The 2014 Patrice Benson Memorial NAMA Foray | Eatonville, Washington | October 9-12, 2014

Mycology lectures,field trips, and mushroom tasting in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, an hour south of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Washington.

Patrice Benson wanted nothing more than for everyone to enjoy themselves. And in her memory, the Puget Sound Mycological Society invites NAMA members to Washington in 2014 to hunt in magnificent old growth forests, to learn from an amazing line up of speakers and workshops, and above all else -- to enjoy yourselves.

In October, the North American Mycological Association annual foray will convene at Camp Arnold in Eatonville, Washington, which lies close to great mushrooming habitat in national forest lands of the Cascades Mountains and Mt. Rainier National Park.

Dr. Steve Trudell will serve as the foray mycologist, and he, along with PSMS past vice president Milton Tam, have arranged an amazing lineup of presenters for 2014. Although the list is not quite finalized, this stellar cast of faculty has already committed: Alissa Allen, Dr. Denis Benjamin, Dr. Michael Beug, Dr. Tom Bruns, Dr. Cathy Cripps, Dr. Jim Ginns, Dr. Bryce Kendrick, Paul Kroeger, Sava Krstic, Dr. Pat Leacock, Dr. Brandon Matheny, Danny Miller, Drew Parker, Dr. Fred Rhoades, Dr. Christine Roberts, Christian Schwarz, Noah Siegel, Dr. Suzanne Simard, Dr. Ann Simpson, Dr. Rob Simpson, Paul Stamets, Dr. Jim Trappe, Dr. Else Vellinga, Sasha Viazmensky, Dr. Rytas Vilgalys, and Dr. Tom Volk.

In addition, a number of current graduate students will be delivering presentations in a student research forum. These include Joshua Birkebak, Vince Hustad, Brian Looney, Marisol Sanchez-Garcia, and Valerie Wong.

Paul Stamets to be keynote speaker

Fungal visionary Paul Stamets will be the keynote speaker at the foray, and PSMS scientific advisor Steve Trudel will be the foray mycologist.

For over 30 years, Paul Stamets has been a dedicated mycologist in the Pacific Northwest and is internationally recognized for his contributions in mycology and the environment. He has been called a visionary for his beliefs that a deeper knowledge of fungi can help solve many of the world's pollution problems, which is the topic of his popular 2008 TED Talk that has been seen by millions. Paul coined the term "mycoremediation" to describe the application of fungi to clean up environmental pollution and other problems.

Paul founded Fungi Perfecti, a company specializing in cultivation and sale of edible, and medicinal fungi, and has filed 22 patents for mushroom-related technologies. He has discovered new species of mushrooms and pioneered techniques for edible and medicinal mushroom cultivation. His two books, Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms and The Mushroom Cultivator have been recognized as definitive texts of mushroom cultivation.

His additional works include Psilocybe Mushrooms and Their Allies, Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World, MycoMedicinals®: an Informational Treatise on Mushrooms, and many articles and scholarly papers. Paul's latest book is Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World.

Paul received the 1998 "Bioneers Award" from The Collective Heritage Institute, and the 1999 "Founder of a New Northwest Award" from the Pacific Rim Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils. In 2008, Paul received the National Geographic Adventure Magazine's Green-Novator and the Argosy Foundation's E-chievement Awards. He was also named one of Utne Reader's "50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World" in their November-December 2008 issue. In 2010, Paul received the President's Award from the Northwest Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration.

Dr. Steve Trudell to be foray mycologist

Dr. Steve Trudell is an affiliate professor in the College of Forest Resources and a lecturer in the Biology Department at the University of Washington, and is also the scientific advisor for PSMS. He earned his Ph.D. from the UW's College of Forestry Sciences where his dissertation research explored the use of stable isotope signatures to study the roles of ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi in nitrogen and carbon cycling in old-growth forests of the Olympic Peninsula. Steve has served as vice president of NAMA and was president of the Pacific Northwest Key Council. He often writes for mycological publications, serves as a foray mycologist, and is invited as a lecturer for mycological societies and other nature groups.

Steve has photographed and identified mushrooms for over 30 years, and has used that experience to co-author "Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest," and his newest book, "Tricholomas of North America: A Mushroom Field Guide". He studies the roles of fungi in forest nutrient cycling, and his interests include the reasons behind and controls on fungal biodiversity. Ultimately he would like to know why there are so many different mushrooms, what they are all doing, and how they fit in the ecosystem.

