NAMA Manning Park Foray 2026

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NAMA, the North American Mycological Association, hosted its second-ever BC foray at E. C. Manning Park from June 1-4. Many members of SVIMS and VMS were part of the production crew and attenders.

NAMA had not been to BC with a foray event since its 1990 Whistler foray.

BC presenters at the event included Paul Kroeger (the mycologist-in-chief), Andy MacKinnon, Elora Adamson, and Kem Luther. Facilitators included Melanie Hesz, Marshall Archibald, and Aril Yeo.

The main focus of the aptly-named “Similkameen Valley Foray and Feast” was food. There were hands-on culinary workshops, and the evening meals were prepared by several well-known chefs. During the day, some of the participants forayed for morel mushrooms in burn locations near the park.

The science aspect of the event centred around the MycoMap BC Project. About 200 specimens were collected, vouchered, and sent for sequencing.

MycoMap BC coordinators Ann McCall and Elora Adamson at the voucher processing table.

A retrospective video of the foody part of the NAMA foray by chef Julie Schreiber. Video used by permission.

2026 SVIMS Spring Outing to Metchosin Wilderness Park

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SVIMS members made a spring foray to Metchosin Wilderness Park on February 7, 2026, as a followup to Paul Kroeger’s annual talk. A group of 25 fungal fans, a few of them on their first SVIMS foray, spent two hours chasing down examples of spring fungi.

Paul Kroeger, Andy MacKinnon, and Kem Luther were walk leaders. Foray coordinator Caroline Pap did the check-in, check-out.

The focus was on collecting specimens for the BC MycoMap Project. Some of the collected specimens can be viewed on iNaturalist. 

(Click on the pictures below to see the associated iNaturalist observations.)

Members survey the bounty on a boulder--Kem pretends he has a clue.
Tremellodendropsis tuberosa, Ashen Coral. Photo by Roanan De Meyer
Geoglossum, Earthtongue. Photo by Roanan De Meyer

MycoMatch new version

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A new version 2.4.2 of Mycomatch (MatchMaker) is available at https://www.mycomatch.com/
It works the same as the 2022 version. See also Resources menu.

About 275 new entries were added, along with over 1200 illustrations, covering 270 more species. There are now over 8000 photographs of about 2750 species, and about 4700 species described, all from the Pacific Northwest.

The drawings above are by Christine Roberts, and the photograph of Atheniella aurantiidisca by Michael Beug.

Monthly Meeting November 6, 2025

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We have three speakers this time!

Pacific Forestry Centre

506 Burnside Road West
Victoria BC  V8Z 4N9

Doors open at 6:30pm to socialize and identify mushrooms.

Presentation One: Grey Wolfgang Mueller

Title:

Dyeing the natural way with mushrooms.
 

This presentation will focus on  the process of dyeing  with mushrooms and will include examples of my work. 
 

Grey Wolfgang Mueller was born in Nelson, B.C. He spent his early years living a very rural life on a land co-op in the forest, where he enjoyed gardening, beekeeping, foraging, and raising chickens. When he was five years old, he moved to Victoria. Since then, he has continued his love of nature through rock hounding, gardening, beach clean-ups, camping, nature crafts, and, most recently, getting involved in SVIMS (South Vancouver Island Mycological Society).
 

His earliest memory of being interested in mushrooms was in grade two, when he created spore prints as art and shared his discoveries with his classmates.

 

Grey is now in grade nine at the Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry, a high school based on a student-led inquiry process.


This past summer at the Saanich Fair, he discovered that mushrooms can be used for dyeing while visiting the Victoria Weavers’ Guild tent. Since then, he has been experimenting with creating dyes from mushrooms.

He would like to share what he has learned about preparing dyes using three different local mushrooms. He will also talk about how different fabrics and mordants can affect color. Grey will bring samples of his work, including clothes he has made, and will share resources for others who want to explore the world of mushroom dyeing. 


Presentation Two: Dana Nygard

Title:
Knowledge through Nature Journaling and the Mycology of Southern Vancouver 

In this presentation, Dana Nygard invites you to slow down and rediscover the natural world through the lens of nature journaling and the fascinating mycology of Southern Vancouver Island. By observing not only the mushrooms themselves, but also the interconnected ecosystems they inhabit — from trees and lichen to mosses and forest microhabitats — Dana explores how art and curiosity can deepen our ecological awareness.

She will share insights from her ongoing practice of field sketching and journaling, emphasizing the value of noting key identifying features of fungi, foraging wild foods responsibly, and experimenting with spore printing, mushroom-based dyes and inks. This mindful approach to art and observation celebrates the creativity and wonder that emerge when we engage closely with nature.

Biography
Dana Nygard is a trained illustrator and passionate amateur naturalist living on Scia’new territory in the East Sooke/Metchosin area since 2020. After relocating from Ontario, Dana rediscovered her art practice during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic by venturing into the coastal rainforests of Vancouver Island. With a sketchbook and watercolours in hand, she began documenting the flora, fauna, and funga of the region, developing a particular fascination with local mycology.

Since restarting her art practice, Dana has become an active member of the West Shore arts and ecological communities. Her work has supported organizations such as the Metchosin Arts and Cultural Centre, Metchosin ArtPod, the Metchosin Foundation, and the South Vancouver Island Mycological Society (SVIMS).

Originally from Ontario, Dana grew up on a 50-acre woodland farm, where her love for nature and art first took root. She studied fine art and illustration at BealArt and later at Sheridan College’s Bachelor of Illustration Design program. Upon moving to the West Coast, Dana found renewed inspiration in the landscapes of Vancouver Island, where she continues to blend her artistic and ecological passions.

You can find Dana’s work in local cafés, science centres, and summer art markets throughout the Greater Victoria and Sooke areas.
Follow her online:
Instagram: @dana.nygarts
Portfolio: dananygard.carbonmade.com

 

Presentation Three: Teresa Klemm

Title: Mushroaming in Bhutan
 

Join me on a journey — to the Kingdom of Bhutan — to explore the wonderful world of mushroaming: the blend of mushroom foraging, ecology, and cultural discovery.
 

Teresa began photographing mushrooms over 30 years ago. Her very first subject was a ghost pipe (Monotropa uniflora)—a striking find, though she later discovered it wasn’t a mushroom at all, but a plant. That moment taught her to be humble and sparked a lifelong curiosity about the fungal world.

Since then, her interests have grown to include culinary mushrooms and species identification. Over the years, she has spent time learning from fellow enthusiasts at SVIMS, gaining new knowledge with every season. A dedicated member since 2003, Teresa continues to explore the fascinating, ever-surprising world of fungi with camera in hand and curiosity intact.

2025 Mushroom Show Cancelled

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It is with regret that we announce the cancellation of the 2025 South Vancouver Island Mycological Society (SVIMS) Annual Mushroom Show, which was scheduled to take place on November 2nd at the Royal BC Museum.

This decision comes as a result of the ongoing BCGEU strike, which has significantly affected the museum’s capacity to coordinate with us and provide the necessary staffing and support for the event.

SVIMS recognizes the broader impact of the strike, including on our members, volunteers, and mycologists, and we acknowledge the importance of the issues at stake. We sincerely hope for a fair and timely resolution.

Thank you to our volunteers and the Royal BC Museum staff for the efforts they have made to coordinate this event.

We appreciate your understanding and continued support, and we look forward to welcoming you to our show next year.

— The SVIMS Executive