The Mycological Association of Washington, Inc. upcoming events

Halloween Lichen Foray- Saturday, Oct 31 (31 Oct 2026)

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Foray Announcement:

Rock Creek Cemetery

Saturday, October 31st - 11:00 AM

Foray Leaders: Dr. Natalie Howe & Tom McCoy

No registration necessary for this event.

In honor of Halloween, MAWDC is hosting a fa-boo-lous lichen identification walk in historic Rock Creek Cemetery with lichenologist Dr. Natalie Howe and Tom McCoy. Lichens are composite organisms that grow on rocks, e.g. tombstones, so you should definitely stop in for a spell.

Lichens are best appreciated under magnification, so bring along a hand lens if you have one, but if you don't, no worries, we'll have many available for loan. Also, be aware that Rock Creek Cemetery is famous for its funerary arts, and we'll have a few pauses to appreciate their beauty as our leaders explain the history and symbolism of a few sculptures. We're taking a Halloween walk in a famous cemetery to learn about lichens and amazing art. What fun(gi) we're going to have!

We'll meet at the gate entrance near the intersection of Webster Street and Rock Creek Church Road. Finding parking can be challenging, but you may be able to locate a spot on Webster St., or by parallel parking along New Hampshire Ave.

Map to the location

Stay spooky,

Tom McCoy

MAWDC November Meeting - IN-PERSON (08 Nov 2026)

Sun, 08 Nov 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Let's get together IN PERSON! Mark your calendars and register for a special meeting featuring MAWDC President and Vice President's love for yeast, beer, and culture!

The meeting will be held at 4701 31st Pl. Mount Rainier MD, 20712

Our Association's President, Tom McCoy will start the meeting with announcements and "Save the Date" reminders, followed his rivetting talk:

Imbibe: A History of Being Tipsy

Description: The most important organism in human history is brewer's yeast, and the bountiful harvest we enjoy from this one species of fungi includes bread, beer, wine and so much more. In this talk we'll discuss the sugar eating fungus (yeast) and why it produces the most controversial metabolite in history, alcohol. We'll discuss the history between humans and alcohol, from pre-historic times to that glass of rosé you enjoyed with dinner last evening, pausing to explain the techniques and how other plants/fungi are used to create your favorite libation. Here's to the rise of yeast, cheers!

Bio: Tom is a lifelong nature studies enthusiast, and current president of the Washington D.C. Mycological Association. Both a veteran public speaker and skilled field mycologist, Tom has given many presentations about the natural world at MAWDC over his many years on the board of this wonderful civic association. In his talks, Tom loves to focus on the cultural and societal impact of a particular fungi, and in this chat, he's chosen well as we discuss yeast, the sugar eating fungus that gives us bread, beer and wine.

After a brief intermission, it will be our Vice President's turn to instruct us in the art of beer making!

Join beer enthusiast Allen Perper for a fun and fascinating dive into the world’s most beloved beverage! Allen will guide you through beer's rich history, the essential four ingredients, and the step-by-step brewing process behind every style. You'll learn simple tips to confidently navigate any taproom menu and discover the exact beers tailored to your palate. Come curious, leave thirsty, and gain a whole new appreciation for your next pour!

Bio: Allen has lived in the greater DC area nearly all his life. After receiving a B.S. from the University of Maryland, he worked for 35+ years as a technology and process consultant for large private and public sector organizations. He and his wife Ann have raised 2 sons and he has 3 grandchildren who light up his life. Allen is retired and is intent upon nurturing his heart and his community. He is passionate about gardening, all things fungi, impacting food insecurity, social justice, cooking, baking, volunteering, and catching up on all those house projects that he promised to get around to.

See you all there!

Photo Contest Deadline (10 Nov 2026)

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 05:00:00 GMT

For details on how to name and submit your award winning (potentially) photos, please see this page.

DNA Lab Day @ Mount Rainier Nature Center (15 Nov 2026)

Sun, 15 Nov 2026 15:00:00 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.

Culinary Crew Monthly Meetup (15 Nov 2026)

Sun, 15 Nov 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Get Fired Up for MAW's Culinary Crew Monthly Meetup!

Calling all food lovers, kitchen tinkerers, and culinary enthusiasts! The Mycological Association of Washington (MAW) Culinary Crew is gathering for our monthly meetup, and you’re invited!

Whether you're a seasoned chef, a home cook eager to try new wild mushroom recipes, or simply curious about cooking with fungi, this is the perfect place to connect, collaborate, and share your passion.

Event Details

When: Sunday, November 15 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: Mt. Rainier Nature Center (the same great venue as our DNA Day event!)
Who: All are welcome!

What to Expect

This is an informal, welcoming hangout where we’ll talk all things mushroom cookery—from swapping secret recipes and culinary techniques to brainstorming ideas for future MAW food events and workshops. Bring your ideas, your questions, and your appetite for inspiration!

RSVP & Stay Connected

Let us know you're coming: REGIUSTRATION REQUIRED!
Get in touch: Send an email to culinary@mawdc.org to ask questions, or request to be added to our Culinary Crew discussion group if you aren't already on the list!

We can’t wait to talk food with you—see you there!

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.

MAW 2027 Mushroom Fair (10 Oct 2027)

Sun, 10 Oct 2027 16:00:00 GMT

Join the Mycological Association of Washington DC for our annual Mushroom Fair at Brookside Gardens Sunday October 10, from 12 to 5 pm. Open to the general public, the 2027 MAW Mushroom Fair will feature mushroom identification walks on the grounds of Brookside Gardens and Wheaton Regional Park (weather permitting), 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 fungi drawing and mushroom art making. Bring cash to purchase mushroom art, photography, tinctures, grow kits, and more from onsite vendors. The Fair is indoors and will be held rain or shine.

Mushroom walks will depart every 30 - 45 minutes to explore the grounds of Brookside Gardens and Wheaton Regional Park, weather permitting. No registration is required; this event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact vicepresident@mawdc.org. Carpool link for MAW members is here.