August 11-20, 2023 - Continental Mycoblitz on PEI
Nature PEI will be participating in the 2023 Continental Mycoblitz, between August 11-20, 2023. Mycologists in the three Maritime Provinces will coordinate the Mycoblitz efforts in our region, to try sequence over 1,000 collections of mushrooms from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. This Mycoblitz is a unique opportunity to officially document PEI's fungal diversity.
There are two ways you can participate:
1) Between August 11-20 get out and document, on iNaturalist, all the fungi you can find. Please remember the helpful tips to maximize our ability to confirm identification.
and/or
2) Between August 11-20, collect specimens for DNA sequencing. Specimens collected must be documented on iNaturalist and an excel datasheet, and dehydrated completely.
If you own a dehydrator and would like to be involved in collecting specimens, contact Ken Sanderson at ken@mushroomsofpei.ca. A moderately priced Salton Food Dehydrator DH1454 can be ordered from Walmart if you wish to purchase a dehydrator.
Two events will be held as part of the Mycoblitz:
August 12, 2023 10:00 - 1:00 - (RAIN OR SHINE) Ken Sanderson will lead a blitz of Strathgartney Provincial Park. Participants will spread out to various different trails and habitats in the area and reconvene to go over what was found. Registration in advance is required by emailing: ken@mushroomsofpei.ca
August 19, 2023 1:30 - 4:30 – (RAIN OR SHINE) Rosemary Curley will host a collecting Blitz in western PEI at Trout River Natural Area Trout River Natural Area, 36927 Rte2, Carleton, PEI. Register with Chris Ortenburger chris@naturepei.ca
We will be conducting an October Mushroom Blitz as well.
