The Alberta Mycological Society is excited to host its 2026 Great Alberta Mushroom Foray (GAMF) in the Town of Sundre, Alberta, from September 4 to September 7. This flagship event brings together fungi enthusiasts for a long weekend of exploration, education, and citizen science amid the diverse ecosystems of central Alberta’s foothills and forests.

After successful forays in northern locations like Cold Lake and Fox Creek, the GAMF moves south in 2026 to Sundre, nestled in Mountain View County. Participants will explore the rich macrofungi of the surrounding landscapes, extending west toward the stunning Ya Ha Tinda Ranch—Canada’s only federally operated horse ranch—on the edge of Banff National Park. This transition zone between prairie, foothill, and montane environments offers a unique variety of habitats for foraging, identifying, and learning about Alberta’s fungal biodiversity.

Attendees will join guided forays, workshops, and presentations, deepening their understanding of fungi’s vital roles in ecosystems while contributing to the AMS’s mission of studying and promoting fungal diversity. The event fosters community among mycophiles and supports ongoing efforts to document and appreciate Alberta’s remarkable mycoflora in this scenic and ecologically varied region.

Speakers/Mycologists

(Additional featured speakers and presentations will be updated as they are finalized)

Roland Treu

Roland Treu is an Associate Professor of Biology at Athabasca University. He is a mycologist and has contributed significantly to the study of mycorrhizae and ectomycorrhizal fungi. His research has been focused on the functional responses of ectomycorrhizal fungal communities to long-term fertilization of lodgepole pine stands, decline of ectomycorrhizal fungi following a mountain pine beetle epidemic, and mycoremediation of hydrocarbons with basidiomycetes.

Paul Kroeger

Paul is a long-time friend of the AMS and has identified 1000s of mushrooms. He is the premier field taxonomist in Western Canada. He has worked at the UBC herbarium for decades, cataloguing and preserving mushrooms. He works with BC Poison Control as their main identifier, and mushrooms are named in his honour.

Michael Schulz

Mike is a long time member and contributor to the AMS. He is an ecologist who is currently the Research Chair at Portage College. He has done extensive work on Fungal Species at Risk across the Prairie provinces. We usually see him hunkered over his microscope at Great Alberta Mushroom Forays.

Martin Osis

Martin is one of the AMS’s founding members. He is regularly called upon to give mushroom-related lectures and has held multiple positions on the AMS board. He was also the Canadian Trustee and Vice President of the North American Mycological Association.

Where To Stay?

Accommodations are not included in your ticket price. Visit the Town of Sundre website for more information on local hotels and campgrounds.

Volunteer Options