Mushrooms in the Chicago Region, June 4 @ 7:30 pm

Illinois Mycological Association

Mushrooms in the Chicago Region
Dr. Patrick Leacock, Adjunct Curator, Mycology
Department of Botany, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago

June 4, 2012 @ 7:30 pm
Meeting Location: North Park Village Nature Center 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago, IL


A local woodland may support 300 species of macro-fungi (mushrooms, brackets and other readily visible fungi). They comprise decomposers and recyclers of wood, leaf litter, and other organic matter, mycorrhizal symbionts with tree roots, and some parasites. Edible mushrooms are found in each category.

Patrick Leacock, Ph.D. is a mycologist with the Field Museum of Natural History. For over 14 years he has documented the macro-fungi of the Chicago Region. Studies investigate fungi in relation to woodland restoration via burning, impacts of nitrogen pollution, and habitat diversity. A checklist of over a thousand fungi for the region is in production, which can be found here: http://www.mycoguide.com/.

The meeting, like most of our meetings, will be held at the North Park Village Nature Center, beginning at 7:30 PM.

Meeting Location: North Park Village Nature Center 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago, IL

The North Park Village Nature Center is located just off the Edens Expressway (I-94). You will exit at Peterson and travel east to Pulaski. Go south (right) on Pulaski until you reach the North Park Village complex which will be on the east (left) side of the street. Once you have entered the complex, follow the signs, bearing left. You will come to a group of buildings surrounding parking lots on the right. The Nature Center is on the left (North) as you enter. It is a small building, with a small sign in front.