AT: Mushroom Walk at Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve

In Person. Registration Required. Fee $5 (CTMS Members), $10 (Non-Members). Space Limited.

Join legendary mycologist David Lewis, author of Mushrooms of the Gulf Coast States who has discovered many new species of mushrooms in Deep East Texas at the Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve. The preserve offers a sampling of the diversity of the area.  The Preserve was established in the 1980’s by Geraldine Watson, a noted artist, botanist and author. She managed the preserve by using fire to restore its Longleaf pine ecosystem.  Orchids, pitcher plants and other rare plants can be found there. There is an elevated boardwalk near the lake to make wetter habitats easily accessible.

IS THIS FOR ME?

This event is for people that want to explore the diverse ecosystem of Deep East Texas while sharpening their ID skills, and learning more about the fungi kindom. You do not need to be an expert or CTMS member to participate – this is a learning opportunity and the more eyes we have the more we will discover together. This is a family friendly event. Kids under 12 are free and must be accompanied by an adult.

ABOUT MYCOLOGIST DAVID LEWIS

David Lewis is a retired chemist and avid mycologist. He is the author of the Mushrooms of the Gulf Coast States field guide. He received his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, where his thesis was based on a study of East Texas mushrooms. He is a Research Associate with the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, and 5000 collections of his fungi are deposited there. He is an honorary staff member associated with the Tracy Herbarium at Texas A&M University. Since 2006 he has been the Fungal TWiG leader, the coordinator for mycologists, for the Big Thicket National Preserve All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory. He is the former President of the Gulf States Mycological Society, has authored several papers related to mycology, and discovered many new species of mushrooms (three species are named for him).

In November 2009 he received The North American Mycological Association’s award for Contributions to Amateur Mycology, a prestigious award showing appreciation for his many years of dedicated work. He and his wife Patricia live on 65 wooded acres in Newton County, Texas, where they enjoy their plants, fungi and wildlife.

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