Scarborough Mycological Foray

Led by Amish Morrell of Outdoor School, mycologist Alan Gan, and Indigenous Agriculture & Plant Knowledge Keeper Isaac Crosby, this informal foray in the Highland Creek Valley will provide opportunity for participants to gather and study wild mushrooms and other local plants, learning more about their linguistic, historical, cultural, edible, ecological and medicinal properties, while enjoying and celebrating nature. Free and family-friendly, all are welcome!

Registration for this program is required. Free shuttle bus departs OCADU at 12 pm and returns at 4:30 pm, reserve your seat upon registration. If you have accommodation needs, please let us know through the registration form or contact dmg.utsc@utoronto.ca.

Please dress for the weather, wearing good walking shoes, and pants that can be tucked into socks (for avoiding scratches/insect bites if going off path). Sunscreen and bug repellent recommended. It's also recommended to bring a basket in which to collect the mushrooms, and a folding pocket knife to cut them. Additional recommendations can be found on the website of the Mycological Society of Toronto.

This program will be held outdoors, and it will go forward rain or shine. Participants can choose how much of the valley they would like to explore during the program. The U of T Scarborough Valley Trail is wheelchair accessible; the trail that continues beyond is an uneven, dirt path. This program will include opportunities to sit down/rest.

About the facilitators

Outdoor School is an ongoing series of activities that link contemporary art with outdoor education by Diane Borsato and Amish Morrell, in collaboration with various other practitioners. Projects include university courses, gallery exhibitions, mushroom forays, outdoor performances, forest teas, plant walks, outdoor lectures, and more.

Alan Gan has contributed to the Ministry of Environment and Department of Parks and Recreation in archiving the collection of fungi around the Greater Toronto Area. He has presented talks and seminars on mushroom identification, and is currently leading a group of Asian mushroom enthusiasts for Spring and Falls forays.

Isaac Crosby comes from Harrow, ON, a small farming community 30 minutes south of Windsor. He is proud of his Ojibwa/Black Canadian heritage and looks forward to sharing their histories. He incorporates his education and traditional First Nations farming to grow great crops, to teach others, and to do his part in saving the Earth. Isaac is the Indigenous Agriculture & Plant Knowledge Keeper at U of T Scarborough.