The Humboldt Bay Mycological Society

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The Humboldt Bay Mycological Society

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📍 Wiyot Land
POC/LGBTQ+ Safe
An organization of community members united by an interest in the funga of the Pacific Northwest of California. Become a member!

The HBMS meetings are free and open to the public. They are held from September to January on the third Wednesday of the month. Meetings are also held via Zoom. Each meeting begins with a mushroom “show and tell” at 7:00 pm and an educational program beginning at 7:30. Benefits of membership are:

Receive the monthly newsletter from September through January
Participate in members-only field trips. Free attendance to workshops including the mushroom identification workshop/field trip, and the annual Mushroom Fair in November. Supporting the HBMS – our existence depends on our membership. What is the cost? Memberships run from January 1st to December 31st and cost $15 for individuals, $20 for families, and $10 for students and seniors. Sign up to become a member here:
https://forms.gle/5dip7tUAWWseGMbX8

Mushroom identification:

Mushroom identification workshops are open to HBMS members who want to learn just a few edibles, those who would like to be able to identify fungi to species, and those who are somewhere in between. The classes are taught by knowledgeable members and include a PowerPoint presentation of the features used to identify mushrooms and then hands-on work with common fungi and keys using those features. More advanced classes on using keys are also offered if there are enough interested members. Consult the Calendar (www.hbmycologicalsociety.org/events) for details on this season’s classes. To learn more and see our recommended books, visit www.hbmycologicalsociety.org/learn-more

11/01/2026

Bring the whole family to the 48th Annual Mushroom Fair for our Kids’ Scavenger Hunt! 🧒🍄

We’ll have fun challenges for kids of all ages, with free prizes while supplies last! Just stop by the info table when you arrive to get started.

There’s so much more to explore, from hundreds of fresh local mushrooms on display to vendors, talks, workshops, food trucks, and our limited-edition 2026 fair t-shirts, also available in kids’ sizes! 👕🍄

🎟️ Kids scavenger hunt is free with fair admission!
💚 Youth ages 7-17 get discounted $5 admission, children 6 and under are FREE, and no one is turned away for lack of funds. We want everyone to have the chance to come out, explore, and enjoy a fun day together!

📅 Sunday, November 22, 2026
⏰ 11 AM-4 PM
📍 Arcata Community Center

We can’t wait to see you there! 🍄✨

10/29/2026

🍄Join us for the 48th Annual HBMS Mushroom Fair!

📅 Sunday, November 22 • 11-4 PM
📍 Arcata Community Center

Celebrate fungi and community at our biggest event of the year! Proceeds help support HBMS’s non-profit programs including scholarships, speaker honoraria, and educational events that promote community education.

Your ticket includes:
🍄 Mushroom Displays: Hundreds of fresh, local species arranged by taxonomy.
🎁 Raffle & Food Drive: Bring nonperishable food for donation to Food for People and earn up to 10 raffle tickets. Extra tickets sold help support scholarships and educational programs.
🛍️ Vendors & Food Trucks: Shop mushroom growing kits, books, artwork, and enjoy delicious local eats.
🧒 Kids’ Scavenger Hunt: A fun way for kids to explore the fair and learn about mushrooms and nature. Free prizes available while supplies last. Stop by the info table!
🎤 Workshops & Talks: Learn about mushroom identification, cultivation, and more. All included with admission!

Come learn, explore, and connect with our local myco community. We can’t wait to see you there!

(Vendor applications for the 2026 fair are now closed. Follow us to hear about future opportunities, and please ignore scams claiming to have vendor spaces available.)

10/16/2026

Help support two local nonprofits at the 48th Annual HBMS Mushroom Fair 🍄

🥫 Food Drive + Raffle!
Bring up to 10 non-perishable food items and get 1 raffle ticket per item, or buy tickets at the fair!

All food supports Food for People, Inc and raffle proceeds help fund HBMS and the Mushroom Fair.

🎁 Raffle Prize Donations Needed!
We’re collecting prizes before the fair! Things like mushroom-themed art, home decor, plants, camping or kitchen gear, or anything a forager might love.

🪵 Please don’t bring prizes to the fair!
DM, bring them to a monthly meeting or email [email protected] to arrange pickup.

💚 Give, win, and help our community thrive!

10/12/2026

🍄 Preview of our 2026 Mushroom Fair merch! 🍄

This year’s design features Cordyceps militaris, also known as the Scarlet Caterpillar Club or Zombie Fungus, beautifully illustrated by HBMS member and artist Erielle Laura (Erielle Laura ). Check out all 6 styles and colors! 👕✨

Want to snag some merch? Member-only preorders are open October 11-25! The shop is password-protected, and the password is included in our October newsletter. Shipping is available for members, too! After October 25, merch will only be available for purchase in person at the Fair.

🍄 Not a member yet? Join us! HBMS members receive FREE admission to the 48th Annual Mushroom Fair on November 22, 2026, and family memberships get your whole family in for free! Visit the Membership tab at hbmycologicalsociety.org or through the link in our bio to learn how to join. New members will receive our October newsletter with the shop password and preorder details!

