Spring Long Distance Foray Join our Spring Foray when the snow melts in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and enjoy the vernal appearance of morels, coccoras, woodland agaricus and early boletes. FFSC's first Spring Foray was in 1987, led by Brad Beebe. Brad would scout the Sierras for morels in multiple locations in April and decide a week or so prior where he would lead. It was so well received that it was established as an annual foray. This is a loose gathering for FFSC members. Everyone finds their own camping spot and hunts on their own. The only fixed event is the Saturday night potluck. Everyone meets at a designated location, brings chairs, their dish, drinks, eating gear and firewood. Everyone helps clean up and we are sure to have good food, drinks, laughter as we share our hunt stories around the fire. Members Only Content Login Join FFSC

Mushroom flower. Stalked polypore. Photo by Alex Russakovsky Mushroom Flower Alex Russakovsky On a yearly trip to the Mendonoma coast that we always dedicate to the memory of Ryane Snow . Spent some days under pouring rain hunting for edibles, however not much to report. About 200 chanterelles (3 different varieties), 15 matsutake, 20 honeys, a couple of pigs' ears. Camera (Not provided) Focal L. Aperture Shutter Sp. ISO Flash Photo taken on December 7, 2019 Mushroom(s) ... Previous Photo Back to Gallery Next Photo

Beer and Mushrooms Picnic As our stories turn to morel hunts and spring kings, we gather for a co-op potluck picnic with the Central Coast Zymurgeeks , a local homebrew group. (Wouldn't you go just to say you had MET a "Zymurgeek"??) But seriously, these people make some fine brew and cider! The überchefs of FFSC grill up a storm, and FFSC members bring main dishes and lots of mushroomy sides as well. The 2026 Beer and Mushrooms Picnic will be held on Saturday, May 16. Members can access more info below. Fried Morel Corn Fritters at Suds n Shrooms. Photo by Katherine Elvin The annual Beer and Mushrooms Picnic (formerly called "Suds 'n' Shrooms") is a great time to gather, enjoy the end of the season and the usual array of great potluck food that our excellent cooks in the FFSC provide. What's more, you'll have the opportunity to sample some fine, award-winning beers made by the excellent zymurgists (brewers) of the Central Coast Zymurgeeks. If you want to learn or share information about the art of brewing, the Zymurgeeks are extremely knowledgeable and can address your questions. Asking brewers how their beer was crafted will be greeted with enthusiasm and a detailed procedure This is a members only event. Of course members of FFSC and the Zymurgeeks may bring family and friends of all ages, and well-behaved pets on leash! Visit this website around March-April each year (or join our Google Group mailing list ) to find out when the next picnic is scheduled! As with all our potlucks, please be sure to review any specific requirements outlined in the event announcement, as well as the guidelines in our Potluck Essentials page. Members Only Content Login Join FFSC

Auriscalpium vulgare. Photo by Dan Tischler Auriscalpium vulgare Dan Tischler The ear-pick or pine cone mushroom is a member of the order Russulales , making it a close relative of Russula and Lactarius species along with Stereum and Hericium . Camera Olympus TG-4 Focal L. 6mm Aperture f/3.2 Shutter Sp. 1/100s ISO 200 Flash Off Photo taken on January 19, 2019 Mushroom(s) ... Previous Photo Back to Gallery Next Photo

Weathered Morel (2014). Photo by Hugh Smith Weathered Morel Hugh Smith Formerly called Morchella elata (which is now known not to exist in North America). Camera (Not provided) Focal L. Aperture Shutter Sp. ISO Flash Photo taken on May 18, 2014 Mushroom(s) ... Previous Photo Back to Gallery Next Photo

