The Mycological Association of Washington, Inc. upcoming events

DNA Lab Day @ Mount Rainier Nature Center (24 May 2026)

Sun, 24 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us at Mount Rainier Nature Center at 10am to bring your mushroom samples or at 1pm to ask questions about our process or anything fungi. Our experts are excited to see you! Mark your calendars!

Mount Rainier Nature Center is located at 4701 31st Place, Mount Rainier MD, 20712

If you are bringing samples to us, please ensure that the samples have been properly documented on iNaturalist, and that each of your samples has a unique iNaturalist observation number by the time of your arrival. Follow the process below to make your observation:

MAKING AN OBSERVATION

PHOTOGRAPH BEFORE DETACHING!

Take more than one picture
Show where the fungus is growing from (substrate)
- If attached to something living, identify as much as possible. Ex: conifer, deciduous, oak, american holly, etc.
Photograph the habit (growing alone, gregarious, in clusters, etc.)
Take a picture from the top

DETACH

Take a picture of the underside
Cut through the spore producing surface and notice if there are changes in color or secretion of latex. If so annotate and photograph
Add any smell or bruising you observe in the notes section

PREPARING SAMPLE FOR DNA EXTRACTION

Place the mushroom on a coffee filter, piece of paper, or wax bag
Write the voucher information: date of collection, location, name of collector, field ID (Russula, Bolete, Agaricus, etc) and iNaturalist observation number.
Place your sample inside its voucher bag in a dehydrator at 100° until it is dry as cardboard. The timing of his process will vary depending on the size of the mushroom.
- If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can place the mushroom in your oven using its lowest setting and leaving the door of the oven cracked with a clothespin. Check on this setting every hour to prevent burning or cooking the specimen.
Once the specimen has been dried, wait for it to cool to room temperature and place the voucher bag and the mushroom inside in a closed ziplock bag to prevent rehydration with humid air.

Once you have a dried specimen inside a bag labeled with your name, location, date of collection, iNaturalist observation number, and approximate ID, you are ready to bring the sample to us

In the link below you’ll find the slideshow used for the training on how to make observations and how to label your sample bag to serve as a voucher as well.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18N69qmR7zaUbveKunJVO6vcwY1hSQoYobPJFaUd2HDk/edit?usp=drivesdk

We will receive your properly documented sample with our deepest gratitude

We are excited to see you there!

-Serenella Linares, Programs Chair & Megan Romberg, Science Advisor
The Mycological Association of Washington, Inc.

Summertime Board Meeting (27 May 2026)

Wed, 27 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Zoom Link:

https://zoom.us/j/96693690911?pwd=YWdyeXh1bHF1N1UyNjNieFovNWFUZz09

Meeting ID 966 9369 0911

Passcode 330827

Cosca Park Bioblitz (20 Jun 2026)

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Mark your calendars and join the Maryland Biodiversity Project, the Department and Parks and Recreation of Prince George's County and MAWDC to learn about the wonderful species that call Cosca Regional Park their home. Understanding which species live in our neighborhoods helps us better study and protect them. However, we can only achieve this if scientists, land managers, and YOU work together. By participating, you aren’t just learning about local nature, you’re helping make your city a better place for every species!

The Maryland Biodiversity Project will arrange guided walks led by our regional experts to learn to identify different organisms such as: mushrooms, mammals, insects, plants and more!

What to bring:

A fully charged phone (for documenting your finds!)
iNaturalist app* installed and ready to make observations
A reusable water bottle
Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
Weather-appropriate clothing

*To learn about iNaturalist and how to use it, please register for our

iNaturalist trainings HERE

Address: Clearwater Nature Center, 11401 Thrift Rd, Clinton, MD 20735

Organized as a collaboration of:
Maryland Biodiversity Project, Prince George's Department of Parks and Recreation, & The Mycological Association of Washington DC

For questions contact Serenella Linares at programs@mawdc.org

Shorter DNA Lab Day @ Mount Rainier Nature Center (28 Jun 2026)

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us at Mount Rainier Nature Center at 10am to bring your mushroom samples or to ask questions about our process or anything fungi. Our experts are excited to see you! Mark your calendars! THIS IS A SPECIAL SHORTER VERSION TO ALLOW ATTENDANCE TO THE PICNIC!

Mount Rainier Nature Center is located at 4701 31st Place, Mount Rainier MD, 20712

MAKING AN OBSERVATION

PHOTOGRAPH BEFORE DETACHING!