🌿 Members can also earn a free t-shirt by volunteering! One shift earns you a free membership renewal, and two or more shifts earn you a free unisex short-sleeve tee. Check the October newsletter for volunteer sign-up details.

We can’t wait to celebrate another year of mushrooms, learning, and community with you! 💛🍄

10/07/2026

This year’s Mushroom Fair artwork was created by HBMS member and artist Erielle Laura Erielle Laura and features Cordyceps militaris, also known as the “caterpillar fungus” or “zombie fungus.”

You’ll be able to take a little piece of this year’s artwork home with you, with limited-edition shirts and hoodies available for purchase at the Fair on 11/22/26 at the Arcata Community Center.

HBMS members get an early chance to snag the merch! Members can preorder shirts and hoodies October 11-25. Not a member yet? Join HBMS to get access to the preorder and support our fungi-loving community.

All proceeds support HBMS’s nonprofit programs, including scholarships, speaker honoraria, and educational events that promote community education and conservation.

Come celebrate all things fungi, and maybe leave wearing one 🍄

10/02/2026

The October meeting will feature our Don Bryant Memorial lecture with Jennifer Levine Jennifer Levine , presenting:

“From Forest to Dessert Plate - Mushroom Themed Confections with Candy Caps”

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, 10/21 from 7-9pm at HUUF (24 Fellowship Way, Bayside, CA) & streamed via Zoom. We strongly encourage carpooling (and getting there early, this will be a popular one!)

7:00–7:30: Tea & social time, show and tell (bring your mugs & mushrooms!), and a free raffle for in-person attendees

7:30–7:45: Zoom begins, club business

7:45–9:00: Featured speaker

Talk Description:
Join us for a whimsical visual journey into the world of mushroom-themed desserts, where the beauty of the forest meets the art of pastry. This slide show will showcase a collection of imaginative desserts inspired by mushrooms, featuring candy cap mushrooms and their distinctive maple-like flavor.
We’ll explore how candy caps can inspire unique flavor combinations, playful designs, and woodland-inspired presentations. From delicate mushroom-shaped confections to elegant plated desserts, each creation highlights the surprising connection between fungi and the world of sweets.
Come discover how these fascinating mushrooms can transform familiar desserts into something unexpected, enchanting, and delicious.

Our monthly meetings are free & open to the public. Our speaker series is funded by our Annual Mushroom Fair, being held this year on 11/22/26 at the Arcata Community Center.

This talk will be streamed via Zoom! Zoom begins at 7:30pm.

Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81204878727?pwd=sJECq6qteRMTjaSbLWhABiFtpomua7.1

Meeting ID 812 0487 8727

Passcode 141863

Hbmycologicalsociety.org/events

09/07/2026

It's finally time!! We are thrilled to announce our first meeting of the 2026 season. Our September meeting will feature the awardee of our 2026 Fungal Research Stipend, Sarah Conway Humbotany🌿🔬, presenting “Tales from Tanzania”.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, 9/16, from 7-9PM at HUUF (24 Fellowship Way, Bayside, CA) & streamed via Zoom. We strongly encourage carpooling, and don't forget to bring a mug!

09/03/2026

Lobster Mushroom Dye Workshop: Peaches & Pinks!

Join Kristen Lucas of Naturally Dyed Designs for a hands-on lobster mushroom dyeing class! You’ll dye and take home two beautiful scarves, one wool and one silk, creating gorgeous peach and pink colors.

Learn how to turn lobster mushrooms into natural dyes while exploring the fun and sometimes finicky process of mushroom dyeing. Lobster mushrooms may be edible, but when you find one that isn’t suitable for eating, don’t toss it out. Dye with it instead! 🍄

Come learn, create, and leave with two unique, naturally dyed scarves of your own.

When: Saturday 10/3/26
Where: HUUF, 24 Fellowship Way, Bayside, CA
Time: 1 pm – 4 pm
Price: $70 members - $75 public
HBMS members: Check your email for your $5 discount code

Visit our website (link in bio) for more info!

07/07/2026

🍄 Join us for the 48th Annual HBMS Mushroom Fair on Sunday, November 22, 2026!

Step into the enchanting world of fungi for a day of fresh mushroom displays, educational talks, workshops, vendors, food trucks, mushroom cultivation supplies, books, art, apparel, and more.

Whether you're a longtime fungi lover or simply curious about the odd mushrooms in your backyard, everyone is welcome.

📅 Sunday, November 22, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
📍 Arcata Community Center

Bring mushrooms you'd like identified, or photos showing both the top and underside.

The Mushroom Fair is HBMS's largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds support scholarships and educational programs for our community.

🎟️ Tickets are available at the door only.

Vendor applications for the 2026 fair are now closed. Follow us to hear about future opportunities, and please ignore scams claiming to have vendor spaces available or asking for payment through comments or direct messages.

We can't wait to celebrate another mushroom season with you! 🍂

Address

Sonoma County, CA

Website

http://www.hbmycologicalsociety.org/links

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