Walks
We try to schedule regular walks during summer and fall, with an occasional winter foray, since the fungi are always there. These walks are mostly in eastern Massachusetts, in a variety of sites: state forests, parks, land trusts, private holdings, and more. For each of these events, we must get a permit and – in many cases – promise to pick only specimens for study. We trust our members to respect each site’s rules, since our good behavior is why we’re invited back, year after year. Occasionally, we have out of state walks (and even weekends), and a few walks have been organized with other clubs.
Each walk has a leader and we try to get several experienced members to attend and to accompany groups as they walk around . Walks are organized with a meeting time and place announced in advance, so that the leader can form reasonably sized groups at the starting point and try to place a knowledgeable person with each group. At this time, the leader will also announce the time and place of the I.D. Table which occurs at the end of the walk. Everyone puts their specimens on the I.D. Table and the leader and other experienced members identify the specimens and discuss them.
David Babik (walks@bostonmyco.org) has been our lead Walk Volunteer for the last few years, and we owe him a huge vote of thanks; he’s found the sites, filled out the forms and gotten the permits. And, he’s often been the leader. Dave needs your help! All members are invited to suggest new sites and to organize those walks. You can organize a walk and be a walk leader even if you’re not an experienced collector or identifier; these are separate tasks. If you know of an appropriate site, Dave will tell you how to organize the walk, and help you with organization, experts, etc.
Walk Rules
* Leashed, well behaved dogs are okay. So are well behaved children, leashed or unleashed.
* BMC walks are MEMBERS ONLY. Please do not put announcements on social media! If your friends are jealous, tell them to join the club.
* Once you get a walk announcement, you don’t have to do anything but show up. You do not have to make a reservation or contact the leader.
* Walks generally last 2-3 hours. We meet at the start time and start point, when the leader will tell you whatever you need to know for that site, including the meeting time back at the ID table. People will put their specimens on the table, and an expert will lead you through them at the end. If you’re a beginner, try to walk with a more experienced mushroomer; that’s when you’ll really learn.
* Be respectful of the site! Obey the rules of the walk site and remember that we’re looking for interesting specimens; not pot-hunting. We try to leave the site in as good condition as we found it (minus some fungi), which is why all these parks and conservation areas invite us back again and again.
* Bring: bug spray, water, a snack/lunch, a basket or other container, a mushroom knife and paper or wax paper bags (egg cartons are good for small specimens). Dress appropriately for the weather and woods, and remember that TICKS are a constant menace; permethrin-treated clothing is worth the price (especially socks and pants; the latter tucked into the former).
* The BMC doesn’t provide transportation. For those of you without a car and those of you with empty seats in your car, please check the carpool list in the newsletter for that walk. It’s really easy to see who’s offering a ride and who’s looking for one on the waitlist. Parking is limited at a lot of the walk locations, so carpooling is encouraged even if you have a car. Besides, it’s fun to have company on the drive to the walk.
F.A.Q.s
Q: Do I need to register for a walk?
A: No, just show up.
Q: What happens if it rains?
A: We still walk! Postponing walks is not an option in many cases, since our permits are for a specific day, so if the weather is not dangerous and the rain is not too heavy, we wear appropriate gear and go. Hail, heavy winds, and lightning are dangerous. Check the website or contact the walk leader for cancellations.
Q: Can I tweet, Facebook, etc. about the Walk?
A: Only after it’s over. Please don’t announce walks to non-members. We work on the honor system, assuming all walk participants are members, who have signed the legal waiver. And our members are numerous enough to stretch the limits of many walk sites. The walk leader is not there to be a policeman (or policewoman).