Take more than one picture
Show where the fungus is growing from (substrate)
- If attached to something living, identify as much as possible. Ex: conifer, deciduous, oak, american holly, etc.
Photograph the habit (growing alone, gregarious, in clusters, etc.)
Take a picture from the top

DETACH

Take a picture of the underside
Cut through the spore producing surface and notice if there are changes in color or secretion of latex. If so annotate and photograph
Add any smell or bruising you observe in the notes section

PREPARING SAMPLE FOR DNA EXTRACTION

Place the mushroom on a coffee filter, piece of paper, or wax bag
Write the voucher information: date of collection, location, name of collector, field ID (Russula, Bolete, Agaricus, etc) and iNaturalist observation number.
Place your sample inside its voucher bag in a dehydrator at 100° until it is dry as cardboard. The timing of his process will vary depending on the size of the mushroom.
- If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can place the mushroom in your oven using its lowest setting and leaving the door of the oven cracked with a clothespin. Check on this setting every hour to prevent burning or cooking the specimen.
Once the specimen has been dried, wait for it to cool to room temperature and place the voucher bag and the mushroom inside in a closed ziplock bag to prevent rehydration with humid air.

Once you have a dried specimen inside a bag labeled with your name, location, date of collection, iNaturalist observation number, and approximate ID, you are ready to bring the sample to us

In the link below you’ll find the slideshow used for the training on how to make observations and how to label your sample bag to serve as a voucher as well.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18N69qmR7zaUbveKunJVO6vcwY1hSQoYobPJFaUd2HDk/edit?usp=drivesdk

We will receive your properly documented sample with our deepest gratitude

We are excited to see you there!

-Serenella Linares, Programs Chair & Megan Romberg, Science Advisor
The Mycological Association of Washington, Inc.

MAWDC Annual Picnic - SAVE THE DATE (28 Jun 2026)

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Let's get together IN PERSON! Mark your calendars and REGISTER for the Annual Picninc at Carderock Recreation Area!

The picnic will be held at: Carderock Recreation Area, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath, Potomac, MD 20854 (on Google maps)

Start the morning with a guided walk
Picnic, potluck style starting at 12noon
Family friendly game

Bring your family, dog, toys, insect repellant, and a dish to share.

Running water, bathrooms, and electricity available on-site

Free parking adjacent to the pavilion.

MAWDC will provide cold drinks and mushrooms to put on the grill.

Registration opens on Jun 1

DNA Lab Day @ Mount Rainier Nature Center (26 Jul 2026)

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Mount Rainier Nature Center is located at 4701 31st Place, Mount Rainier MD, 20712

MAKING AN OBSERVATION

PHOTOGRAPH BEFORE DETACHING!

Take more than one picture
Show where the fungus is growing from (substrate)
- If attached to something living, identify as much as possible. Ex: conifer, deciduous, oak, american holly, etc.
Photograph the habit (growing alone, gregarious, in clusters, etc.)
Take a picture from the top

DETACH

Take a picture of the underside
Cut through the spore producing surface and notice if there are changes in color or secretion of latex. If so annotate and photograph
Add any smell or bruising you observe in the notes section

PREPARING SAMPLE FOR DNA EXTRACTION

Place the mushroom on a coffee filter, piece of paper, or wax bag
Write the voucher information: date of collection, location, name of collector, field ID (Russula, Bolete, Agaricus, etc) and iNaturalist observation number.
Place your sample inside its voucher bag in a dehydrator at 100° until it is dry as cardboard. The timing of his process will vary depending on the size of the mushroom.
- If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can place the mushroom in your oven using its lowest setting and leaving the door of the oven cracked with a clothespin. Check on this setting every hour to prevent burning or cooking the specimen.
Once the specimen has been dried, wait for it to cool to room temperature and place the voucher bag and the mushroom inside in a closed ziplock bag to prevent rehydration with humid air.

Once you have a dried specimen inside a bag labeled with your name, location, date of collection, iNaturalist observation number, and approximate ID, you are ready to bring the sample to us

In the link below you’ll find the slideshow used for the training on how to make observations and how to label your sample bag to serve as a voucher as well.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18N69qmR7zaUbveKunJVO6vcwY1hSQoYobPJFaUd2HDk/edit?usp=drivesdk

We will receive your properly documented sample with our deepest gratitude

We are excited to see you there!

-Serenella Linares, Programs Chair & Megan Romberg, Science Advisor
The Mycological Association of Washington, Inc.

