“”Mushrooms are nature’s quiet conquerors, sprouting silently, with a beauty all their own…”
– Unknown
The Benefits
Michigan is home to over 2,000 types of mushrooms, and on every walk in the forest we are offered so much to discover! During our Mushroom Identification Classes, you’ll learn how to confidently identify not just the edible mushrooms you may pass while walking a forest trail, but also the poisonous, the beautiful, the tiny, the obscure, the bioluminescent … the list goes on! You’ll also learn about the role mushrooms play in the ecosystem, fun facts related to habitat recognition, foraging tips, growth and decay timelines, and more.
Led by MDARD certified wild mushroom expert, Luke Venechuk, this class goes beyond foraging and deep into the realm of what makes fungi so unique and cool. We suggest you bring along a notepad and be prepared to learn a lot.
Classes are 1.25-hrs long and hosted monthly from May to October!
What You’ll Experience:
During these classes you’ll learn how to identify wild mushrooms, improve your understanding of mushroom anatomy and types of mushrooms, and have fun outside among community, chatting about fungi and how the mushrooms we spot on the landscape change from spring to fall. Class locations vary by month, offering the chance to explore in new places and see what fungi can be discovered in different types of environments.
All of Our Mushroom Identification Classes include:
- An introduction at the trailhead, where we’ll briefly discuss relevant seasonal or weather-related details and other notes to help you fine-tune your habitat recognition as we arrive and get started
- A handout that covers the top edible mushrooms of the season, along with a mushroom calendar overview of what to expect in the coming months
- In-depth instruction covering an average of six to ten wild mushrooms in the forest, all pre-scouted by our guide to increase the efficiency of how much we can cover during class. You’ll learn specific details about how to identify each mushroom, whether it is edible, inedible, poisonous, medicinal, or none of the above, and other detailed information related to the mushroom and its connection to the ecosystem
- A follow-up email from our guides, reminding you what mushrooms we discussed so that you can learn more on your own and sharing a list of our favorite field guides and resources
Instructor
Our Mushroom Identification Class is led by Luke Venechuk, a certified wild mushroom expert with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Luke’s extensive mushroom knowledge has grown over many years of fascination, with a running list of over 150 mushrooms in his repertoire. Luke provides a high quality, balanced learning experience for all ages, sending you home with inspiration to think twice about that cool mushroom you just passed on the trail. Want to learn more about Luke? Click HERE!
Class Rates:
| Single Class: | $22 |
| *Five Class Pack: | $85 ($17 per class) |
| *Ten Class Pack: | $150 ($15 per class) |
*IYE Class Packs are valid for an entire year and can be used to attend all of our community classes interchangeably, which include: Foraging & Wild Tending Classes + Seasonal Forest Bathing Classes + Mushroom Identification Classes.
FAQ & Other Details:
- Classes are hosted on the first Wednesday of each month from May-September, from 6-7:15pm at various locations around Grand Rapids. In October we host the final class of the season on a weekend, due to the lack of daylight in the evening hours. October’s class date will be announced in September. Head to our Calendar + Sign Up page for upcoming classes and to sign up.
- Check-in begins at 5:50pm and class starts promptly at 6pm. Out of respect for all attendees we are unable to wait for late arrivals, and we may be hard to find after leaving our meeting spot. Please give yourself plenty of time so that you do not miss the group.
- Our Mushroom Identification Classes contain detailed and technical information. All ages are welcome, but we recommend the class most for ages 13+.
- All class registrations are handled in advance, so don’t forget to sign up if you plan to attend. This helps us comply with park regulations.
- Check out our What to Expect page for more information, refund and weather cancellation policies, and other FAQs.
We’ll see you in the forest!