Wavy Caps (Psilocybe cyanescens) Psilocybe is the primary genus of hallucinogenic mushrooms, containing such famous species as Liberty Caps (P. semilanceata ), Cubes (P. cubensis), and the topic of this article, Wavy Caps (P. cyanescens ). ... Wavy caps specimens. Photo by Christian Schwarz Note from The Powers That Be: In the United States, psilocybin-containing mushrooms are classified as Schedule 1 drugs, illegal to possess, sell, transport, or cultivate. (This includes spores in the State of California.) The information on this page is provided for scientific and educational purposes only. Almost always encountered on wood chips, Psilocybe cyanescens is an aggressive ruderal species, fond of disturbance in urban areas. It is especially common in the cold, wet winter months around the San Francisco Bay. Through a combinatin of unintentional and intentional transplantation by humans and natural dispersal, it has spread widely throughout the United States. In California, it occurs at least as far south as San Diego County, although it is fairly rare south of Santa Cruz County. Psilocybe allenii is a recently-described species that is extremely similar in most respects. It is primarily differentiable by its less-wavy cap. See this link for more details: http://www.czechmycology.org/_cmo/CM64207.pdf Although only P. cyanescens and P. allenii occur with any regularity in Santa Cruz County, the further north one travels along the Pacific Coast, the more diverse the Psilocybe-assemblage becomes: P. baeocystis, P. azurescens, P. stuntzii, P. ovoideocystidiata, P. pelliculosa, and P. semilanceata all occur in this area, among those already mentioned. Main Photo: The main photo on this page shows somewhat faded specimens. Note the wavy caps and blue stains on the stipe. Spore deposit is dark purplish-gray to very dark reddish-brown. First Photo: Specimens showing the tendency of the stipe bases to bring up large chunks of substrate tightly bound with tough rhizomorphs. Note the aqua to navy-blue stains and the wavy cap margins. Second Photo: Specimens that have not yet developed much blue staining. Note the umbonate caps that are becoming wavy, chestnut-caramel colored caps, bright white stipes, and button with a silky white cortina-type partial veil near the center. Primary confusion species are other Psilocybe , but recreational users run the risk of confusing them with potentially-deadly Galerina marginata , as well as Pholiotina or Conocybe species. All of these have more fragile stipes, bright rusty-orange spore deposits, and lack strong blue staining on all parts. Galerina marginata grp. Photo: These rusty-spored wood-chip dwellers sometimes grow right alongside Psilocybe species, posing a serious danger to inexperienced recreational pickers. The softer stipe texture, lack of blue staining, and rusty spore deposit help distinguish them. P. cyanescens and its relatives are widely cultivated and collected for recreational use by a global populaton of neuronauts and other adventure-seekers. Effects of ingestion include wondrous and/or overwhelming visual enhancements/disturbances, heightened sensations, cyclical and often “swelling” feelings of ecstasy, euphoria and connection to place, people, Nature, Time, and the Universe; but can also result in feelings of fear, unease, disconnection, and loss of sense of Self. As with any psychedelic drug, personal predispositions and psychic peculiarities in combination with details of set and setting exert a heavy influence on the tone of the trip. Mushrooms covered: Conocybe tenera gr. Galerina marginata (deadly galerina, funeral bell) Pholiotina sp. Psilocybe allenii Psilocybe azurescens Psilocybe baeocystis Psilocybe cyanescens ( wavy cap) Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata Psilocybe pelliculosa Psilocybe semilanceata Psilocybe stuntzii Previous Description All Featured Fungi Next Description

Aureoboletus (Boletus) mirabilis, Puget Sound. Photo by Yevgeny Nyden Aureoboletus mirabilis Yevgeny Nyden Aureoboletus (Boletus) mirabilis , commonly known as the admirable bolete, the bragger's bolete, and the velvet top, is an edible species of fungus in the Boletaceae mushroom family. ( Wikipedia ) I took this photo in the Olympic National Park, Washington when I was visiting the Puget Sound Wild Mushroom Show. Camera Samsung SGH-M919 Focal L. 4mm Aperture f/2.2 Shutter Sp. 1/700s ISO 1000 Flash Off Photo taken on October 13, 2013 Mushroom(s) ... Previous Photo Back to Gallery Next Photo

