2024 Mushroom Foray in Readstown
Join us for a mushroom foray – a morning of foraging for and learning about wild mushrooms on a private Readstown property protected by a conservation easement in Vernon County.
REGISTER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.
Guided by Restoration Coordinator Payton Lott and members of the UW-La Crosse Mycology Club, this educational workshop will give participants the opportunity to learn about mushroom identification specific to the Driftless Area. Participants will be able to share their findings and get assistance with mushroom identification from knowledgeable mycologists. This event is part of the Conservancy’s 2024 “Linked to the Land” series of outdoor experiences held on the many properties we protect for wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, farmland protection and climate resilience in the Driftless Area.
Mushroom hunting is a popular way to enjoy the seasons. In September, foragers in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area may be lucky enough to find such varieties as honey mushrooms, chicken-of-the-woods, hen-of-the-woods, turkey tail, and puff ball mushrooms. There are also a number of lookalikes that can be poisonous, so having mycologists available to verify findings is essential before consuming any found mushrooms.
Make a day of it and give yourself time to explore Readstown, La Farge, Viroqua or Gays Mills after our event, or go for a hike in the afternoon at the Tunnelville Cliffs Nature Preserve near La Farge (see the NATURE PRESERVES link for more details). Participants are encouraged to bring mushroom guidebooks, a basket or small paper bags for mushrooms, and a pocketknife. Because this event will be held on private property, directions to this Readstown site will be emailed to participants the week of the event, along with some foraging tips.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for this FREE event by September 2 (or until filled). With questions, contact Karen Solverson at [email protected] or call 608-784-3606 ext 8.