CMS Meetings 2025-2026

February 2026 – David G Lewis – Reconstructing the Willamette Valley Environment

Dr Lewis presents research into what the environment of the valley was like previous to settler changes. Settlers changed water systems and eliminated fire as a stewardship tool. In addition tribal culture was taken from the valley- tribes placed on reservations with little influence over their lands. This created a new ecosystem, what we have today, based on agriculture. What do new understandings of what the original environment was like bring to our vision of Kalapuya Culture and issues of restoration and conservation?

January 2026 – Aaron Brader – Sincere Religious Use – Psilocybin Mushrooms as Sacrament

Aaron Brader, founder of The Church of the Mushroom, will discuss the considerations of a framework for the sincere religious use of Psilocybin Mushrooms as a core tenet of faith and for its use as a sacrament. Aaron will first take us on a journey through the history of psychedelic use in human civilization. He will then lead us down the path and the learning curve he encountered in founding the Church of the Mushroom as a legitimate and legal church. Lastly, he will share his personal experiences with the indoor cultivation of Psilocybe cubensis and its use, including the benefits of microdosing.

December 2025 – Kate Mohatt – Alaska’s Mushrooms and their Habitats

This presentation by Kate Mohatt will provide a general overview of the vegetation patterns of Alaska, major mushroom habitats, and a selection of common or otherwise interesting species found in those habitats. Kate’s book, Mushrooms of Alaska, is available directly from Timber Press or via third party outlets (Amazon, Target, Barnes and Nobel, REI, local bookstores).

November 2025 – Chef Chad Hyatt – The Mushroom Hunter’s Kitchen

Join chef and mushroom enthusiast Chad Hyatt as he explores the often-overlooked nuances behind mushroom edibility and culinary use. From challenging conventional wisdom to rethinking flavor pairings, Chad will share insights into the art of cooking with mushrooms. Expect a fresh take on how we judge, prepare, and celebrate mushrooms in the kitchen.

October 2025 – Monica Larcom – Search and Rescue: Staying Safe while Searching for Fungi

This is an excellent interactive video with the audience asking numerous questions about how we as a club and as individuals can prevent getting lost while constantly looking at the ground for mushrooms. Monica Larcom will be discussing best practices for forest and wilderness survival techniques, and how to best not need Search and Rescue Services while mushroom hunting in the Pacific Northwest. She will review a few extended search-survival success stories and how to make the best of a worst-case scenario.

September 2025 – Sandy Patton – What we know about Fungi

Sandy Patton discovered foraging for mushrooms after moving to Eugene in the fall of 2007. No, she is not a mycologist or expert on fungi. But, she does identify as a self-proclaimed fungi evangelist! In this talk, she will give us a glimpse into what she has learned about fungi since joining CMS. As the Co-Editor of the CMS newsletter along with her husband Ron, she receives daily emails of current news on the subjects of mushrooms, fungi, and mycelium. This presentation is a round-up of 10 years of being amazed at the ubiquitous nature of fungi in our ecosystems and our lives.