"Fungi and Feline" (Psathyrella sp.) Photo by Mari Stauffer Fungi and Feline Mari Stauffer Howard Taken by by phone upside down on the grass. "Feline grace and lithe" appearance of the mushrooms along with the original feline in the background. Psathyrella genus? (Likely either Psathyrella corrugis or P. bipellis .) Camera Phone Focal L. Aperture Shutter Sp. ISO Flash Photo taken on December 31, 2018 Mushroom(s) ... Previous Photo Back to Gallery Next Photo

Scarlet Waxy Cap. Photo by Jim Kern Scarlet Waxy Cap James Kern Scarlet waxy cap in Mesick, Michigan. Photo taken August 18, 2017 by James Kern. Read upon Waxy Caps in our Featured Fungi: Hygrocybe laetissima (Waxy Caps) Camera Nikon D600 Focal L. 60mm Aperture f/3.5 Shutter Sp. 1/800s ISO 200 Flash Off Photo taken on August 19, 2017 Mushroom(s) ... Previous Photo Back to Gallery Next Photo

Albion Long Distance Forays Our Albion forays are weekend-long trips to the Mendocino area, where chanterelles, black trumpets, and more can be found. We travel to the Mendocino Coast twice a year to explore this bountiful haven for fungal species: Albion I in December: Early winter brings a wide range of fungi, including edibles such as boletes, matsutake, chanterelles, candy caps and more. Albion II in January: Bounties of black trumpets, hedgehogs and winter chanterelles greet us as we revisit the area during late winter. Tickets for Albion forays usually go on sale 3 or 4 months in advance and often sell out quickly. Check Upcoming Events for the latest status. If you can't make one of these fabulous events, monitor this website and FFSC's Google or Facebook group to find out when the next Albion foray will be held. Please note: You must be a member of FFSC to participate in our Albion forays. Saturday Activities On Saturday we meet at 8:30am to discuss the day's plans, and then we head out to hunt! We usually explore areas like Salt Point and the Jackson Demonstration State Forest. Afterwards, we share potluck appetizers and dinner, learn from a guest speaker. After the speaker, anyone who is interested can gather in the lab area to review and identify our foray findings. We encourage all participants who want to learn more about mushrooms to come and help out with the ID. Lodging Our hub for lodging and the potluck is the Albion Retreat and Learning Center , located just one mile from the seashore, eight miles south of Mendocino, 28 miles from a state forest, and 60 miles from Salt Point in the valley of an old lumber camp on the Albion River. The Albion Field Station is owned and operated by Pacific Union College. It has welcomed students and visitors with its rustic charm since 1947. The campus has a large dining hall with a commercial kitchen that will be available to all participants. We utilize the kitchen for individual meals and our famous Saturday night potluck. The following prices are approximate, based on past Albion Forays (and are thus subject to change for future Albion dates). All ticket options include the Saturday activities, plus your choice of lodging. An Albion cabin for 4 people (~$260 - $400 per cabin) A dorm bed in a shared Albion cabin (~$100 per bed) An RV space at Albion with a hookup (bring your own RV) (~$180 per space) No lodging at Albion; participate in Saturday events only ($40 non-refundable) Check in is on Friday afternoon, and we clean up and check out on Sunday morning. (There are no group activities formally planned on these days. Participants socialize and make plans for hunting in the area.) As with all FFSC events, the prices are determined by facility rental costs, vendor fees, insurance costs, etc. Event staff are all unpaid volunteers. Reservation Info & Policies Expand each FAQ item to see the details. Albion Cabins/beds All cabins have shared rooms. Some cabins are fully handicap accessible, some have bunk beds, and some have beds in a loft. The loft option is best for kids and the more limber. You can specify your preference when you order tickets, and we will do our best to accommodate your preference. Albion RV spaces As the access road is fairly narrow and curvy, and can be icy, this option is best for smaller motor homes. The recommended size is 30' or smaller. The largest to have navigated down the winding narrow road has been 38' but you must be a very good RV driver. Saturday activities only If you prefer to arrange your own accommodations offsite, you may purchase a ticket to participate the Saturday activities. The Saturday ticket is non-refundable . (The ticket covers a share of the group permit, cafeteria rental, etc., which FFSC must pay in advance and the vendors do not give refunds.) Cabin and RV space assignments Cabin, dorm bed, and RV space assignments will be sent out before the event