at the mycelial/root level), poisonous and edible mushrooms, and forest safety. Find the mythical “fairy fart” mushroom, the gorgeous purple cup fungi, and more! The program also includes ethics of harvesting, community building, mindful movement, a cooking demo, and a tasting at the end. Learning to forage for mushrooms is an ongoing life path. This program will teach you the foundational skills to go out foraging on your own.

Where and When

Dates are individual classes, not a series, all 10am-3pm
May 2, 3, 9, 10, in El Dorado National Forest
May 16, 17, 30, 31 in either El Dorado National Forest or Tahoe National Forest (pending conditions)

Exact meetup location is provided one week before your class date. Please note, of all the places where we offer mushroom foraging classes, the mountains are the most variable and hardest to predict. While we can’t guarantee exactly what we’ll find, we scout ahead of time to make our best effort to set you up for success.s.

All Star Instructors Include:
Taye Bright (she/her, they/them) is a mycologist, naturalist, artist and all-around biophile passionate about fungal ecology, community science, and conservation. Taye holds B.S. in Biology and Environmental Science, certifications in Ecosystem Restoration Design, and is a certified UC California Naturalist. She is currently pursuing her MSc in Mycology at California State East Bay studying fungal biodiversity of rare and threatened ecosystem types in California. Outside of her research, she leads classes, courses, workshops, and walks around California and beyond, focusing on increasing accessibility of mycological and ecological education outside of conventional academia. She is especially interested in allying with fungi to encourage ecological literacy, create life-ways in alignment with bioregional intelligence, and uplift cultural narratives that encourage interspecies reciprocity.

Alan Rockefeller (he/him) is an acclaimed mycologist renowned for his expertise in DNA barcoding, field photography, and microscopy. With over 20 years of experience, he has documented and photographed more than 2,500 fungal species. Alan has dedicated the past 15 years to studying fungal diversity in Mexico, regularly leading forays and sharing his knowledge with mycology enthusiasts worldwide. Alan is passionate about education and has taught thousands of people how to extract and sequence the DNA of their mushrooms. His contributions include uploading over 700 DNA sequences to GenBank and co-authoring several scientific papers, notably on new species of bioluminescent Mycena and Psilocybe. He has also identified over 400,000 fungal observations on platforms like iNaturalist and Mushroom Observer, contributing significantly to the understanding of global fungal diversity.

Christopher O'Maelmacasa (they/them)is a leading botanist and one of the most knowledgeable people about the Sierra Nevada region ecology! Christopher holds an MA in integrative ecology from UNR, is on the board of the Nevada Native Plant Society, and leads walks and workshops throughout the region, specializing in ethnobotany. They are currently writing a comprehensive guide to edible and medicinal plants of the Sierra Nevada and is co-author to an upcoming book on California trees.

Thea Chesney (she/her) is an expert naturalist and a lifelong Sierra Nevada foothill resident. Her childhood interest in local mushrooms, wildlife, and flora has developed into an unending devotion to studying and understanding the natural world. She earned her BS in forestry from UC Berkeley while pursuing her passion for fungal taxonomy in the Berkeley mycology labs, and since then has spent her time exploring the California mountains and the organisms that call them home. She has worked as a botanist, a forester, and field mycologist. Her fieldwork and her own studies are centered in the mountains of California.

Dean Lyons (he/him) is an all-around lover of biodiversity and the natural world, specifically focused on fungi and plants. Foraging for wild mushrooms was the catalyst that led him down a path of ecological curiosity, and he is continually excited to learn about new creatures and their interactions. Dean primarily works as a field botanist and mycologist in California, and has focused most of his work in the Sierra Nevada. He leads mushroom and plant walks locally and abroad, having traveled as far as New Zealand to lead ecology tours. He believes that cultivating a reciprocal relationship with our non-human neighbors is a beautiful opportunity to engage with one’s senses and become more connected to the natural world.

Sliding Scale Ticket Options
$175 pay it forward adult ticket
$150 adult standard adult ticket
$100 adult community-supported adult ticket
$75 per teen (age 13-17, must be accompanied by an adult)
$55 per child (recommended for age 7 and older, but you know your child best)

A portion of your ticket fee goes to the Native American Rights Fund. Scholarships are available for low-income participants.

Accessibility
All participants should be prepared to walk slowly, covering about 3-5 miles on uneven terrain. This program may involve driving an additional hour from our first meeting spot during the program (we got where the mushrooms are, and they move around throughout the season!) We prefer to teach in small groups, so our groups are capped at 25 participants. Fees cover program costs only and do not cover transportation, gear, or lodging. While we usually do, finding edibles is not a guarantee

About Fork in the Path

Fork in the Path offers guided wild foraging experiences in California for the adventurous of all ages, from forest to ocean. Our transformational programs include foraging, cultivating a relationship with the land, tasting wild food, & community building.

