Alberta Mycological Society

GAMF (Great Alberta Mushroom Foray) in Waterton National Park!
2023-09-01 18:00 - 2023-09-04 13:00 (America/Edmonton) | Waterton Community Center, 201 Cameron Falls Drive PO Box 144, Waterton,, Alberta, T0K2Mo
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Keith Seifert
Paul Kroeger
Andy MacKinnon
Martin Osis
The 2023 Great Alberta Mushroom Foray (GAMF) is on full throttle!
The Alberta Mycological Society has planned an amazing weekend of forays, lectures, presentations, and mushrooming activities with passionate fungi enthusiasts, distinguished mycologists, local experts, biologists, and wise outdoor specialists on September 1, 2, 3, and 4, 2023, at the Waterton Parks Community Center in Waterton, Alberta.
This wonderful event brings newcomers to mushrooms and veteran foragers together to share wild (and sometimes hilarious) adventures seeking the elusive mushrooms and learn valuable tips and tricks for satisfying our unsatiable quest for fungi.
Listen and discuss all things fungi with mycologists, such as:

Keith Seifert – Author of The Hidden Kingdom of Fungi: Exploring the Microscopic World in Our Forests, Homes, and Bodies.
Larry Evans – Mycologist and founder of the Western Montana Mycological Association.
Paul Kroeger – Founding member of the Vancouver Mycological Society and leading expert in field identification of mushrooms of western Canada.
Andy MacKinnon – Co-author of Mushrooms of British Columbia and many more mushroom and plant publications.
Martin Osis – Former president of the AMS and presenter of the Mushroom Identification course.

We use a citizen science approach to collect, sort, identify and record exciting fungal finds. At GAMF, you can join our morning and afternoon forays to start your own adventures!
Check out our GAMF Website for more detailed information.

Dates: Friday, September 1 (6:00 p.m.) – Monday, September 4 (1:00 p.m.)
Location: Waterton Park Community Center, 201 Cameron Falls Drive PO Box 144, Waterton, AB T0K2M0
Cost: $260*/member
The cost includes meals (3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners), keynote speaker presentations, Mushroom Identification workshop, guided forays, and identification assistance by mycologists.
Children 5 and under are free. Students 6 and older are charged $130/person. A current student ID must be provided at the registration desk upon arrival.
Accommodations are not included; see below for suggestions.
*Registration costs are subsidized by the Alberta Conservation Association through the Conservation, Community, and Education Grant (2022-2023).
Event Schedule (tentative):
Friday, September 1, 2023

Potential early bird forays (stay tuned).
Registration opens at 6:00 p.m.
A Welcome to Waterton Lakes National Parks from Robert Sissons, Alberta Parks Ecologist
Evening social and Orientation information – Please bring snacks to share.

Saturday, September 2, 2023

(Morning) Mushroom Identification Course by Martin Osis
Forays to special permitted nearby sites and identification assisted by mycologists
Identification of collected specimens
(Afternoon) Keynote presentation from Larry Evans – Mushrooms, Truffles, and Conks
Mushroom tasting event (pending sufficient edible mushrooms gathered)
(Evening) Keynote presentation from Dr. Keith Seifert – More than dots on maps: Citizen scientists and biological collections in a world of DNA technology

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Forays to special permitted nearby sites and identification assisted by mycologists
Identification of collected specimens
(Evening) Keynote presentations from Paul Kroeger – There’s Fungus Among Us: Common urban “weed” mushrooms and immigrant fungi

Monday, September 4, 2023

(Morning) Keynote presentation from Andy MacKinnon – Mycoheterotrophs
Open House of identified fungi
Breakfast

Reserve your spot by registering below.
Registration Information:
Registrations are accepted until end of August 29, 2023. The checkout process when purchasing tickets may take a bit of time. We’re sorry for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience!
More details will be emailed to you closer to the event date.
Please read and familiarize yourself with the What to Bring to Forays and AMS Foray guidelines.
Health Notice: The health and well-being of all our members are important to the AMS. We encourage all our members to follow Alberta AHS guidelines with respect to COVID. We want everyone attending GAMF to feel safe and comfortable, so we kindly ask all participants to attend only if they are not sick. We will provide refunds for cancellations made prior to August 31, 2023, to any members who test positive for COVID. During the event, hand sanitizer, masks, and free test kits will be made available.
Accommodations
Although accommodations are not included in your registration, please consider the options below. We highly recommend you book your accommodations as soon as possible as spaces are filling up.

Crooked Creek Campground

Various campsites have been set aside for our members.
Located just outside Waterton Lakes National Park
Visit the Website for campsite rules and amenities: Crooked Creek Campground
Call Murray at +1 403-635-8163 to register and reserve your site.

Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort

Standard rooms have been set aside for our members.
Address: 101 Clematis Avenue, PO Box 4, Waterton Park, Alberta T0K 2Mo
When you register, please use this code to receive your 15% discount: MYCOSOC

Tel: +1 888-985-6343 or +1 403-859-2150
Email: reservations@watertonlakeslodge.com

Visit the Website for hotel rules and amenities: Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort

Other Campgrounds

Waterton Lakes National Park Campgrounds (Parks Canada)

Happy Foraging!