and will be posted on the door at the main office at Albion. The lodging reservations are for Friday night (check-in after 3PM) and Saturday night, with checkout on Sunday before 11AM. Albion Cabins owned by Pacific Union College How to buy tickets When tickets go on sale, FFSC members will see a button or link to buy a ticket (reservation). You'll be able to choose which type of ticket you want (entire cabin, individual bed, RV space, or just the Saturday events). You will be able to add each ticket to your shopping basket before paying. Cancellation policy Saturday-only tickets are non-refundable . Lodging (cabin, bed, RV space) tickets are partially refundable IF you cancel more than 10 days before the start date. The club will refund the price you paid minus the payment processor's service fees (usually 3% - 5% of the price). No refunds for lodging tickets will be issued if you cancel within 10 days before the start date. Alternatively, you are welcome to find another FFSC member to buy your ticket(s) for the full price you paid. Be sure they read the policies before purchasing your ticket, and inform the trip leader of the change. If you have questions about this event before purchasing a ticket, use the Contact FFSC form on this website, or use our Google Group or Facebook group (info available on the Contact FFSC page, too). If you purchase a ticket, our Minister of Long-Distance Forays or an event volunteer will follow up with you to provide any additional details. What to Bring Based on members' experiences with this event, we suggest you include the following gear: Potluck dish & cabin supplies For the cabins and Saturday night potluck, plan to bring the following at a minimum: A dish to share at the Saturday potluck. Review our Potluck Essentials page when planning what to serve. Bedding, pillows, towels, and toiletries for yourself. A dehydrator if you have one - damp mushrooms don’t last very long, so make sure you can enjoy them long after the trip! Alternatively, you can cook your mushrooms and keep them refrigerated in your cabin or the dining area. See Culinary Techniques . Saturday foray gear For the Saturday foray, we recommend you bring: GPS, a walking stick, a loud whistle, and a water bottle Collecting gear (basket, knife, brush, wax and/or paper collection bags) Layers of clothing - weather ranges from mild to wet and cold. Keep your head and feet dry! If you're new to collecting and to mushroom identification, we suggest you read our free FFSC Online Learning pages for basic info and tips. Event Policies & FAQs Albion Field Station Policies STRICT NO PET POLICY : Albion Retreat and Learning center has a "NO PETS POLICY". If you violate this policy, you will be fined $250 and be asked to immediately clean your room/cabin and check out. Service animals are OK (with permission first) in handicap units only (Vanessa 1 or 2). Please make sure you reserve the right type of cabin for your needs. Animals can't be in cars overnight or in food prep areas. Proof of current shots must be provided. Upon registration, please note that you wish to bring a service dog in the comments section at checkout. You may also be required to be answer these questions if you intend to bring a service dog: (1) whether the animal is required because of a disability, and (2) what work the animal is trained to perform. Clean meats in rooms : The Albion Field Station is owned by Pacific Union College, a private college for the Seventh-day Adventist learning community. The organization eats clean meats, and respectfully requests that there be no pork, bacon, crab, shellfish, squid or octopus cooked in the kitchenettes. Alcohol is not allowed on site : Evidence of alcohol containers, corks, corkscrews, etc. - including any in the garbage--is grounds for the FFSC being banned from using this wonderful facility in the future. Masks are still recommended in the buildings. FFSC Long-Distance Foray Policies By registering for and attending this event, you are also agreeing to these policies: Potluck Essentials : You agree that you understand acceptable mushroom species to serve. Personal Responsibility : FFSC is not responsible for any harm caused by potluck dishes or collected mushrooms that are eaten, handled or prepared inappropriately. Participants are responsible for deciding what to eat. Contact Poison Control if an emergency occurs. Collection Ethics & Etiquette : Help us make sure local and state agencies keep allowing us to collect mushrooms! Additional Policies for Long-Distance Forays : You agree you understand the risks, and how long-distance forays are typically operated. Please login as an FFSC member to see additional policies and other information below. Members Only Content Login Join FFSC

