Wild Mushroom Walks
This summer, you can explore the wonderful world of mushrooms with expert Martin Osis, who will be leading a number of discovery walks through the Garden’s natural areas. Mushroom walks will be offered both daytime and evenings. We expect these walks to be very popular and recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment.
The walks usually go out for about 1-1/2 hours. Participants walk together looking for and at mushrooms, talking about mushrooms and their relationship with trees and other plants. You will be collecting some samples, especially of the edible mushrooms, medicinal mushrooms and any rare or unique mushrooms which will be collected for science. After the walk, you will bring your samples back and spend 1/2 to 1 hour sorting them out and discussing what characteristics to look for so you can properly identify them. Bring some layers for any weather, a small knife to collect mushrooms with and a basket if you have it. If you have any mushrooms from your yard or neighbourhood, come a bit early and bring them along for identification. Participants will have lots of samples of the common medicinal mushrooms to look at and photograph so that they can be left growing in the Garden.
Please note: mushroom quantity and variety are weather dependent. We will scout the walk routes in advance, but if the mushroom fruiting is poor we may pivot to a general presentation about mushrooms plus mushrooms that can be found in the gardens.
Course Dates (2.5 hours)
Fri. July 19, 6:30 p.m.
Wed. July 24, 10 a.m.
Thu. Aug. 8, 1:30 p.m.
Fri. Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m.
Thu. Aug. 22, 10 a.m.
Fri. Sept. 6, 6:30 p.m.
Tue. Sept. 10, 1:30 p.m.
About the instructor
Martin Osis is passionate about wild mushrooms! He loves to look at them, touch them, smell them, taste them and talk about them. For decades he has been educating and entertaining people and groups about mushrooms by talks, forays, workshops, identification courses and just going on and on and on about mushrooms. His enthusiasm about mushrooms makes him a sought-after speaker. Check out some of his educational blogs and upcoming events on his website.
Important to know
- Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash.
- Min. 5 participants/max. 25. Walks may be cancelled if enrolment is low.
- Individuals will be given the option to re-book; however, no refunds will be provided if a registered participant is unable to make the walk.
- Tickets may be purchased in the Welcome Centre up to 1.5 hours in advance of the walks, subject to availability. However, due to the popularity of these walks, advance booking is strongly recommended.
- Mushroom quantity and variety are weather dependent. We will scout the walk routes in advance, but if the mushroom fruiting is poor we may pivot to a general presentation about mushrooms plus mushrooms that can be found in the gardens.