Mycological Society of Toronto

In case of mushroom poisoning, contact your local Poison Centre. In Toronto, call (416) 813-5900.

The Mycological Society of Toronto is a non-profit club for amateur mycologists and others with an interest in wild mushrooms and other fungi, centred in Toronto, Canada. Our activities are open to members and one time guests. Learn more about us: Please read!

NOTE to NON-MEMBERS
To get Information about our Society, about its Programs and Events, please use the Index on the left to view Contents of this website. These are linked to pages with the relevant information. Also, for current information see Current News below.
You may request information by email from the Foray Director about a mushroom that you have found; or if a non-member wishes to attend a Spring or Fall Foray, as a one-time guest, before applying for membership, they may choose the foray they wish to attend from the current year's Forays Schedule when it is posted. Please email your request to Andrew at: dawhitetreecare@gmail.com
or
To request information by email from the Membership Director about a non-member attending a Meeting of their choice, as a one-time guest, please email your request to Stella at: stella.tracy@rogers.com
CURRENT NEWS
NEW! Please view the 2011-2012 Meetings if you wish to attend a meeting, one-time only guest before you join the Society. Make your request from Stella by email, address shown above. (See Contents for meeting details: (Forays, Forays Schedule, and Meetings , or Special Events)
NEW! Upcoming FEBRUARY General Meeting will be held on the fourth Monday, February 27, 2012 at the Toronto Botanical Garden, Leslie St. and Lawrence Ave. Our speaker will be Vera Del Vecchio, an MST member, and President of Healthy Earthy. Her topic will be "Bokashi or (EM) Effective Microorganisms Technology", more effective than Composting. Systems are used to process kitchen food waste and converts all waste to soil nutrients to make your plants vigorous and healthy. It is 10 times faster than composting, more importantly it is non-polluting as greenhouse gases are eliminated. See Contents for meetings. (Forays, Forays Schedule; Meetings; & Special Events)
Members! Results from the Summer Foray that was led by Ernie Gallo and Umberto Pascali, Saturday, July 16th near Barrie, have now been posted under Summer Report 2011. (See Contents for: Foray Collections, Reports and Photo Gallery)
Course on Mushroom Identification: Pat Burchell, Past President of MST, will offered a short course on mushroom identification on Wednesday evenings in September. The course is intended for beginners, and focused on field identification of gilled mushrooms and boletes based on macroscopic features. Sessions combined Powerpoint presentations and hands on practice utilizing fresh specimens. Participants were encouraged to bring in specimens for identification by the group. Pre-registration was required as course enrolment was limited to 24 participants. Click on Registration Form to see details about the course; cost, dates, time and place. This course was similar to that taught by Pat's late husband, Vello Soots, between 1990 and 2008, but shorter and more limited in its scope. She utilized many photographs taken by Vello in her presentations. Pat has also put together a commemorative CD which includes the Powerpoint presentation from Vello's last course in 2008 and three other presentations given from 2006 to 2008. The CD is not intended as a self instruction tool, but as a souvenir for those who attended his course and/or presentations, and as a way for new members, who never had the opportunity to meet him, to at least enjoy his photographs and learn a little about his contribution to the MST. Copies of the CD are available free to MST members. Contact Pat Burchell at pburchell@rogers.com
The 2011 SPRING FORAYS Collections have been posted! (See Contents for foray details: Forays and Meetings & Special Events)
The 2010 FALL FORAYS Collections are posted. (See Contents for foray details: Forays and Meetings & Special Events)
The Vello Soots Memorial Cain Foray held in Muskoka during the weekend of September 17th.-19th. 2010, yielded 266 species that were identified and confirmed by mycologists; 28 new species were found. A listing of all species identified at past Cain forays 2004-2010 in the same general area is available for viewing. (For those particulars, see the Contents: click on Cain Foray).
The 2010 Summer Foray held May 10th in the Niagara-on-the-Lake Area yielded over 30 species. View the report using the Contents. (See Contents for: Foray Collections, Reports and Photo Gallery)
Identified species from the 2010 Spring Forays are posted. The first foray was held Saturday, May 1st. (See contents for: Foray Collections, Reports and Photo Gallery)
MST's Gourmet Mushroom Dinner. These special events ares always a sell-out and members spent a delightful evening of fine dining and socializing. (See contents for Special Event details: Forays and Meetings & Special Events)
FYI A resource Library List of books is posted on the web site and can be accessed from the contents on the Home page. (Programs, Services, and Resource Library List page).
FYI Spring Forays, the Summer Foray and Fall Forays: Species of fungi are collected and identified at forays during May to November at the various foray locations listed! (See Contents for: Foray Collections, Reports and Photo Gallery).
FYI For upcoming 2011-2012 Meetings, point-and-click on Meetings in the Contents for particulars. These are updated when speakers are confirmed for each meeting.
FYI A record of Speakers and a brief description of their presentations at Past Meetings held between years 2004-2011 can be viewed at the end of the current schedule of Meetings for the current year. (See Meetings in the Contents).
FYI The MST was asked to participate and lead a foray, "Fungus Amongst Us", in Col. Danforth Park, as part of the Highland Creek Community Stewardship Program with the objectives of providing the public with a discussion of the various species of Fungi, and the role they play in forest health in the Highland Creek watershed. A 2006 Fungal Inventory of Col. Danforth Park has now been reported and can be accessed through Foray Collections, Reports and Photos in the index. As well in 2006, the MST was given approval by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to carry out similar inventories during the summer and fall in both Cold Creek Conservation Area and Glen Major and Walker Woods. Inventories of these can also be accessed from the site as mentioned above.
FYI Schedules of annual Fall and Spring Forays will be updated prior to each season.
FYI Our Fall Fungi Fair mushroom display was discontinued in 2004 due to low attendance by the public.
FYI In the Index, please review the Recreation Policy information Part 1 and Part 2, submitted by Terry Kirk, MST member, on behalf of Simcoe County Forest. Gathering of mushrooms, fiddleheads and other naturally occurring edibles and medicinal plants have been growing at a rapid rate. Although considered a healthy and harmless activity, there is a concern among experts that over harvesting may impact the sustainability of some species in some localities. Appropriate harvesting practices will be investigated by naturalists to educate users. Their recommendations are that harvesting non-wood forest products be permitted for personal use only, but the County reserves the right to restrict harvesting if warranted. There is concern with safety for mushroomers, so be aware that forests are used by other groups as well. Other uses being Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hunting and Fishing, and Logging Operations. Signs must be read and obeyed.

In case of mushroom poisoning, contact your local Poison Centre. In Toronto, call (416) 813-5900.

Last updated 18/01/12