While edible, this recently introduced species to North America is crowding out and displacing native fungal species.

September is ending with a nice little flush of porcini for those lucky enough to get in on it, however it’s still very dry so fingers crossed for rain. I haven’t heard of any reports of fog drip chanterelle yet, but there must be some somewhere.
 
Our first meeting was a great success. Michael St. John from the Marin Search and Rescue unit offered a terrific description of what they do, how they do it, and how they interact with other agencies. He also offered good advice for surviving if you do get lost.
 
Unfortunately, the live presentation from the Randall Museum Theater wasn’t seen by nearly enough people in person. We missed you. Please consider joining us for our in person meetings at the Randall. It’s free! We have a wonderful social hour starting at 6:30 in the Buckley Room with lots of goodies, schmoozing, and a mushroom ID table followed by the meeting and feature presentation in the Theater.
 
Our next event will be the screening of “Follow the Rain” by the Australian company Planet Fungi. It will be shown at the Randall Museum October 16th. We will have a social at 6pm in the Buckley Room, and the screening in the Theater at 7pm. Check below for more information and QR code.  ​Hope to see you at this event!
 
Happy Hunting, 
Mike McCurdy

Registration Opens in just a few days for….
MSSF Mendocino Woodlands Camp
November 14-16, 2025

We’re looking forward to seeing you at camp this November!
Registration for Mendo Camp 2025 begins at 9:00am on Saturday October 4^th

Photos by Grace Neal

FREE to members Movie Night with MSSF on Thursday Oct. 16th in the theater at the Randall Museum! Social hour at 6pm, movie at 7pm (run-time 77min).  Mark you Calendar!

We are thrilled to be able to share a screening of the new Australian documentary FOLLOW THE RAIN – a journey into the weird and exquisite world of fungi

Filmed over several years across some of the wildest landscapes in Australia, Follow the Rain is about fungi and the living, breathing connections that hold ecosystems together. 

It takes audiences on a journey through the mysterious world of zombie fungi, the secret trading systems between trees and fungal partners, a decade-long mission to name a new species and even the rain-making power of fungi in Australia's arid heart.

But what makes this film truly remarkable is its quiet reverence for the natural world and its deep respect for the science that underpins it. The documentary captures not just fungi, but the wonder and discovery that drives those who work to understand it.

The evening will be free to members and $10 for non-members. You will need to reserve a spot to attend.  An email with an Eventbrite link will be sent closer to the date. 

We look forward to seeing you there!!

The library team has been working hard all summer to get the remainder of our library added to our online catalog of the MSSF Library! There's more getting added monthly, and by the end of the year we should have everything available to browse online.

This month's free online book recommendation: Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake. Members and non-members can access it (and more!) through the catalog of free online resources. Prefer to read a physical copy of the book? Members can reserve a copy through the member portal, then plan on picking it up at the next in-person meeting. 

Lastly, we'll be at this year's Mendo Camp! We're keeping our fingers crossed for fruitful conditions but will come armed with books aplenty to read and discuss.