Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council for the monthly Slough Science event series! This month we are excited to welcome Leah Bendlin for a conversation about the basics of mushroom identification and common spring mushrooms of the PNW. We will focus on common edibles like oysters and morels, indicator species, as well as other interesting and beautiful non-edible species. We will learn how to tell edibles apart from poisonous or just otherwise tricky potential look alikes, noting particular physical features and habitats that will help you to identify them on your own.
Getting there: This event will be held in the “Annex” at Level Beer. Keep an eye out for Columbia Slough Watershed Council signs when you arrive. Parking is free in their lot. Public Transportation? Bus 87 and 21 make stops nearby.
Level Beer: This is an all ages venue. Drinks (alcoholic and NA) can be purchased in the brewery throughout the event. Food is also available for purchase through on site food carts Pita Giovanni, Tidal Boar “Shuck Truck”, Flor de Guilaguetza.
Accessibility: This site has restrooms and seating available. There is a small door frame lip at the entrance to the event area, but otherwise no stairs present.
Questions? Reach out to Amanda, at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.
Leah Bendlin is a Portland based mushroom and community science enthusiast. She caught the mycology bug after her first outing hunting chanterelles with a friend. She was amazed at the diversity of other mushrooms that day, and set out to learn the science of identification. That curiosity proved insatiable, and now, 12 years later, she has become an expert taxonomist and aspires to learn the name of every mushroom she encounters, and delights in teaching others. Leah has special interests in taxonomy, uncommonly known edibles, mycoheterotrophic plants, slime molds, ascomycetes (cup fungi) and social justice. She regularly leads mushroom ID classes and walks through various Pacific Northwest organizations and has volunteered as a teacher, identifier and board member of the Oregon Mycological Society. Find her on Instagram at @leah_mycelia!