Saturday, February 6, 2020 

1:00pm – 3:00pm
$25 per person, $20 for members
Meet at the Dwight Center
Ages 13 and up

The winter is a great time to get acquainted with fascinating fungi that are typically unseen the rest of the year. With the rainy season moisture, vital networks of fungal mycelium hiding under our feet and in fallen logs put forth their fruiting bodies – showing us their many mushroom forms from the more recognizable toadstools and shelf fungi to the stranger bird’s nest or jelly fungi. Join Melina Kozanitas, biologist and mycology lecturer at Sonoma State University, to learn how to find, identify, and understand local mushrooms.
During this expedition in the field, Melina will guide you through environments in which fungi may thrive, such as mixed-hardwood forest and grassland. As you encounter mushroom specimens along the way, you will learn about the structures and defining features of various fungi species and practice identifying them.

This event includes a slow-paced hike, up to two miles on varied terrain. It will go on in light rain, though heavy storms will cancel (refunds are offered in case of cancellation). This event will be limited to a small group of ten participants per current group gathering requirements. Masks and social distancing will be required. Our bathroom facilities are sanitized before and after visitor groups.

Melina Kozanitas has extensive experience studying ecology at Pepperwood as a visiting researcher through the Ackerly Lab at UC Berkeley – where she earned her PhD in Plant Pathology. Melina currently serves as a biology lecturer at Sonoma State, teaching Intro to Biology, Plant Biology, and of course, Mycology!

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Register for this class using the secure form below.

To register, select either the General or Friends level below and click +Add. You may include a donation amount to support our educational programs in the section labeled “Make a donation”. We are grateful for your support, which makes our work possible.

Members/Friends: Enter the code you received when you became a member to receive your discount. If you’re not sure about your membership status or don’t know the code, contact Sloane Shinn, Community Engagement, at sshinn@pepperwoodpreserve.org or (707) 591-9310 x 133. Click here to become a member today!

For all questions about this event, please contact Holland Gistelli, Education Specialist, at hgistelli@pepperwoodpreserve.org.