Introduction to Mycology: Mushrooms, Ecology, and Foraging—October 4, 2025
Saturday, October 4, 2025
10:00am-3:00pm
Location:
TBD, within the Port Townsend surrounding area
Instructor:
Tim Leavitt
Whether you’re a curious beginner or looking to deepen your knowledge, this hands-on, field-based class offers something for everyone. Explore the biology and ecology of mushrooms as you learn about their vital roles in ecosystems, from interactions with plants and soil to their unique place in nature.
With expert guidance, you’ll learn to identify common mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest and their habitats, including how to distinguish edible from look-alike toxic varieties. You’ll also build essential skills for safe and sustainable foraging, gaining understanding of the ethical practices that ensure your foraging leaves the environment healthy and thriving.
By the end of the class, you’ll have increased skills and a greater sense of confidence to forage mushrooms safely and sustainably, while deepening your connection with nature and the fascinating world of fungi!
What to Bring:
boots
rain gear
basket
knife
Tuition:
$120
Ages:
Ages 12 + (minors must be accompanied by a registered adult)
Saturday, October 4, 2025
10:00am-3:00pm
Location:
TBD, within the Port Townsend surrounding area
Instructor:
Tim Leavitt
Whether you’re a curious beginner or looking to deepen your knowledge, this hands-on, field-based class offers something for everyone. Explore the biology and ecology of mushrooms as you learn about their vital roles in ecosystems, from interactions with plants and soil to their unique place in nature.
With expert guidance, you’ll learn to identify common mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest and their habitats, including how to distinguish edible from look-alike toxic varieties. You’ll also build essential skills for safe and sustainable foraging, gaining understanding of the ethical practices that ensure your foraging leaves the environment healthy and thriving.
By the end of the class, you’ll have increased skills and a greater sense of confidence to forage mushrooms safely and sustainably, while deepening your connection with nature and the fascinating world of fungi!
What to Bring:
boots
rain gear
basket
knife
Tuition:
$120
Ages:
Ages 12 + (minors must be accompanied by a registered adult)
Saturday, October 4, 2025
10:00am-3:00pm
Location:
TBD, within the Port Townsend surrounding area
Instructor:
Tim Leavitt
Whether you’re a curious beginner or looking to deepen your knowledge, this hands-on, field-based class offers something for everyone. Explore the biology and ecology of mushrooms as you learn about their vital roles in ecosystems, from interactions with plants and soil to their unique place in nature.
With expert guidance, you’ll learn to identify common mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest and their habitats, including how to distinguish edible from look-alike toxic varieties. You’ll also build essential skills for safe and sustainable foraging, gaining understanding of the ethical practices that ensure your foraging leaves the environment healthy and thriving.
By the end of the class, you’ll have increased skills and a greater sense of confidence to forage mushrooms safely and sustainably, while deepening your connection with nature and the fascinating world of fungi!
What to Bring:
boots
rain gear
basket
knife
Tuition:
$120
Ages:
Ages 12 + (minors must be accompanied by a registered adult)
Meet Your Instructor
Tim Leavitt started picking mushrooms at a very early age. While still riding in a backpack, he searched for Chanterelles in the woods of Oregon with his father. By the age of 12 he was picking mushrooms and selling them to the local grocery store. Before graduating from college he was already working as a mycologist in the school Herbarium and studying with mycologist, Dr. David Hosford.
After college, Tim went to work for Paul Stamets at Fungi Perfecti where he was introduced to mushroom cultivation. At this point in time, information about mycology was difficult to find and Tim was lucky enough to reside in Paul’s yurt and have access to Paul’s library of clandestine information. Later he continued studying taxonomy with David Hosford and acquired a new position as Pacific Northwest Regional Mycologist for the United States Dept. of Agriculture.
Tim’s interest in mycology went farther when he invested in a truffle farm that ultimately failed due to Filbert blight. After the truffiere, Tim found himself the proud stay-at-home father of two beautiful girls. Tim switched his focus from ecology, taxonomy and mycorrhizology and began to concentrate on mastering cooking wild mushrooms. This led to the creation of a book called “Cooking Wild Mushrooms For People Who Don’t Like Mushrooms” and being included in the “Fantastic Fungi Community Cookbook” along with many other mycologists.
Currently Tim is the owner of the Cedar Falls Treehouse a mycology education center in North Bend Washington. He also created the Cedar Falls Mycology Podcast.
In addition to mycology, Tim also enjoys skateboarding, snowboarding, coaching soccer and hunting.
Facebook Page: cooking wild mushrooms
Instagram Account: Cooking_Wild_Mushrooms