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Our field and woodland mushrooms are usually overlooked, frequently beautiful, endlessly interesting, and essential partners in sustaining our local, natural landscapes. In this session we will meet some local mushrooms and learn what they do and how they do it. We will discover that although they may appear small and fragile, mushrooms are critical organisms that drive landscape fertility and biodiversity. We may also learn that some are delicious while others are quite toxic! Come and enjoy.

Cost is $5/member and $7/non-member. Pre-registration is required. Please call 646-1555 to reserve your space.

Presenter biography:

Kevin T. Smith is a Wells resident as well as being a plant physiologist and project leader for the Northern Research Station of the US Forest Service, based in Durham NH. Kevin is also Affiliate Professor of Plant Biology at the University of New Hampshire. His personal research includes the response of living trees to injury from storms, fire, and human activity and to infection by wood decay fungi. Kevin supervises a large multidisciplinary research unit including the Center for Forest Mycology Research, the national US program that investigates both beneficial and damaging forest fungi. He has authored more than 80 research papers, book chapters, and magazine articles. His personal research is linked to http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/people/ktsmith.