Madera Canyon Mushroom Identification foray level 2 hike

PLEASE READ ENTIRE DESCRIPTION so that you can prepare for the foray. This is a Mushroom identification workshop for those those individuals that are serious about studying mushrooms. The forays will he held at Mt. Lemmon or Madera Canyon. Forays can vary on dates and season. We are typically up there until about sunset. I will make this a fun and exciting learning experience. You will learn to identify medicinal and edible mushrooms, and poisonous mushrooms. Since I am working alone I can only do 20 people per trip maximum but I will provide a wealth of knowledge and attention to all parties. The event costs $35 per person; this is to pay for insurance, gas and a permit from forest services, so that I can continue doing this for everyone.

We will meet at posada java cafe in green valley and carpool/caravan up the mountain. Please check in with me to sign in on clipboard. Please pay ahead of time on my Paypal hrcastro1@cox.net or Venmo or Zelle using my phone number is 520-981-3056. Madera Canyon and Mt Lemmon are about a 50 min to an hour drive from Tucson, so make sure that if you are not car pooling that you have enough gas for this trip. We will study every mushrooms we find and our other priority is to clean up our forests and educate people on respecting nature and harvesting laws and protocol (bring a trash bag). If you RSVP and then cancel last minute, please let me know through a text. I want everybody to take my phone number down and communicate with me on the day of the trip so we are not delayed due to lack of communication.

On these forays we cover a lot of rugged terrain in high altitude, this may make walking and breathing difficult so consult your doctor if you have any conditions that may be affected by these factors. We often walk through steep areas and may encounter poison oak/wild life. Please be mindful of where you step as there are wasps' nests up on the mountain. If you are allergic to wasps or bees please do bring your epi-pen. My partners and I will do our best to keep everyone in a relatively close proximity and answer questions, however everyone must be careful and responsible for their own safety when wondering off. With this said no one has ever been hurt in any of my forays so let's keep that way and let's have some fun!

Please respect mother nature and whenever you harvest Mushrooms only take as much as you need and take 1/3 from a batch leave 2/3 do not over harvest! Be considerate of the forest and all of the inhabitants that also live off Mushrooms. If you’re going to harvest more than what you need for personal use (limit one three gallon bucket per year), please go down to Forest Services and get a permit. Without a permit mushrooms may only be harvested for personal use. Violators will be reported and kicked from the group. Due to a collaboration and encouragement from my behalf Forest Service has now published a set of guidelines for foraging Mushrooms please adhere to the guidelines. PLEASE BE SURE TO RSVP AHEAD OF TIME OTHERWISE EVENTS WILL BE CANCELLED IF THERE AREN'T AT LEAST 5 PEOPLE REGISTERED AT LEAST 2 DAYS PRIOR. PLEASE COMMUNICATE FREQUENTLY WITH ME TO STAY UP TO DATE. TEXT OR CALL I'M TERRIBLE WITH EMAILS. ALSO CHECKOUT MY INSTA @desert_alchemist or TikTok @desertalchemist for updates on events and to watch videos and start learning ahead of time. I am also on YouTube if you would like to support I would appreciate a subscribe thank you !

Materials recommended for the foray are:

-Large baskets for collecting mushrooms

-Rain coat and jacket - even when it is very hot in town it can get quite chilly on the mountain especially if it rains

-Pocket knife or hunting knife

-Paintbrush for cleaning mushrooms

-Hiking boots preferred, but be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes

-Pants/long socks and long sleeves to protect yourself from being scratched or bitten by bugs

-Plenty of water

-Bug spray

-A whistle in case someone gets lost

-Hat

-A mushroom Identification book called “All That the Rain Promises and More” by David Arora

"Ask permission before taking. Abide by the answer. Never take the first. Never take the last. Take only what you need. Take only that which is given. Never take more than half. Leave some for others. Harvest in a way that minimizes harm. Use it respectfully. Never waste what you have taken. Share. Give thanks for what you have been given. Give a gift, in reciprocity for what you have taken. Sustain the ones who sustain you and the earth will last forever." -Braiding Sweetgrass