Fall Board Meeting (28 Jul 2026)

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Zoom Link:

https://zoom.us/j/96693690911?pwd=YWdyeXh1bHF1N1UyNjNieFovNWFUZz09

Meeting ID 966 9369 0911

Passcode 330827

DNA Lab Day @ Mount Rainier Nature Center (23 Aug 2026)

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Mount Rainier Nature Center is located at 4701 31st Place, Mount Rainier MD, 20712

MAKING AN OBSERVATION

PHOTOGRAPH BEFORE DETACHING!

Take more than one picture
Show where the fungus is growing from (substrate)
- If attached to something living, identify as much as possible. Ex: conifer, deciduous, oak, american holly, etc.
Photograph the habit (growing alone, gregarious, in clusters, etc.)
Take a picture from the top

DETACH

Take a picture of the underside
Cut through the spore producing surface and notice if there are changes in color or secretion of latex. If so annotate and photograph
Add any smell or bruising you observe in the notes section

PREPARING SAMPLE FOR DNA EXTRACTION

Place the mushroom on a coffee filter, piece of paper, or wax bag
Write the voucher information: date of collection, location, name of collector, field ID (Russula, Bolete, Agaricus, etc) and iNaturalist observation number.
Place your sample inside its voucher bag in a dehydrator at 100° until it is dry as cardboard. The timing of his process will vary depending on the size of the mushroom.
- If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can place the mushroom in your oven using its lowest setting and leaving the door of the oven cracked with a clothespin. Check on this setting every hour to prevent burning or cooking the specimen.
Once the specimen has been dried, wait for it to cool to room temperature and place the voucher bag and the mushroom inside in a closed ziplock bag to prevent rehydration with humid air.

Once you have a dried specimen inside a bag labeled with your name, location, date of collection, iNaturalist observation number, and approximate ID, you are ready to bring the sample to us

In the link below you’ll find the slideshow used for the training on how to make observations and how to label your sample bag to serve as a voucher as well.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18N69qmR7zaUbveKunJVO6vcwY1hSQoYobPJFaUd2HDk/edit?usp=drivesdk

We will receive your properly documented sample with our deepest gratitude

We are excited to see you there!

-Serenella Linares, Programs Chair & Megan Romberg, Science Advisor
The Mycological Association of Washington, Inc.

Camp Sequanota Mushroom Weekend (03 Sep 2026)

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 19:00:00 GMT

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN IN EARLY SUMMER 2026 and will close August 16

To register, click the gray Register button that appears below the lodging options. (On your phone it should be just above this text and on desktop it should be to the left of this text at the very bottom.)

Join MAW for a mushroom-filled weekend in Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands. Our foray at Camp Sequanota has been an annual event for more than 40 years. It's a great opportunity to advance your mushroom knowledge and get to know other mushroom and nature enthusiasts.

Our guest mycologists are Shannon Nix and Todd Elliott.

Each day we will have mushroom hunting walks at various locations and on Saturday & Sunday we will have workshops -- including mushroom cooking, mushroom ID for newbies, mushroom paper making, fungal felting, mushroom sculpting, and documenting mushroom diversity. In the evenings after dinner on Saturday and Sunday our guest mycologists will give presentations. Saturday concludes with a night walk, and Sunday evening wraps up with our fourth annual myco-costume/talent show (bring along a costume, a song, a poem, or a skit!)

Your registration includes 8 meals (Friday evening to Monday breakfast), all walks, workshops, and evening programs. (Thursday evening arrival is an extra add-on and will include Friday breakfast and lunch.)

Onsite accommodations options are rustic motel-style rooms, summer camp style cabins, or tenting. (Keep in mind nature is all around so it's possible there may be some small non-human guests in accomodations - staff will do their best to escort any uninvited critters back outside.) There are also a few different hotels within 20-25 minutes of the campus.

It takes many hands to put on this event so please consider volunteering some of your time to help with tasks such as cleaning foraged mushrooms and cleanup at the end of the event.

Note: guests are not permitted to bring dogs to Sequanota.

DNA Lab Day @ Mount Rainier Nature Center (27 Sep 2026)

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Mount Rainier Nature Center is located at 4701 31st Place, Mount Rainier MD, 20712

MAKING AN OBSERVATION

PHOTOGRAPH BEFORE DETACHING!

