MushGiving 2025: A Mycelial Celebration

MushGiving 2025: A Mycelial Celebration

The North Texas Mycological Association (NTMA) invites you to our annual MushGiving Celebration, a three-day event from November 7th to 9th, focusing on the Caddo National Grasslands just an hour northeast of McKinney! This is more than just a celebration; it's a dedicated weekend to deepen your knowledge of mushrooms and strengthen our vibrant community of passionate mycophiles. Join us as we celebrate the incredible world of fungi and the crucial role they play in our ecosystem.

Experience & Expertise

We've brought together top experts in the field of mycology to share their knowledge with you. Our keynote speakers include renowned mycologist Dr. Christopher Hobbs, who will present on the profound health benefits of medicinal mushrooms. We are also honored to host Dr. David Lewis, who will provide a fascinating look at Texas fungi within herbarium collections and highlight the vital role these archives play in advancing mycology.

In addition to our keynotes, we have an array of culinary delights. Prepare your taste buds for unique cooking demonstrations featuring locally sourced, gourmet mushrooms from Emory Market Gardens, Mushroom Street Farms, and Big Tex Urban Farms. For those interested in getting hands-on, a special optional mushroom cultivation workshop is available for an additional $20. In this workshop, led by Angel Giron from Big Tex Urban Farms, you'll learn the fundamentals of cultivation and build your very own oyster mushroom kit to take home.

A Call to Citizen Scientists

This event is also an open call to all citizen scientists and nature lovers. Our primary goal is to expand our DNA Sequencing Program and help map out the local fungal biodiversity of the Caddo National Grasslands. This pristine wooded area has been a focal point for our events for years and is known for its remarkable abundance of fungal species.

Throughout the forays, we will be collecting and cataloging various fungi. Our expert guides will discuss the unique ecological roles of each species, as well as their potential edibility, medicinal benefits, and toxic lookalikes. The collected specimens will then be brought back to our ID tables, where they will be showcased by our experts during the Specimen Walkthrough & Discussion sessions. Afterwards, these valuable finds will be cataloged on our iNaturalist project and deposited into the herbarium at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) and/or sent off for DNA sequencing.

As evening approaches, the adventure continues with our ultraviolet night forays, where we'll search for the magical glow of fluorescent fungi. For a more relaxed experience, you can gather around the campfire for live music and a social hour with fellow enthusiasts.

Important Event & Planning Details

This will be an outdoor event, so participants should be prepared for varying weather conditions. Expect temperatures to drop into the low 40s at night. Camping is included in the Weekend Pass, and we also have a list of nearby hotels available for those who prefer indoor lodging. Please be prepared for the possibility of rain, as severe weather may lead to the postponement or cancellation of certain outdoor activities.

• Weather Updates: We will be closely monitoring the forecast and will send out email updates if any changes to the schedule are necessary.

• Refund Policy: Refunds are available up until October 24th, two weeks before the event. Refunds will NOT be available after this date, as preparations for your attendance will have already been finalized.

• Event Location: All activities, except for the forays into the Caddo National Grasslands, will take place in a heavily forested area on private property located about 15 minutes away. We will have several covered spaces with an outdoor kitchen set up with hand-washing stations and portapotties available throughout the weekend.

• Accessibility: Please note that our Presentation Area and Outdoor Kitchen are a five-minute walk from the parking area through a forested trail. This may present some challenges for individuals with mobility limitations.