Members Only Fungi Outing to Mac Trail with Jonathan Mack and Lynn Ovenden
Saturday October 3rd ; Rain Date (only if rainfall is heavy) Sunday October 4th
9:00 AM – approximately 12:00 PM (noon)
Meeting Location: Macnamara Trail Head (McNab St., Arnprior).
(please note that there are no bathroom facilities)
From Highway 417 exit at County Road 29 (exit 180) and head north to Madawaska Boulevard. Turn left onto Madawaska Boulevard and continue for 1km to MacNab Street. Turn right on McNab Street (just after Rona) and look for the Macnamara Trail parking lot on the right after the entrance to the Nylene Canada plant.
Leaders: Jonathan Mack and Lynn Ovenden
Jonathan is an amateur mycologist who has been interested in the identification of mushrooms for a bit more than 10 years now. He is currently a student at Carleton University doing his Master thesis focusing on microfungi. While microfungi are his main research area, he is quite capable of identifying many of the more typical mushrooms as well. He is also interested in most other organisms, with a preference for birds and insects (specifically moths). Jonathan has provided his link for his iNaturalist account for anyone interested. https://www.inaturalist.org/people/jonathan_mack
Lynn is a biologist who suddenly decided, late in life about 10 years ago, to learn about mushrooms. She bought a field guide, attended Richard Aaron’s Fabulous Fall Fungi course at Queens University Biological Station, started making notes and spore prints of mushrooms she found, and joined a mushroom club. Then she bought more books and attended weekend forays (with lectures!) of other amateur groups. She’ll eat a few species but mostly it’s the thrill of trying to identify them and sharing photos on iNaturalist.
The level of difficulty for this outing is a 2 out of 5 and will run even if there is light rain (some fungi become fabulously colourful in those conditions). While other things of interest won’t be ignored, it is hoped that rain during the week will produce an ample crop of fungi to keep us busy.
Solid, comfortable closed toe footwear (While on your own you may be accustomed to wearing sandals on hikes, as a courtesy to the group, please do not risk a foot injury when on a group outing.) and ability to walk for the duration of the hike is required. You could bring a portable camp stool for this one as we will be stopping frequently. Please bring water to drink, sunscreen, bug spray and/or bug jacket and dress for the weather with long pants tucked into your socks (poison ivy and ticks). Binoculars, a small mirror for looking under the fungi, a hand lens (small personal magnifying glass), and a camera is always a good idea if you have one.
A note about Covid: Participant numbers will be restricted to allow for a safe outing so register early and only if you truly know you can come. You may register yourself and anyone in your own household only. Participation will be on a first come first registered basis. Confirmation emails will be sent.
We will be maintaining physical distancing requirements. Please bring a non-medical mask as this will be required. Please do not come if you are ill or have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid 19. Notification of cancellation as soon as possible would be appreciated.
Register at events@mfnc.ca (please include your full name) no later than Wednesday September 30th.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.