Campesina | Educational Walk: Mushroom Foraging

Our focus is to deepen your understanding of the forest ecosystem, how intertwining layers of tree, soil, flora and fauna create a healthy foundation for fungi to grow.

We will provide guidance on sustainable foraging practises, and how to read the environment to find certain species of fungi.

We focus on edible and medicinal identification. By the end of the session you will have an idea of how to identifying and use a handful of species.

Example species are polypores, boletes, deceivers, hedgehog fungus, horn of plenty, amanita varieties, chantarelles, wood ears, beef steak fungus and other brackets.

Where is this event being held?

This event will be held in Sussex. Exact location depends on the weather and conditions nearer the event. Consider it being more or less 25 minute drive from either Lewes, or East Grinstead (never north of East Grinstead).

Who is Luke Manders, the guide?

I am a trained teacher, professional gardener and chef. I am not a professional mycologist. I am a fungi enthusiast; and have been studying hands-on forest mycology through foraging, observation, peer-learning and mushroom eating over the last 8 years. My speciality is bringing people together and sharing a love and fascination for the fungal world and its various habitats: especially the woodland. Because I work with children, work with food and with plants, those junctures are where I most meaningfully build relationships with mushrooms.

What should we expect?

Our day will consist of exploring the landscape around us, using detective skills to read the environment, discover buried treasures, learn about their place in the ecosystem. We will also look at how fungi play a role in our own daily lives, how they influence our behaviour. We will discuss mushroom folklore history, the role of fungi in our environment, foraging equipment, how to collect spore prints. and of course hands-on mushroom exploration. We aim to guide you to be able to feel confident to identify and pick a select group of beginner safe mushrooms.

What should we bring?

- Water - Wellies and waterproofs (if it's wet, there will be mushrooms!) - Snack for yourself (especially the kids) - Anything mushroom related which interests you :) - A small tupperware. We don't encourage group picking on our courses, as being a larger group can ravage an environment and cause some difficult dynamics amongst the group (choosing who gets what). We encourage a small tupperware, to pick individual mushrooms so you can bring them home and identify them using books.

Accessibility?

This is a child friendly event, and so will have a mixture of children and adults. This guided tour will be a gentle stroll through a small woodland. It will be muddy, and if everyone is able to, we will walk off the path often. The ground is often uneven, full of brambles and low growing shrubs. Even though that may limit some people, we will always endeavour to tailor the walk to suit the needs of the people joining. Everyone should have the chance to access these types of experiences.

What is the aim of this course?

To develop a connection with the mysterious world of fungi is such a joy. You do not need to be a professional to go out and explore the woods, find mushrooms and collect them. However, you do need knowledge and experience to eat them and collect sustainably. I am aiming to equip you with a few safe tools to do that.

Are dogs welcome on the walks?

We love dogs. However, not everybody does. It can be problematic managing other guests relationship with dogs, as well as meeting members of the public in the space. If you need to bring a dog, please contact us directly - ideally we don't bring dogs. Sorry!

4hrs class1 event

from £25

Age Requirement

This event is suitable for all ages