The Pacolet Area Conservancy and Walnut Creek Preserve will hold an informational presentation about mushrooms on Saturday, Aug. 4 at 10:30 a.m. at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve.

Todd Elliott is a native of the mountains of western North Carolina and a student at Warren Wilson College. An award-winning nature photographer whose photos have appeared in books and magazines, Elliott said he is passionate about studying the diversity of life.

His studies have led him on collecting trips from the deserts of Mexico to the snow banks of the Sierra Nevada, from the rainforests of Costa Rica and southeast Asia to the Australian backcountry.

At Walnut Creek Preserve he will present an introduction to the world of fungi in the Southern Appalachians. He will give a brief lecture on the basics of identification, which will be followed by a walk around the preserve to collect and talk about any mushrooms that might be growing.

Then, time and weather permitting, those interested will go out on the property at Walnut Creek Preserve to look for mushrooms. Dress appropriately and bring good walking shoes and a basket. Children and adults are welcome and there is no charge.

To get to Walnut Creek Preserve’s Nature Center from the Tryon and Columbus area, take Hwy. 108 E and turn left on to Hwy. 9 N toward Lake Lure. Follow Hwy. 9 N for 5 miles and turn right onto McGuinn Road (at the Exxon station). Go 1 mile to the intersection with Big Level Road; turn left, go 2/10ths of a mile and take the first right onto Aden Green Road.

Follow Aden Green for 4/10ths of a mile and turn left on Herbarium Lane and into Walnut Creek Preserve.

Take the first left onto Conservatory Lane, which takes you to the parking area for the nature center.
For more information or directions from another location, please contact the Pacolet Area Conservancy at 828-859-5060 or e-mail: landprotection@pacolet.org.

– article submitted by Pam Torlina