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