Take more than one picture
Show where the fungus is growing from (substrate)
- If attached to something living, identify as much as possible. Ex: conifer, deciduous, oak, american holly, etc.
Photograph the habit (growing alone, gregarious, in clusters, etc.)
Take a picture from the top

DETACH

Take a picture of the underside
Cut through the spore producing surface and notice if there are changes in color or secretion of latex. If so annotate and photograph
Add any smell or bruising you observe in the notes section

PREPARING SAMPLE FOR DNA EXTRACTION

Place the mushroom on a coffee filter, piece of paper, or wax bag
Write the voucher information: date of collection, location, name of collector, field ID (Russula, Bolete, Agaricus, etc) and iNaturalist observation number.
Place your sample inside its voucher bag in a dehydrator at 100° until it is dry as cardboard. The timing of his process will vary depending on the size of the mushroom.
- If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can place the mushroom in your oven using its lowest setting and leaving the door of the oven cracked with a clothespin. Check on this setting every hour to prevent burning or cooking the specimen.
Once the specimen has been dried, wait for it to cool to room temperature and place the voucher bag and the mushroom inside in a closed ziplock bag to prevent rehydration with humid air.

Once you have a dried specimen inside a bag labeled with your name, location, date of collection, iNaturalist observation number, and approximate ID, you are ready to bring the sample to us

In the link below you’ll find the slideshow used for the training on how to make observations and how to label your sample bag to serve as a voucher as well.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18N69qmR7zaUbveKunJVO6vcwY1hSQoYobPJFaUd2HDk/edit?usp=drivesdk

We will receive your properly documented sample with our deepest gratitude

We are excited to see you there!

-Serenella Linares, Programs Chair & Megan Romberg, Science Advisor
The Mycological Association of Washington, Inc.

MAW 2026 Mushroom Fair (11 Oct 2026)

Sun, 11 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Join the Mycological Association of Washington for our annual mushroom fair at Brookside Gardens Sunday October 11, from 12 pm to 5 pm. Open to the general public, the 2025 MAW Mushroom Fair will mushroom ID walks on the grounds of Brookside and Wheaton Regional Park, a display of numerous local mushrooms, mushroom-themed demonstrations, spore microscopy, mycelial sculpting, mushroom cultivation and more. This family-friendly event will also feature kids' activities, including a trio of mushroom-themed books read by the author (MAW’s own AD Gray). Bring cash to purchase mushroom art, photography, tinctures, grow kits, and more from onsite vendors.

Mushroom walks will depart every half hour to explore the grounds of Brookside Gardens and Wheaton Regional Park. No registration is required; this event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact vp@mawdc.org. Carpool link for MAW members is here.

DNA Lab Day @ Mount Rainier Nature Center (25 Oct 2026)

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Mount Rainier Nature Center is located at 4701 31st Place, Mount Rainier MD, 20712

MAKING AN OBSERVATION

PHOTOGRAPH BEFORE DETACHING!

Take more than one picture
Show where the fungus is growing from (substrate)
- If attached to something living, identify as much as possible. Ex: conifer, deciduous, oak, american holly, etc.
Photograph the habit (growing alone, gregarious, in clusters, etc.)
Take a picture from the top

DETACH

Take a picture of the underside
Cut through the spore producing surface and notice if there are changes in color or secretion of latex. If so annotate and photograph
Add any smell or bruising you observe in the notes section

PREPARING SAMPLE FOR DNA EXTRACTION

Place the mushroom on a coffee filter, piece of paper, or wax bag
Write the voucher information: date of collection, location, name of collector, field ID (Russula, Bolete, Agaricus, etc) and iNaturalist observation number.
Place your sample inside its voucher bag in a dehydrator at 100° until it is dry as cardboard. The timing of his process will vary depending on the size of the mushroom.
- If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can place the mushroom in your oven using its lowest setting and leaving the door of the oven cracked with a clothespin. Check on this setting every hour to prevent burning or cooking the specimen.
Once the specimen has been dried, wait for it to cool to room temperature and place the voucher bag and the mushroom inside in a closed ziplock bag to prevent rehydration with humid air.

Once you have a dried specimen inside a bag labeled with your name, location, date of collection, iNaturalist observation number, and approximate ID, you are ready to bring the sample to us

In the link below you’ll find the slideshow used for the training on how to make observations and how to label your sample bag to serve as a voucher as well.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18N69qmR7zaUbveKunJVO6vcwY1hSQoYobPJFaUd2HDk/edit?usp=drivesdk

We will receive your properly documented sample with our deepest gratitude

We are excited to see you there!

-Serenella Linares, Programs Chair & Megan Romberg, Science Advisor
The Mycological Association of Washington, Inc.

