Intern Report
Hello Fellow Mushroom Enthusiasts!
This is my last report as the official WMMA intern, although certainly no end to my participation in
the mushroom scene. Although I formallyresigned from the position at the yearly board meeting, I am
still continuing to fill in until the next mycological mastermind takes over.
We've seen some fine attendance at the morel seminars so far this year -- nearly 60 people turned
out at our first Missoula presentation; attendance at the Kalispell, Libby, Townsend, and Helena seminars
was20, 30, 30, and 50 respectively. Three more seminars in Missoula, Hamilton, and Salmon, ID will
conclude this series. I look forward to stalking morels this spring with the new members.
The Oyster Mushroom Project is one of my personal all time favorite concepts, and I intend to stay
involved in the project I just can't tell you folks how much this initially impressed me I made some great
contacts with property owners interested in growing oysters in their riparian areas. Glen Babcock
brought photos to the February WMMA board meeting of a pure culture of the local oyster mushrooms
growing on sterilized straw and of a stump he inoculated with oysters, and the fruiting was very
impressive.
I am also continuing to pursue grant writing, and hope to help secure funding for the mushroom
identification flashcards which have generated such great interest; I already have a list of interested buyers
once they are available for sale. My musical pursuits compelled me to step down as WMMA intern, but I
am pleased to report that my first fungus tune, "Naematoloma" may be available on my upcoming CD,
Zoe's Garden.
Thanks to all the members of the WMMA . I truly appreciate the opportunity to serve as intern and
to continue to use what I've learned for the good of mushrooms everywhere. See you all in the forest!
by Dale Johnson
There was another successful meeting of the Northern branch of the WMMA.
19 people were there, and we gained two new memberships. We covered the next meetings, membership
push (again by the broken record Dale) the upcoming forays,
and the morel workshops. I have formed two committees:
One is forpublicity and phone calls. These folks will get out the word to the media for
announcements and information and also get the membership called for events.
The other is for the Fall Foray. I am going to have a group here do most of the planning and
coordination. We will take over some of the ground level planning and arranging for this event, which we
plan to do in conjunction with other clubs around.
I am also doing a slide show for the Native Plant Society in April and alsosome sort of show for a
business in Bigfork that does educational lunch sessions.
Remember that you can request the WMMA spring mushroom slide show topresent to a local
group if you wish. It comes with a written script.
The morel seminarshave been a great success. Over 300 people have attended around the state
and in Idaho, and requests have come in for even more presentations, time and energy permitting. We
have sent out nearly 100 free FJ newsletters, and so far about 10 new members have joined. A big thank
you to all the people who helped make this possible, and especially Larry for all his hard work.
The WEBSITE is looking really great these days, thanks to Su Gregerson and all the time she has
put into it. Check out our new bulletin boardfor the latest information about where the morels are
popping, and what else is happening.
The mushroom ID cardsproject is coming along. Larry has proofed some ofthe test prints, and
we expect to have the cards ready for sale at the fall foray.
Hope to see you all at the Memorial Day Foray!
