How to identify mushrooms and forage safely with Jonathan Kranz

Theyre all over the web, all over the news, and if youre lucky (and in the right season) , all over your local woodlands. Theyre mushrooms, the mysterious eruptions from an otherwise hidden world of life and death. When they emerge, they can delight us with beautiful colors, strange shapes, and curious aromas. Enrich your curiosity by going more deeply into the mystery. Join me, Jonathan Kranz, on guided mushroom walks or entertaining mushroom talks in which we explore the joys and hazards of the fungus among us, discovering: Which mushrooms are safe to eat and how to find, collect, and prepare them How to identify and avoid the most dangerous toxic mushrooms in our region The secrets to using sight, scent, and context to identify your mushroom finds The strange ways mushrooms live and the vital, hidden roles they play in our habitats Unexpected surprises: wellalwaysfind and discuss delightful natural wonders that are impossible to predict in advance Jonathan Kranz is a former park ranger and professional natural interpreter with a focus on mushrooms. He achieved his MA Audubon Field Naturalist Certification in 2024, serves as vice president of the Boston Mycological Club, a board member of the Pioneer Valley Mycological Association, and as chair of the Ayer Planning Board.