Pre-foray workshops

Two all-day workshops will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 8 before the foray begins. Alissa Allen will lead a mushroom pigments dye workshop, and since 2013 was an amazing year for C. smithii in Washington, she will have many on hand to dye with. And award-winning botanical illustrator Sasha Viazmensky will instruct a watercolor workshop on painting mushrooms. Both will have limited spaces available.

Mushroom and Lichen Dyes for Wool and Silk
with Alissa Allen of Mycopigments and featuring special guest Liann Finnerty

Over 25 wool and silk samples will be dyed in this workshop using fungi and lichens found from all corners of North America. Participants will learn which mushrooms and lichens can be used for their pigments and the best extraction methods for their optimal color range. Textile designer Liann Finnerty will show how to transform mushroom-dyed silk scarves into works of art. Everyone will practice the design techniques to create their own beautiful, commemorative silk scarves. Cost is $70 with registration limited to 20 participants.

Mushroom Watercolor Painting
with Alexander (Sasha) Viazmensky

Learn the secrets of mushroom portraiture from master watercolor artist Sasha Viazmensky. The class requires high quality paints, brushes and paper, which can be preordered for an additional $60. This kit includes Russian watercolor paints preferred by the instructor. Cost is $80 for the workshop, and registration is limited to 12 participants.

Russian watercolor kit

List of materials for the watercolor workshop:

• Paper:
  Watercolor paper 140 lb. with smooth surface, cold pressed or hot pressed.
  Please bring additional small pieces of the same paper you use, for Alexander's demonstrations.
• Brushes:
  At least four round brushes with sharp point, sable or synthetic, #1 to #10
  Filbert brush #4
  Old dull brushes, if available (help to create textures).
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Glossy poster-board for using as a palette (available in drugstores, Target and other stores). The sizes of poster-board pieces used for pallets should be around 12" x 8" (30 x 20 cm).
• Paints:
  A set of 18 - 24 high quality transparent watercolor paints; Alexander recommends plates, not tubes. (Alexander prefers "Yarka - St. Petersburg" brand, basic set, not supplementary, available in the USA); Opaque white paint (gouache or watercolor) any brand.

Foray Pricing

Costs for a 3-day foray package that includes lodging, registration, and 8 meals will range from $260 to $300 depending on the level of lodging chosen. Full hookup RV spots are available onsite at Camp Arnold, along with registration and the 8-meal plan, for $250/person. For those staying offsite, registration and the meal plan would be $230/person.

Lodging

The Salvation Army Camp Arnold
33712 Webster Rd. E
Eatonville, WA 98328

Camp Arnold is nestled at the base of the foothills of Mount Rainier on 600 acres of beautiful forested land, conveniently located an hour drive from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Please be aware that Camp Arnold is an alcohol and drug-free facility, and no smoking except in a designated area. No pets or firearms are allowed.

Lodging includes bedding and towels.

Standard (Guest Lodging)	Home-style lodging, with double or twin beds with shared bathrooms and sitting areas	$180 for foray; $280 for foray + trustee meeting or workshop FULL. Waitlist only.
Firgrove Cabins	Dormitory style, 7 lower bunks per floor, with shower & restroom on the same floor	$160 for foray; $250 for foray + trustee meeting or workshop FULL. Waitlist only.
A-frame Cabins	Dormitory style, 9 lower bunks per cabin, with separate shower and restroom facilities for every 3 cabins	$140 for foray; $220 for foray + trustee meeting or workshop
RV Camp	Hookups for water and power (some with sewer hookup also)	$130 for foray; $210 for foray + trustee meeting or workshop
Meal plan only (No lodging)	Attendees must register for a meal plan if not staying at Camp Arnold	$110 for foray; $185 for foray + trustee meeting or workshop

Off-site lodging is available at:
Mill Village Motel
(800) 832-3248
Please tell them you are with the NAMA foray to make a personal reservation.

Registration fee

The registration fee for the foray (October 9-12, 2014) is $120, and is non-refundable. There will be no refunds on any other fees after August 15, 2014. Any registrations after August 15, 2014, will be charged a $50 late fee.

Pacita Roberts, registrar
206-498-0922
namaregistrar@psms.org

Pre-foray workshops

Mushroom and Lichen Dyes for Wool and Silk: $70
Mushroom Watercolor Painting: $80
Watercolor kit preferred by instructor: $60

Foray T-shirt

Pre-order a black, long-sleeve T-shirt with the foray logo when you register. Only a limited few will be available for purchase at the foray. $15 each, sizes small to XXXL.

If you have any questions, please contact PSMS at nama2014@psms.org

Pacita Roberts and Teddy Basladynski
Puget Sound Mycological Society members and organizers of the 2014 NAMA Foray