Intro to Field ID Course room change
Due to unanticipated demand we've switched from Studio 2 (upstairs) to the Garden Hall (downstairs) at the TBG. With the larger room there's now no cap on attendance.
Specimens, Specimens, and More Specimens!
The annual Cain Foray is #WorthIt for the Sort, but it is important to pay close attention to the specimens you collect on the forays. In general, the Mycological Society advises against over-picking fungi which may mean curbing your enthusiasm somewhat and not duplicating specimens (see mushroomer’s code).
At the Cain Foray typically 270+ species of fungi are collected. What’s interesting is that different weather conditions affect what is collected in abundance.
For example:
- In 2011, it was a great year for parasitism. We were instructed to look for specimens with powdery coatings, or gills that had been aborted by overgrowth of a second fungi species.
- In 2015, the sorting tables were nearly devoid of Tricholoma, Entoloma and Cortinarius and many of the boletes that were brought back were unidentifiable due to Hypomyces Chrysopermus, a cottony soft ascomycete parasite.
- Unusually high numbers of bolete species were reported in 2004.
- Slime molds were big in 2006.
- Only two specimens of Leotia Stipitata were found in 1979, at the Dorset location.
What will be in abundance this year? We look forward to finding out at this year’s Cain. See you there!
Registration is open for this year's Cain.
Supercharge your Cain Foray Experience
This year the Cain Foray will be based at Lumina Resort on Lake of Bays in Muskoka Ontario.
Lumina has many amenities - including a pool, bar, waterfront activities, and shuffleboard—and a gigantic room to do our sorting in! These together with the extensive grounds of the resort allow plenty of opportunity for Mycological Society members to #supercharge their Cain experience!
In addition to fun fungi forays, wonderful meals with friends, and exciting guest mycologists who share their expertise, we have special activities planned including:
- Friday night BBQ dinner and reception
- Saturday night bonfire
- A fungi cook-up
Last year everyone enjoyed a dip in the lake to beat the heat and this year we are thrilled to be back at the Lumina Resort again!
Registration is open for this year's Cain.
2018 Fall Foray Schedule Posted!
The MST's 2018 fall foray schedule has been finalized and is posted on the foray schedule page. There are 16 forays from September 1st to October 21st.
MST members whose membership dues are up to date will also receive the foray schedule by email next week - check your spam or junk mail folders. The event calendar has also been updated with all the fall forays.
Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions. Information on how to prepare for forays can be found on the Foray Etiquette and Preparation page.
We still need volunteers to lead and co-lead some forays. Without the help of the members these forays may not happen. You don't need experience or strong field identification skills, just a commitment to being present and keeping the foray organized. Please help! Email the foray director at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and let us know which forays you can help with.
MST members may sign in to the website with their email address and password to see driving directions on the foray schedule page. Also available to members is a map with all MST foray locations marked.
All MST members have an account on the website. If you can't remember your password, please click here to request a password reset. Enter the email address we have on record for your membership and you'll receive a link by email to reset your password (don't forget to check your spam or junk mail folder if you don't see the email).
MST members who joined prior to May 25th, 2018 may also sign in with their MST website username. If you have a username and can't remember it, please either sign in using your email address or click here to retrieve your username by email.