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.

Urban Summer Mushroom Foraging in Alberta No. 1

by Martin Osis

Disclaimer: For your safety, it is imperative that you make sure you have positively identified any mushroom that you plan to consume.

Urban Summer Mushroom Foraging in Alberta No. 2

by Martin Osis

Disclaimer: For your safety, it is imperative that you make sure you have positively identified any mushroom that you plan to consume.

Fun Fungi-Activities

Test your knowledge of fungi facts with our crossword!

Mixed Mushroom Colouring Pages

Who says you can’t have mushrooms all year round! Learn how to fold origami mushrooms in this video made by our AMS Director, Mel Hohn.

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

Additional Web Materials



  1. Canadian mycological clubs are listed by name and by country on the club  page of the “North American Mycological Association”
  2. “Alberta River Basins”– Precipitation Data for Alberta
  3. “Alberta Discover Guide” – Alberta Conservation Site
  4. “Mycologue Publications” – excellent background information of virtually all aspects of mycology
  5. “Nature Alberta” – the voice of wild Alberta, keeping you up-to-date on provincial issues
  6. “Pacific Forestry Centre” – leads you to “Matchmaker: Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest” identification program designed by the PFC in Victoria, B.C. society
  7. “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.
  8. “University of Alberta Microfungus Collection & Herbarium” – homepage of UAMH at the Devonian Botanic Garden, AB
  9. Mycoboutique – Mycology store in Montreal Quebec that provides workshops and forays