Mushroom ID for Beginners is an in-depth, two-day workshop exploring the fascinating world of fungi. Naturalist and mycologist Mario Abreu will lead an interactive lecture and demonstrations on Saturday, covering the basic taxonomic features used to identify and distinguish mushrooms, where and when different species can be found, and some of the myths surrounding them.
A Field ID Walk on Sunday (optional) offers participants the chance to search for mushrooms associated with the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens' native plant communities. Prefer to explore at your own pace? Participants can also discover the Gardens' wild mushroom collection independently, armed with a list of species commonly found here. The Gardens is home to more than 160 species of wild mushrooms during fall and winter!
Mushrooms found at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens should stay at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens...
Please, DO NOT PICK OR COLLECT from our botanical collection!
The Details
The class will include indoor instruction on Saturday and a guided field walk on Sunday.
We recommend bringing along drinking water, a notebook, and a pen both days.
Saturday's Lecture will take place in the MCBG Farmhouse/Education Center from 10:30 PM to 3:00 PM with a lunch break from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM. There will be a short lunch break, so plan to bring a sack lunch or hop over to Rhody's Garden Cafe during the break.
Sunday's Field ID Walk will meet at the MCBG Farmhouse at one of two optional times — 9:00 AM or 11:30 AM —with a maximum of 8 per session. Be prepared for the weather with appropriate layers.
Workshop Registration
Class size is limited! Registration for this workshop must be completed in advance online or at the MCBG Store.
The registration fee is $76.00 per participant and covers your admission for the day. The discounted rate for current MCBG Members is $66.00 – sign in to access your discount. All fees are non-refundable unless the workshop has been canceled or rescheduled by the Gardens. Proceeds support our nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
Your participation in our workshops, walks, and events directly fuels our education programs, makes free school field trips possible, and helps people of all ages and backgrounds build meaningful connections with plants and the beauty of the natural world.
Thanks from the MCBG Team and all who enjoy this garden by the sea!
About the Instructor
Mario Abreu retired from the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens as the Plant Propagation Supervisor, Natural Areas Coordinator, and Collections Curator after 20 years. Mario holds degrees in Natural History, and Liberal Arts and Science. He has interned for the California Department of Fish and Game Mesocarnivore Assessment, Denver Botanical Gardens Applied Plant Conservation Program, and the College of the Redwoods Plant/Lichen Herbarium.
Mario has led guided mushroom walks at the Gardens for more than 19 years and Mushroom Identification classes for the past 16 years. Additionally, he has provided mushroom walks for the California State Parks/Mendo Parks New Year’s Day Event, Visit Mendocino County Mushroom Festival Events, and private tours.
Mario is a passionate natural history volunteer docent for the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, California State Parks, MendoParks, Dorothy King Young Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, and the UC Berkeley Sudden Oak Death Blitz Citizen Science Program. He also finds time to manage natural history displays at the Ford House Museum in Mendocino that include wildflowers, mushrooms, and the local Ecological Terrace Staircase and its associated Pygmy Forest plant community.
Contact us
If you have any questions about accessibility or our Education Program, call us at 707-964-4352 ext 113 or email administration@gardenbythesea.org.