DNA Lab Day @ Mount Rainier Nature Center (29 Nov 2026)

Sun, 29 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Mount Rainier Nature Center is located at 4701 31st Place, Mount Rainier MD, 20712

MAKING AN OBSERVATION

PHOTOGRAPH BEFORE DETACHING!

Take more than one picture
Show where the fungus is growing from (substrate)
- If attached to something living, identify as much as possible. Ex: conifer, deciduous, oak, american holly, etc.
Photograph the habit (growing alone, gregarious, in clusters, etc.)
Take a picture from the top

DETACH

Take a picture of the underside
Cut through the spore producing surface and notice if there are changes in color or secretion of latex. If so annotate and photograph
Add any smell or bruising you observe in the notes section

PREPARING SAMPLE FOR DNA EXTRACTION

Place the mushroom on a coffee filter, piece of paper, or wax bag
Write the voucher information: date of collection, location, name of collector, field ID (Russula, Bolete, Agaricus, etc) and iNaturalist observation number.
Place your sample inside its voucher bag in a dehydrator at 100° until it is dry as cardboard. The timing of his process will vary depending on the size of the mushroom.
- If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can place the mushroom in your oven using its lowest setting and leaving the door of the oven cracked with a clothespin. Check on this setting every hour to prevent burning or cooking the specimen.
Once the specimen has been dried, wait for it to cool to room temperature and place the voucher bag and the mushroom inside in a closed ziplock bag to prevent rehydration with humid air.

Once you have a dried specimen inside a bag labeled with your name, location, date of collection, iNaturalist observation number, and approximate ID, you are ready to bring the sample to us

In the link below you’ll find the slideshow used for the training on how to make observations and how to label your sample bag to serve as a voucher as well.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18N69qmR7zaUbveKunJVO6vcwY1hSQoYobPJFaUd2HDk/edit?usp=drivesdk

We will receive your properly documented sample with our deepest gratitude

We are excited to see you there!

-Serenella Linares, Programs Chair & Megan Romberg, Science Advisor
The Mycological Association of Washington, Inc.

Winter Board Meeting (13 Dec 2026)

Sun, 13 Dec 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Zoom Link:

https://zoom.us/j/96693690911?pwd=YWdyeXh1bHF1N1UyNjNieFovNWFUZz09

Meeting ID 966 9369 0911

Passcode 330827

DNA Lab Day @ Mount Rainier Nature Center (20 Dec 2026)

Sun, 20 Dec 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Mount Rainier Nature Center is located at 4701 31st Place, Mount Rainier MD, 20712

MAKING AN OBSERVATION

PHOTOGRAPH BEFORE DETACHING!

Take more than one picture
Show where the fungus is growing from (substrate)
- If attached to something living, identify as much as possible. Ex: conifer, deciduous, oak, american holly, etc.
Photograph the habit (growing alone, gregarious, in clusters, etc.)
Take a picture from the top

DETACH

Take a picture of the underside
Cut through the spore producing surface and notice if there are changes in color or secretion of latex. If so annotate and photograph
Add any smell or bruising you observe in the notes section

PREPARING SAMPLE FOR DNA EXTRACTION

Place the mushroom on a coffee filter, piece of paper, or wax bag
Write the voucher information: date of collection, location, name of collector, field ID (Russula, Bolete, Agaricus, etc) and iNaturalist observation number.
Place your sample inside its voucher bag in a dehydrator at 100° until it is dry as cardboard. The timing of his process will vary depending on the size of the mushroom.
- If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can place the mushroom in your oven using its lowest setting and leaving the door of the oven cracked with a clothespin. Check on this setting every hour to prevent burning or cooking the specimen.
Once the specimen has been dried, wait for it to cool to room temperature and place the voucher bag and the mushroom inside in a closed ziplock bag to prevent rehydration with humid air.

Once you have a dried specimen inside a bag labeled with your name, location, date of collection, iNaturalist observation number, and approximate ID, you are ready to bring the sample to us

In the link below you’ll find the slideshow used for the training on how to make observations and how to label your sample bag to serve as a voucher as well.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18N69qmR7zaUbveKunJVO6vcwY1hSQoYobPJFaUd2HDk/edit?usp=drivesdk

We will receive your properly documented sample with our deepest gratitude

We are excited to see you there!

-Serenella Linares, Programs Chair & Megan Romberg, Science Advisor
The Mycological Association of Washington, Inc.