What we’re about
The IMA is comprised of mycologists and laypeople from all walks of life who share a common interest in the study of mushrooms. Individual members often have specific areas of interest and expertise, including mushroom foraging, identification, cultivation, mycoremediation, mycorrhizas, medical mycology, lichens, and edible, poisonous, and medicinal fungi.
If you are new to mushrooming, joining a mushroom club will give you the opportunity to learn about the fungal diversity found during the seasons in Chicagoland and how to identify species properly and safely. Whether you’re an experienced mycophile or are new to the Kingdom of Fungi, we welcome your knowledge and companionship.
Monthly Meetings and Lecture Series are held from March to December at 7:30 PM on the first Monday of each month and the first Tuesday in September. Check our website for the event dates, locations, and future programs: http://www.illinoismyco.org/events/
For non-IMA-members, there is a $5 suggested donation to attend our lecture series events. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please join us! Membership in the IMA is only $20 per year and includes participation in our monthly members-only forays. While our lecture series is open to the public, forays into the woods are limited to members only. This is because the IMA is a scientific and educational nonprofit that holds a scientific collection permit to pick wild mushrooms for research and education. Club members also receive a great digital monthly newsletter with articles, recipes, research, art and information on additional events. You can become an IMA member at any IMA event, or by clicking here http://www.illinoismyco.org/join-us/
Are you interested in learning about mushrooms? Our group offers a great way to share time outdoors with friends and family, while learning about our local environment and mushroom species. Our forays are led by mycologists from organizations like the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Field Museum. Imagine how wonderful it is to have a passionate expert with you in the woods who can identify all of the mushrooms found and provide an integrated ecological context for each.
The Illinois Mycological Association is dedicated to promoting mycology among members and the public. The IMA is a mushroom club that gets together several times a month to go on forays to look for mushrooms. Also, once a month, we have a sit-down evening meeting for a lecture, some socializing, and discussion of fungi. There are also special events from time to time, such as our annual dinner, special guest speakers, and so on.
