Ideas for how to add to your mushroom IQ

There are myriad ways to learn more about mushrooms found in Minnesota, what to look for and where to find them. Here are some ideas to get started:

Seek expertise

Minnesota Mycological Society, the official group of fungi fans, welcomes guests at its monthly meetings at the University of Minnesota, where it hosts talks on a variety of topics. Society members can join forays throughout the year, with four Saturday outings planned for this week, Sept. 26, Oct. 3 and 10, all within driving distance of the metro area.

Information: minnesotamycologicalsociety.org

Where to go

Most public lands such as national wildlife refuges, state forests and parks allow mushroom hunting as long as what's collected is for personal consumption and not for sale.

Upcoming events

Sunday: Mushroom walk at 1 p.m. at Wolsfeld Woods Scientific and Natural Area near Long Lake (651-259-5800; dnr.state.mn.us) and program on Minnesota mushrooms at Lake Maria State Park near Monticello at 1 p.m. (763-878-2325; dnr.state.mn.us).

Sept. 19: "Mushrooms 101:  More Than Morels" at Rice Lake State Park, 10 a.m. to noon (1-507-455-5871; dnr.state.mn.us)

Sept. 26: "Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants of Minnesota and Wisconsin," 10 a.m. to noon, William O'Brien State Park near Marine on St. Croix. There is a presentation and short foray with Kelley Hagenbuch, a master herbalist and chiropractor (651-433-0500; dnr.state.mn.us).

Lisa Meyers McClintick