AMS-Developed Educational Materials
The Alberta Mycological Society (AMS) developed an educational poster that you can download and print (PDF 251 kb) about our provincial mushroom, Leccinum boreale. We also developed a bookmark that highlights this mushroom (PDF 27 kb). This poster and bookmark was developed with partial funding through grants from the Alberta Conservation Association and Alberta Community Development (Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation). Click the images to download our poster and bookmark about Leccinum boreale.
In 2007, we published our first theme poster, EDIBLE MUSHROOMS OF ALBERTA (PDF 840 kb) that you can download and print. Since that time, we have produced Medicinal Mushrooms of Alberta and Poisonous Mushrooms of Alberta.
In collaboration with the North American Mycological Association (NAMA), Martin Osis, Dr. Michael Beug, Robert Rogers, and other mycologists, the AMS also created a a Poisonous Mushrooms of Alberta poster. The final approved version of poster is available for purchase from the AMS by emailing contactus@albertamushrooms.ca.
Fun Fungi-Activities
Articles
Here are a few interesting articles, but check out our Spore Print newsletter for more great information!
“EMS/NAMA Foray Report” by Markus Thormann, Martin Osis, and Bill Richards
“Medicinal Lichens” by Robert Rogers
“Boletes in Alberta” by Martin Osis
“Microworld” by Ming Chen
“Cortinarius bovarius (Agaricales), a New Species from Western North America” by Kare Liimatainen and Tuula Niskanen
“Alberta Mycological Society Statement about Mushroom Identification Apps” by the Alberta Mycological Society
Books
The AMS frequently uses the following books to identify fungi. Keep in mind, these books cover only a small portion of all fungi in their respective region. Hence, it is possible that you will find fungi that are not described in any of these books. That is the nature of mycology.
This is the book that we recommend most to our members, as many of the specimens shown are found in Alberta: Schalkwijk-Barendsen, H.M.E. 1991. Mushrooms of Western Canada. Lone Pine Publishing, Edmonton, AB, Canada. pp. 416. [Also published as: Mushrooms of Northwest North America.]. (available from AMS)
Arora, D. 1986. Mushrooms Demystified, 2nd Edition. Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A. pp. 959.
Barron, G. 1999. Mushrooms of Ontario and Eastern Canada. Lone Pine Publishing, Edmonton, AB, Canada. pp. 336. (available from AMS)
Bossenmaier, E.F. 1997. Mushrooms of the Boreal Forest. University Extension Press, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. pp. 105. (available from AMS)
Boulet, B. 2003. Les Champignons des Arbres de L’Est de L’Amérique du Nord. Les Publications du Québec, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada. pp. 728.
Dähncke, R.M. 1993. 1200 Pilze in Farbfotos. AT Verlag, Stuttgart, Germany. pp. 1179.
Phillips, R. 1991. Mushrooms of North America. Little, Brown & Company Ltd., Toronto, ON, Canada. pp. 319.
Rogers, R. 2011. The Fungal Pharmacy – The Complete Guide to Medicinal Mushrooms and Lichens of North America. North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California 94712. (available from AMS)
Mushroom Keys
Mushrooms are tools to help you identify mushrooms.
“Key to Alberta Edible Mushrooms” (Note: Key should be used with “Mushrooms of Western Canada”. The key is designed to help narrow the field of possibilities. Should never be used without more detailed descriptions provided in field guides. Always confirm your choice with a good field guide)
“Key to North American Morels Michael J. Schulz, MSc, PBiol, EP“
CAUTION!
Please use the utmost caution when considering whether or not to eat a fungus. If you do not absolutely know what you have picked, DO NOT EAT IT!!!! Always remember, eating fungi can be dangerous and the effects vary from person to person. If you have properly identified an edible mushroom, always eat a small portion first and keep some of the mushroom in your refrigerator in case your body reacts adversely to it. This eases the diagnosis in case of mushroom poisoning. Please report all mushroom poisonings to Contact Us. Happy shrooming to you all…
Additional Web Materials
- “State of the World’s Fungi“ – 2018
- “Mushroom Poisoning Syndromes“ – Published by the North American Mushroom Association, this resource provides some educational information on different symptoms that may present when mushrooms are consumed.
- For our furry friends, NAMA also published “this resource“ on mushroom poisoning in dogs and cats.
- “Alberta River Basins”– Precipitation Data for Alberta
- “Alberta Conservation” – Alberta Conservation Sites
- “Fungi of Saskatchewan” – an image database of fungi in Saskatchewan
- “Foray Newfoundland and Labrador”– Foray Newfoundland and Labrador is a not-for-profit organization conducting amateur mushroom forays in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Join them at the Viking Foray for the International Year of Biodiversity.
- “Mycological Society of Toronto” – homepage of the MST in Toronto, ON
- “Mycologue Publications” – excellent background information of virtually all aspects of mycology
- “Nature Alberta” – the voice of wild Alberta, keeping you up-to-date on provincial issues
- “Pacific Forestry Centre” – leads you to “Matchmaker: Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest” identification program designed by the PFC in Victoria, B.C.
- “Stewards of Alberta’s Protected Areas Association (SAPAA)” – represents steward volunteers from around the Province that are responsible for the monitoring of activities in their Protected Area and advising the Parks Department.
- “So, this is Alberta” – Alberta’s provincial emblems, including the soon-to-be provincial mushroom of Alberta, Leccinum boreale
- “University of Alberta Microfungus Collection & Herbarium” – homepage of UAMH at the Devonian Botanic Garden, AB
- “Colorado Mycological Society” – homepage of the CMS in Denver, CO
- “Evergreen mushroom info” – Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA
- “Fungi Images on the Web” – an excellent image database
- “Puget Sound Mycological Society” – homepage of the PSMS in Seattle, WA
- “Oregon Mycological Society” – homepage of the OMS in Milwaukie, OR
- “Mycological Society Of America” – a scientific society dedicated to advancing the science of mycology
- “Fungi Magazine” – Many interesting articles and links for both the professional and amateur mycrophiles.
- “Snohomish County Mycological Society” – homepage of the SCMS in Snohomish County, Washington
- “North American Mycological Association” – homepage of NAMA in Oakland, CA; links to many mycological associations and societies in North America
- “European Mycological Association” – homepage of the EMA, great source of mycological information, links, directories, checklists, etc.
- “Myco Aficionados of Mexico” – homepage of the only mushroom club in Mexico