Mushroom Foraging Classes Sierra Nevada Mountains

What You'll Learn

This experiential, hands-on half-day foraging class is all about the fascinating world of Sierra Nevada fungi and plants. We’ll be targeting morels and porcini, and learning about all the vibrant montane ecology around us along the way. We’ll explain what happens in the forest after a fire, both ecologically and from a human management perspective. We’ll cover mushroom and plant anatomy for identification, mycorrhizal relationships (fungal- tree/plant partnerships at the mycelial/root level), poisonous and edible mushrooms, and forest safety. Find the mythical “fairy fart” mushroom, the gorgeous purple cup fungi, and more! The program also includes ethics of harvesting, community building, mindful movement, a cooking demo, and a tasting at the end. Learning to forage for mushrooms is an ongoing life path. This program will teach you the foundational skills to go out foraging on your own.

Where and When

Dates are individual classes, not a series, all 10am-3pm
May 2, 3, 9, 10, in El Dorado National Forest
May 16, 17, 30, 31 in either El Dorado National Forest or Tahoe National Forest (pending conditions)

Exact meetup location is provided one week before your class date. Please note, of all the places where we offer mushroom foraging classes, the mountains are the most variable and hardest to predict. While we can’t guarantee exactly what we’ll find, we scout ahead of time to make our best effort to set you up for success.s.

Instructors Include:
Taye Bright (she/her, they/them) is a mycologist, naturalist, artist and all-around biophile passionate about fungal ecology, community science, and conservation. Taye holds B.S. in Biology and Environmental Science, certifications in Ecosystem Restoration Design, and is a certified UC California Naturalist. She is currently pursuing her MSc in Mycology at California State East Bay studying fungal biodiversity of rare and threatened ecosystem types in California. Outside of her research, she leads classes, courses, workshops, and walks around California and beyond, focusing on increasing accessibility of mycological and ecological education outside of conventional academia. She is especially interested in allying with fungi to encourage ecological literacy, create life-ways in alignment with bioregional intelligence, and uplift cultural narratives that encourage interspecies reciprocity.

Alan Rockefeller (he/him) is an acclaimed mycologist renowned for his expertise in DNA barcoding, field photography, and microscopy. With over 20 years of experience, he has documented and photographed more than 2,500 fungal species. Alan has dedicated the past 15 years to studying fungal diversity in Mexico, regularly leading forays and sharing his knowledge with mycology enthusiasts worldwide. Alan is passionate about education and has taught thousands of people how to extract and sequence the DNA of their mushrooms. His contributions include uploading over 700 DNA sequences to GenBank and co-authoring several scientific papers, notably on new species of bioluminescent Mycena and Psilocybe. He has also identified over 400,000 fungal observations on platforms like iNaturalist and Mushroom Observer, contributing significantly to the understanding of global fungal diversity.

Christopher O'Maelmacasa (they/them)is a leading botanist and one of the most knowledgeable people about the Sierra Nevada region ecology! Christopher holds an MA in integrative ecology from UNR, is on the board of the Nevada Native Plant Society, and leads walks and workshops throughout the region, specializing in ethnobotany. They are currently writing a comprehensive guide to edible and medicinal plants of the Sierra Nevada and is co-author to an upcoming book on California trees.

Thea Chesney (she/her) is an expert naturalist and a lifelong Sierra Nevada foothill resident. Her childhood interest in local mushrooms, wildlife, and flora has developed into an unending devotion to studying and understanding the natural world. She earned her BS in forestry from UC Berkeley while pursuing her passion for fungal taxonomy in the Berkeley mycology labs, and since then has spent her time exploring the California mountains and the organisms that call them home. She has worked as a botanist, a forester, and field mycologist. Her fieldwork and her own studies are centered in the mountains of California.

Dean Lyons (he/him) is an all-around lover of biodiversity and the natural world, specifically focused on fungi and plants. Foraging for wild mushrooms was the catalyst that led him down a path of ecological curiosity, and he is continually excited to learn about new creatures and their interactions. Dean primarily works as a field botanist and mycologist in California, and has focused most of his work in the Sierra Nevada. He leads mushroom and plant walks locally and abroad, having traveled as far as New Zealand to lead ecology tours. He believes that cultivating a reciprocal relationship with our non-human neighbors is a beautiful opportunity to engage with one’s senses and become more connected to the natural world.

Sliding Scale Ticket Options
$175 pay it forward adult ticket
$150 adult standard adult ticket
$100 adult community-supported adult ticket
$75 per teen (age 13-17, must be accompanied by an adult)
$55 per child (recommended for age 7 and older, but you know your child best)

A portion of your ticket fee goes to the Native American Rights Fund. Scholarships are available for low-income participants.

Accessibility
All participants should be prepared to walk slowly, covering about 3-5 miles on uneven terrain. This program may involve driving an additional hour from our first meeting spot during the program (we got where the mushrooms are, and they move around throughout the season!) We prefer to teach in small groups, so our groups are capped at 25 participants. Fees cover program costs only and do not cover transportation, gear, or lodging. While we usually do, finding edibles is not a guarantee

About Fork in the Path

Fork in the Path offers guided wild foraging experiences in California for the adventurous of all ages, from forest to ocean. Our transformational programs include foraging, cultivating a relationship with the land, tasting wild food, & community building.