To pick or not to pick – learn the difference

Who doesn’t love a good steak smothered in mushrooms or a side dish of the delectable fungi drizzled with olive oil? The exploding interest in mushrooms, plus the lure of the great outdoors, has led to an unprecedented uptick in mushroom hunting or foraging. Unfortunately, many foragers do not take the time to familiarize themselves with the different species. Most recent data shows the United States records over 7,400 mushroom exposure cases each year. While 86 percent resulted in only minor symptoms, the other 14 percent suffered kidney damage, liver failure, and even death. The notorious death cap is the culprit in 90 percent of these cases. 

While Alaska is not home to the death cap mushrooms, it does have 22 known poisonous species. Obviously the trick to a successful mushroom adventure is being able to differentiate the poisonous from the nonpoisonous. 

The University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Service and the Delta Career Advancement Center have teamed up to bring down mycologist Christin Swearingen on Friday, September 11, and Saturday, September 12.

Friday will be an overview of mushrooms in Alaska and what the class will be looking for on Saturday’s field trips. According to Eve Karczmarczyk with the Cooperative Extension, the class will have two field trips to collect local mushrooms. They will bring them back to the classroom for identification and learn what to look for in identifying mushrooms. Students are also encouraged to bring in any mushrooms found around their homes. They are asked to bring the entire mushroom and indicate where it was found, such as in the moss, on a tree, or dirt pathway.

Friday’s class will be limited to 25, while Saturday’s will have a limit of 15.

Anyone interested in learning more about edible fungus can find out more information or can register at the Partners for Progress in Delta’s Career Advancement Center at info@deltacareeradvancementcenter.com or call the office at 907-895-4605. Class fee is $10 per day, with Friday running from 7-9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon, and 1-4 p.m.

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