Stephanie S. Jarvis, MSc Director of Mycology R & D | M2 Ingredients Founder | Pacific Truffle Growers Stephanie Jarvis is an interdisciplinary mycologist and executive cultivator with over 20 years of leadership in solid-state fermentation, fungal biotechnology, and ecological restoration. With a Master of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology from San Francisco State University, her groundbreaking thesis on the Lycoperdaceae of California included statewide fungal surveys, DNA sequencing, and the discovery of two new species. Stephanie has since built a career at the intersection of applied science and regenerative agriculture. She is the founder of Pacific Truffle Growers, where she leads orchard restoration, truffle DNA diagnostics, and mycorrhizal cultivation strategies across the U.S.A. Her dual background in taxonomy and field management has made her a trusted consultant for landowners, mushroom farms, and food innovators alike. Additionally, Ms. Jarvis is the Director of Mycology for the largest functional mushroom farm in North America, M2 Ingredients, where she spearheads many R&D projects to improve the efficacy of the functional mushroom industry. A recognized authority in functional mushroom cultivation, Stephanie has developed substrate efficiency protocols for species like Hericium erinaceus , Cordyceps militaris , and Ganoderma lucidum , leveraging qPCR and NGS to validate species purity and optimize biological efficiency. Her passion for sustainable systems includes pioneering the reuse of wine industry byproducts for Shiitake and Oyster mushroom cultivation. Beyond the lab and field, Stephanie is an award-winning educator, keynote speaker, and lifelong mentor. She has led university biology clubs, authored public-facing educational programs, and served as an advisor to the North American Truffle Growers Association. Certified as both an arborist and fermentation specialist, she brings rare fluency in science, soil, and storytelling — cultivating not only fungi but futures. 2026 Stephanie Jarvis in Spain with Tuber melanosporum 2018 2026 Santa Cruz Fungus Fair Talks Buy Tickets Truffles: The Egos, Ecology, and Economics of Cultivating and Hunting Nature’s Nuggets of Gold Because these fungi are far more than gourmet ingredients — they’re ecological power players, political lightning rods, and the ultimate test of patience for… Show More Saturday, January 10, 2026 7:05 PM - 8:05 PM Room 3

Noah Siegel Noah is one of North America’s foremost field mycologists; he has spent over three decades seeking, photographing, identifying, and furthering his knowledge about all aspects of macrofungi. He travels and lectures extensively across America, following the mushrooms from coast to coast. Noah was the recipient of the 2022 North American Mycological Association’s Award for Contributions to Amateur Mycology. His primary research interest is on the taxonomy and systematics of fungi. He authored, along with Christian Schwarz, " Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast ", and " Mushrooms of Cascadia ", as well as " A Field Guide to the Rare Fungi of California's National Forests ". He is currently working on " Mushrooms of Alaska ", with Steve Trudell and Kate Mohatt. 2026 Noah Siegel 2026 Santa Cruz Fungus Fair Talks Buy Tickets Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast From towering redwoods to live oak woodlands, northern California has diverse habitats which host a dazzling array of fungi. From the worlds largest chanterelle,… Show More Saturday, January 11, 2025 10:45 PM - 11:45 PM Room 3 Adventures of a Mycohobo Ever wonder what mushrooms occur in the jungles of tropical Africa and South America, or the dripping, moss covered Antarctic Beech forests of New… Show More Sunday, January 12, 2025 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Room 3