- Nov 1, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 15
If there is a particular speaker whom you are very motivated to see, we recommend that you buy advance tickets for the Fungus Fair and that talk, and be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before the talk.
The Santa Cruz Fungus Fair has two lecture venues:
Headliners: The headliners speak in the London Nelson Multipurpose Room (Room 3). You will need to buy a separate ticket for each talk, in addition to your general admission ticket. This year we will be selling the majority of the headliner tickets online, in advance of the fair. Though we will continue to sell a few tickets at the door for procrastinators, it is highly recommended that you buy your ticket ahead of time if there is a particular speaker whom you are very motivated to see.
Open Educational Talks: Knowledgeable local and not so local mycologists give informative and educational talks in a smaller room. These talks are included in the Fungus Fair general admission price. Seating is limited and first-come, first served. Early morning and late afternoon talks tend to have smaller crowds.
Room 3 Headliner Talks
$5 per talk. Purchase tickets in advance, before they sell out. Please study each description carefully so you can purchase tickets for the talks that most interest you.
Friday, January 10, 2025
2:30 pm-3:30 pm | Alan RockefellerBioluminescent and Fluorescent FungiThese types of mushrooms are both beautiful and scientifically fascinating. This presentation has hundreds of high quality photos and photography tips for both types of glowing mushrooms, and includes information on using a UV light to identify mushrooms. |
Saturday, January 11, 2025
9:30 am-10:30 am | Christopher Hobbs, PH.D.The Magic Mushroom TalkPsilocybin mushrooms are renowned as spiritual guides and tools for dissolving the ego, helping to overcome trauma, limiting beliefs, and mental blocks and clinical research shows they can effectively treat anxiety, depression, addiction, and PTSD. In this talk, we'll explore the transformative potential of psilocybin through recent science and practices. |
11:15 am-12:15 pm | Christian SchwarzFungi of New Zealand: The Ecology of a Young LandAotearoa — the land more commonly known as New Zealand is young in many ways: In recent geologic history, it nearly drowned after splitting off from the Australian continent, and it was the last bit of Earth’s land to be inhabited by human beings. This island nation is a wild and wondrous place — very different from anything familiar to a resident of the Northern Hemisphere. We’ll talk about the holistic ecology of the place, using fungi as a lens to understand the bigger picture. |
1:00 pm-2:00 pm | Bill SchoenbartMedicinal Mushrooms - Science and Traditional UsageMedicinal mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. They have also been the subject of numerous scientific studies in recent years. This talk will review the traditional functions and indications of turkey tail, reishi, cordyceps, and lion's mane, and we will discuss clinical studies and research into these incredible gifts from nature. |
2:45 pm-3:45 pm | Noah SiegelMushrooms of the Redwood CoastFrom towering redwoods to live oak woodlands, northern California has diverse habitats which host a dazzling array of fungi. From the worlds largest chanterelle, to massive Porcini, or a rainbow of tiny waxy caps in the redwood duff, this talk will introduce you to the mushrooms of the Redwood Coast. |
4:30 pm-5:30 pm | Henry YoungWhat You Need to Know About Poisonous MushroomsWe will explore the intersection of poisonous mushrooms and people who accidentally or purposefully eat them. Toxic fungi from the deadly to the lose your lunch bunch and their impact on humans will be covered. |
Sunday, January 12, 2025
9:30 am-10:30 am | Noah SiegelAdventures of a MycohoboEver wonder what mushrooms occur in the jungles of tropical Africa and South America, or the dripping, moss covered Antarctic Beech forests of New Zealand, or across North America? We will take a photo safari of some of the places I have been working, and highlight my favorite mushrooms and ecosystems. |
11:15 am-12:15 pm | Christopher Hobbs, Ph.D.Magic Mushroom MicrodosingMagic mushroom microdosing is gaining global attention, with growing scientific research and personal testimonials highlighting its benefits for cognitive health, brain plasticity, neurogenesis, and enhancing brain immune function. This talk will explore the emerging science and practical applications of microdosing, led by a speaker with 40 years of experience. |
1:00 pm-2:00 pm | Thea ChesneyFungal Range Maps: How We Build Them and Why They MatterUnderstanding where an organism lives, and why, is an essential part of understanding its life history and ecology, yet we have been lacking in data for the geographic distribution of many fungi in our rapidly changing world. We will discuss the historical and current state of knowledge, as well as recent efforts to improve these data and discoveries that are both helping and sometimes confounding our understanding of fungal species distribution. |
2:45 pm-4:00 pm | Chad Hyatt and Jeff EmeryA Mushroom Tasting with Wine PairingChef Chad Hyatt will demonstrate his cooking techniques and his creations will be paired with exquisite wines provided by vintner Jeff Emery of Santa Cruz Mountain Vinyard. There will be a small extra fee to cover the cost of ingredients. All ages are welcome, but you must be over 21 to taste the wine. |
4:30 pm-5:30 pm | Christian SchwarzTwo Years of the California Fungal Diversity Study: What Have We Learned?Over the past two years, the CA FUNDIS organization has undertaken a remarkable effort to get to know the mushrooms of California more deeply. We’ll talk about the results of this effort by reviewing some of some of the discoveries made by this dedicated crew, and talk about how this non-profit organization has accomplished so much in such a short time. We’ll end by discussing how you can help support us, or even get involved directly. You’ll come away with a sneak peek at some cutting-edge knowledge about the mushrooms in our amazing state… |
Room 1 Open Talks
Fungus Fair General Admission stamp required (no additional fee).
These talks have no advance reservations; they're first come, first served.
Friday, January 10, 2025
2:30 pm-3:30pm | Chef Bob WynnTips and Techniques for Cooking with Mushrooms |
4:00 pm-5:00 pm | Phil CarpenterAn Introduction to Mushroom Identification |
Saturday, January 11, 2025
10:00 am-11:00 am | Vellany PierceAn Introduction to Mushroom Cultivation |
11:30 am-12:30 pm | Henry YoungA Discussion of Poisonous Mushrooms |
1:00 pm-2:00 pm | Douglas SmithTop Ten Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms |
2:30 pm-3:30 pm | Shannon AdamsFrom Saucepan to Science: Foraging, Feasting and Phylogeny |
4:00 pm-5:00 pm | Phil CarpenterAn Introduction to Mushroom Identification |
Sunday, January 12, 2025
10:00 am-11:00 am | Alan RockefellerDecoding the Forest Floor: The Art of Mushroom Recognition |
11:30 am-12:30 pm | Bill SchoenbartMedicinal Mushrooms – Traditional Usage and Modern Science |
1:00 pm-2:00 pm | Douglas SmithCommon Mushrooms of the San Francisco Bay Area |
2:30 pm-3:30 pm | Phil CarpenterAn Introduction to Mushroom Identification |
4:00 pm-5:00 pm | Kyle GarroneMushroom Cultivation |


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