VMS Meeting Nov 8 — Kabir Bhalla: Of Maize and Men
VanDusen Botanical Garden 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver, BCOf Maize and Men: How do fungal pathogens such as Ustilago maydis and Cryptococcus neoformans cause disease? Kabir Bhalla (he/him) is a graduate student in the Kronstad Lab at UBC. He is particularly interested in polyphosphate, a phosphorus biopolymer, and how it contributes to disease in the pathogenic basidiomycete yeast, Cryptococcus neoformans. 7 pm: Doors and Mushroom Mingling Come at 7 pm to secure a good seat and chat about mushrooms with our experts who will identify specimens. Be sure to check out what fungal finds are on the table (and bring your own!) 7:30 - 9:30: Guest Talk Bhalla will be presenting a broad overview of C. neoformans and U. maydis, their disease mechanisms, and some recent work from the Kronstad Lab at the University of British Columbia. Join us in person at VanDusen Gardens (Floral Hall). Members may attend the presentation via Zoom. This would be a hybrid meeting, meaning those who cannot attend in person can join us live through Zoom and there will be a Zoom recording in our members' archive.
March Meeting: Paul Kroeger presents “Darwin’s Elves”
VanDusen Botanical Garden 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver, BCPaul Kroeger has studied mushrooms for over thirty-five years and is a founding member of the Vancouver Mycological Society. He has been involved in many projects and studies about diverse aspects of mushrooms, gaining knowledge about fungal ecology, biochemistry of toxic, hallucinogenic, medicinal, and edible mushrooms. Years of experience have created unique insights and understanding of fungal life-ways and interactions in temperate ecosystems. Kroeger has many times served as President of the VMS and co-authored ‘The Outer Spores: Mushrooms of Haida Gwaii’ in 2012. He has worked at the University of British Columbia researching the biochemistry of medicinal mushrooms and is a major contributor to the mycological herbarium collections in UBC’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum. Paul is an entertaining, knowledgeable speaker who gives illustrated talks throughout the Pacific Northwest on subjects such as general mycology, fungal biology, poisonous mushrooms, magic mushrooms, biology, and the mycology of hot springs. “Darwin’s Elves”: Poisonous mushrooms and mushroom poisonings An introduction to poisonous mushrooms and their effects is important for all those who are interested in mushrooms as a hobby. Major toxin types and their effects are described, and a few case studies show how suspect fungi are identified. This presentation presents practical general guidelines for safely […]
October Monthly VMS Meeting
The Usual: VanDusen, Floral Hall 5151 Oak St, Vancouver, BC, CanadaJoin us for our monthly educational meeting! Details to be announced!
Fungal Barcoding and Microscopy with Alan Rockefeller
The Usual: VanDusen, Floral Hall 5151 Oak St, Vancouver, BC, CanadaTUESDAY, OCT. 17th, Fungal Barcoding and Microscopy with Alan Rockefeller: The Floral Hall has a capacity of 150 people, so in an effort to not have to turn anyone away at the event, we have made an Eventbrite page. If you would like to attend Alan Rockefeller's talk, please register below as soon as possible: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fungal-barcoding-and-microscopy-with-alan-rockefeller-tickets-734904608467?aff=oddtdtcreator As with all our events, bringing in fresh specimens is HIGHLY encouraged. Let's show Alan the fungal bounty of our region!
42nd Annual Fall Mushroom Show
The Usual: VanDusen, Floral Hall 5151 Oak St, Vancouver, BC, CanadaGet ready for the 42nd Annual Fall Mushroom show! When: Sunday, October 22nd, 2023 When: 10am – 5pm Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden, Floral Hall, West 37th and Oak Street, Vancouver, B.C. Canada BC's biggest mushroom festival will return to Floral hall this Fall bigger and better than ever. We have extended our hours to bring you loads of family fun mushroom festivities! We will have: - live entertainment - fresh and dried mushrooms for sale - mushroom kits - guest speakers - books and apparel - arts and crafts - mush more! Bring your own specimens for identification! Please note, talks and presentations will take place in the Cedar Room of the Floral Hall, which has a capacity of 50. Talks are "first come first serve". Masks are optional, and appreciated. Admission $5.00, children under 12 free. Wheelchair accessible. Parking free but VERY limited. Venue is transit accessible via the 17, R4, and 41 bus lines. Speakers and talk schedule will be announced on the day! If admission price is a barrier, please contact president@vanmyco.com This event is held on Ancestral, Traditional, and Unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) […]
VMS Meeting – Nov 2023
The Usual: VanDusen, Floral Hall 5151 Oak St, Vancouver, BC, CanadaThe usual! Speaker TBD
VMS Meeting: Dec 2023
Get cosy and join us online* to watch a stream of the Fungi Film Fest! (https://www.fungifilmfest.com/) *for current VMS members
Survivors’ Banquet
This is a true potluck feast, “catered” by members, for members and their guests. See below for more information. (If you are not currently a member or your membership has expired, memberships can be taken out at the event.) Members are allowed to bring one guest. Entry is by donation, with a suggested donation of 5$ (no one will be turned away for lack of funds). More details: ● Event starts at 5:30 pm with Happy Hour appetizers, spreads, soups, etc. Dinner starts at 6:30 pm. We may be playing music after dinner if you wish to bring an instrument. ● Bring a dish to share with several people, either an appetizer, soup, main or side dish, salad, or dessert. Also, bring a serving utensil or two. (Points for fungi-based dishes, especially dessert.) Please bring a list of ingredients. ● There is no real kitchen in the hall, just a small microwave, so be creative in keeping your dish warm. Tables will be set up to leave your contribution. ● Please bring your own plate, bowl, cup utensils, etc. to use, as well as any centerpiece or other table decor you'd like to add. Seating is “open” at tables for […]
Feb 13th Meeting: Macro/Micro with Bryce Kendrick
The Usual: VanDusen, Floral Hall 5151 Oak St, Vancouver, BC, CanadaDr. Bryce Kendrick has authored more than 300 mycological publications, including several books. Notable titles include The Fifth Kingdom, A Young Person's Guide to Fungi, and The Genera of Hyphomycetes. Dr. Kendrick has studied fungi for over 50 years and is a retired former professor of mycology at the University of Waterloo. He currently lives on Vancouver Island and continues to be involved with the Pacific Northwest Key Council. We are so excited to welcome him here on the mainland for this special presentation. Meeting time: Tuesday, February 13th, 7pm (talk begins at 7:30) Location: Floral Hall, VanDusen Gardens 5251 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1 As always, we welcome and encourage you to bring whatever fungal finds you encounter. These specimens will be proudly identified and displayed at the meeting.
Mushroom Dyeing
Monthly meeting: talk on mushroom dyeing.