What You'll Learn

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to recognize the California trees that shape where mushrooms grow. We’ll start with the big picture—why tree identification matters for foraging—by connecting common California trees to the fungi they host, from ectomycorrhizal partners like oaks, pines, and madrone to arbuscular-mycorrhizal hardwoods that support very different mushroom communities. You’ll learn practical field clues for telling hardwood from softwood, distinguishing major conifer groups, and separating commonly confused broadleaf trees such as birch, maple, and oak. Along the way, we’ll cover the features botanists actually use in the field: bark color and texture, leaf arrangement and shape, and cones, acorns, and other fruits.

This is an interactive, specimen-based class. After the interactive lecture, we’ll provide leaves, cones, and fruits for a guided ID quiz so you can practice using diagnostic traits. Then we’ll head outside to apply your skills in real time. By the end, you’ll have a toolkit for quickly identifying common host trees and a clearer understanding of how fungal ecology can make you a faster, more accurate, and more successful mushroom hunter.

Where and When

Berkeley, CA 11 am-5 pm

Please plan to bring your own lunch, snacks, water, notebook and pen.

Instructor:

Dr. Cat Adams (she/her) Hailing from Seattle, Washington, Cat Adams, PhD, is a Research Scientist studying fungal ecology at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. She earned her BS in Biology (Ecology and Evolution) from the University of Washington, where she first fell in love with fungi. Cat earned her Masters with Anne Pringle from Harvard University studying how wild fungal seed pathogens of wild chili peppers evolved tolerance to spice. Her PhD at UC Berkeley was on the chemical ecology of the death cap mushroom, Amanita phalloides. For her postdoc, Cat studied how fungal farts (VOCs) from a root-associated fungus can inhibit bacteria that also live on the plant root. She has a penchant for public outreach, and has written for Slate and BBC Earth. On the weekends, Cat enjoys mushroom hunting, cooking with mushrooms, giving guest lectures about mushrooms, and attending mushroom camps.

Ticket Options (includes 6 hour class + admission to botanical garden)

• $175 pay it forward adult ticket 

• $150 adult standard adult ticket

• $100 adult community-supported adult ticket

• $83 per teen (age 13-17, must be accompanied by an adult)

• $63 per child (recommended for age 7 and older, but you know your child best)

A portion of your ticket fee goes to the Native American Rights Fund.

This trip goes rain or shine! 

•  In case of hazardous weather such as snow, high wind, or fire, we reserve the option to cancel your date and offer reschedule, refund, or gift ticket

•  All participants should be prepared to walk slowly, covering about 3-5 miles on uneven terrain. This program may involve driving an additional hour from our first meeting spot during the program (we got where the mushrooms are, and they move around throughout the season!)

• This class is capped at 30 participants

•  Fees cover program costs only and do not cover transportation, gear, or lodging

•  You will be required to sign a waiver to participate

More Important Details

These programs are very popular and often fill up very quickly. We encourage you to register right away if you'd like to attend!

You will receive a registration confirmation once we've received this form + your payment + your signed liability waiver. We cannot hold your spot until we've received all 3.