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  • Collecting Policy for River Cottage HQ Fungus Forays

When at the site attendees are asked not to collect any fungus without the explicit permission of the leader.

The leader will decide whether or not to collect a specimen:

If it is rare it will be discussed, noted and left alone. The only exception to this is if it could provide educational benefit or be usefully sent to Kew and is present in abundance. Protected species and those cited in any SSSI declaration for the site will be left.

If it is not rare it may be picked so that attendees may examine it and so that it may form part of a labelled display later. If a specimen of this species has already been collected then no more will be picked unless, by so doing, the differences in mature and immature specimens will be made clear.

Very common edible species may be collected at the discretion of the leader. Immature and over-mature edible species will not be collected as immature specimens will have produced no spores and very mature ones may be producing them in abundance and are also likely to be host to invertebrates.

Unknown species may be collected by the leader for identification and recording purposes.

Notes:

There is actually no evidence that collecting fungi is damaging to the species’ well being or viability though, surprisingly, there is some evidence that it is beneficial. Mushrooms and toadstools etc. are the fruiting body of a larger organism below ground or within some other substrate. Wholesale collection of vast quantities of fruit bodies (fbs) may eventually have a deleterious effect but this is merely thoughtful presumption. Fungal fbs, nevertheless, are important hosts for invertebrates and also provide an important visual amenity for walkers. It is mainly for these reasons that this policy exists.

The purpose of RC mushroom hunting days is educational and inspirational. Most, but by no means all, people are interested in the edible species; however, by studying all species found they are able to gain a much broader understanding of the fungi. Should their interest in edible fungi continue, their identification abilities will be much enhanced.

The present leader, John Wright, has over thirty year’s experience in mycology and has lead about two hundred and fifty forays.