MycoBlitz Events

You may well ask, ‘What is a MycoBlitz?’

A MycoBlitz is a quick, intense survey of the fungal species present in a specified area.

FTCCIS has to date conducted two MycoBlitz events, with two overarching goals; to initiate an inventory of fungi in the Children’s Forest, and to offer public education on this critical part of our forest ecosystems.

2020

Paul Stamets, mycologist, reknown fungi expert, researcher and story-teller mesmerized participants with fungal lore, and provided professional identification of our first MycoBlitz.

An amazing total of 63 species of macro fungi were documented over the two days!  Amongst the highlights was the identification of ‘Galerina autumnalis’, Autumn Skullcap, one of the most deadly fungi in the Pacific Northwest. Imagine how many more fungi are waiting for discovery!

Paul mentored six youth & young adults in mushroom identification and fungal inventory, who in turn, guided families through interpretative MYCOstationssin the Children’s Forest. This inventory contributed to the Cortes Biodiversity Project, which in turn, contributed to the regional, cross-border Salish Sea Biodiversity Project.

2023

A fungal explosion of interest in mushrooms generated a full weekend of fungal activity directed by three outstanding mycologists –  Andy MacKinnon (co-author of Mushrooms of BC), Paul Kroeger (President of the Vancouver Mycological Society) and Paul Stamets (Founder of Fungi Perfecti), to join the Cortes community in a celebration of Kingdom Fungi. 

Activities included: research fungal inventory of Children’s Forest with Andy, Paul K, Paul S and youth research teams;  a community fungal foray attended by 100+  mushroom afficionados, and community screening of Merlin Sheldrake’s new film, ‘Fungi: Web of Life’ (recently premiered on Imax theatres), and an exquisite display of fungal specimens to contribute to UBC’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum.