Presentation: Mushrooms for Beginners

Tuesday, 10/7/2025
6:00 - 7:30
Virtual Library

United States

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Explore mushroom foraging, lore, health benefits and more with citizen scientist and passionate mushroom enthusiast Lisa Stewart. We delve into cultural significance and folklore, as well as nutritional and health benefits such as "shinrin-yoku" or forest bathing. We cover the risks of toxicity, mushroom toxins, phobias around poisonings, and why correct identification is essential. Finally, we offer practical tips on finding and identifying wild mushrooms, highlighting the importance of local mushrooming clubs and good identification books written by reliable, expert sources.

Lisa Stewart is by day a Computer Programmer and Engineering Manager at a technology company and at the weekends a citizen scientist and passionate mushroom enthusiast with a deep-rooted love for mycology and the natural world.  Lisa served 16 years (2008 to 2024) in different capacities on the Board of Directors for the Sonoma County Mycological Association (SOMA), where she helped guide educational outreach, foraging events, and community engagement around fungi. Her years of service reflect a commitment to environmental stewardship, scientific curiosity, and fostering a vibrant community of mushroom lovers in Northern California.

Connect:  Sonoma County Mycological Association

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This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

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