Alberta Mycological Society

Great Alberta Mushroom Foray 2026
2026-09-04 18:00 - 2026-09-07 12:00 (America/Edmonton)
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.
Click here to renew your membership!This is a Members-Only Event
Speakers/Mycologists
David Arora
David Arora is a renowned American mycologist, naturalist, and author celebrated for making mushroom identification accessible and fun for enthusiasts worldwide. Born in 1952, he developed his passion for fungi growing up in California and later authored the classic field guides Mushrooms Demystified and the beloved All That the Rain Promises and More…. A dynamic speaker and educator with decades of experience, he is a highlight at GAMF 2026 in Alberta

Tyson Ehlers
Tyson Ehlers is a Slocan Valley-based ecologist with a lifelong fascination for the natural world. A mycologist and expert in wild mushroom identification, he has taught numerous foraging workshops and co-authored the guidebook Mushrooms to Look for in the Kootenays.
He has contributed to major biodiversity inventories through the Kootenay Connect initiative and discovered the slime mould Spiromyxa slocanensis, new to science. Tyson holds a degree in Forest Management from UBC.

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 Alberta Mycological Society’s founding members. He is regularly called upon to give mushroom-related lectures via his business “Martin On Mushrooms”. 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. We recommend booking your accommodations soon, as Sundre is a booming place. Most motels and hotels are already completely booked.

King’s Motel:
We’ve managed to secure 22 rooms at this motel. Anyone wishing to stay needs to call the motel and mention that they are with the Alberta Mycological Society.
Phone: (403) 638-2764
Here are the room options and prices:

Queen Room – 5 available – $85.50 / night
Queen w/ Kitchen – 2 available – $94.50 / night
Two Double Room – 12 available – $94.50 / night
Two Double Room w/ Kitchen – $103.50 / night

(Room rates are subject to an additional 5% GST and 6% Tourism Levy)

Cabins
We’re working on securing approximately 20 rustic cabins. Prices and options will appear here when finalized.

Visit the Town of Sundre website for more information on local hotels and campgrounds.

Refund Policy

Refunds are available for ticket cancellations requested on or before August 15, 2026. A $25 administration fee will be deducted from all approved refunds.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations after August 15, 2026.
Refund requests must be submitted by email to contactus@albertamushrooms.ca.
Refunds will be processed within 10 business days to the original payment method.

Exceptions:
We will consider full refunds or transfers in cases of event cancellation, postponement, or documented emergencies (e.g., serious illness or bereavement). Please contact us directly.

Volunteer Options

At GAMF, every attendee is required to volunteer — it’s how we keep the event affordable, community-driven, and truly special for everyone!
By volunteering (even just a few hours), you’re not only helping make GAMF run smoothly — you’re also part of the core spirit that makes this event so unique. No exceptions: everyone who attends contributes.
Choose your volunteer role(s) today (super easy steps):

Use Google Form below
No Google sign-in needed — just enter your email, name, and the duties you’re interested in.
Click SUBMIT

After submitting, scroll down this page to the Ticket Purchase section to secure your GAMF ticket. If you are registering multiple people, you can refresh this page again to submit the form for them.

Note: Volunteering does not grant you free access to GAMF. All attendees must pay for a ticket. Thank you for your understanding.

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Weald Camping Weekend 2026
2026-09-11 17:00 - 2026-09-13 14:00
Weald Weekend Foray
September 11 – 13, 2026
Weald Provincial Recreation Area
Join us for a relaxed and fun weekend of mushroom foraging on the beautiful banks of the Embarras River, just west of Edson!
Spots are limited — register early to secure your site.

Event Details

Dates: Friday, September 11 – Sunday, September 13, 2026
Cost: $40 per unit (tent, trailer, RV, etc.) for the entire weekend
Arrival: No earlier than 4:00 PM Friday
Departure: No later than 2:00 PM Sunday

Exact location details and gate code will be sent to all paid registrants.

Schedule

Saturday: Guided foray departs at 10:00 AM, back for lunch, then out again around 1:00–2:00 PM.
Sunday: Open day — forage on your own or relax at camp.

Cooking and tasting the mushrooms you find is highly encouraged!

Generator Policy
Generators are permitted only between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM.

Facilities & Notes

Closed-in shelter and several picnic tables
Outdoor toilets on site
No power or water hookups
Hand-pump water available (not certified potable — bring your own drinking water)
Cell service is unreliable in the valley
Firewood is provided

Evenings
Great socializing, mycological conversations, taste-testing, storytelling, singing, and good times around the fire (libations often involved).

What to Expect
Hopefully, the weather cooperates, and we’ll find tasty edibles such as Hedgehogs, Yellowfoot Chanterelles, Gypsy Mushrooms, Red Tops, Russulas, Lobster Mushrooms, and more. Even if the mushrooms are quiet, the company will be excellent!

What to Bring

Foraging basket & knife
Field guide
Rain gear & boots
Headlamp
Musical instrument (if you play!)
Your own food and cooking equipment.

We look forward to another fantastic weekend with fellow fungophiles in the woods! 🍄
