About Vancouver Mycological Society

The VMS is a group of individuals who share a common interest in mushrooms and fungi. There seems to be as many different approaches to enjoying the humble fungus as there are different people. Some like photography or that nice combo interest of Mycology and travel. There are mushrooms all over the world and at our regular monthly meetings, we have had guest speakers give veritable travel slide shows of holidaying fungi! Stamp collecting, drawing, painting, poetry, song, dance. Okay maybe we are pushing the envelope a little here but you get the drift. Many ways to appreciate the mushrooms. Learning about the structure of mushrooms, the common names and the scientific names as well as which ones make good eating is all part of the clubs activities. The path of mycological development might be: interest ? followed by enthusiasm ? followed by learning ? followed by forays and collecting ? followed by dinner!
   
The Vancouver Mycological Society
#101 - 1001 West Broadway
Box 181
Vancouver, BC Canada V6H 4E4		 VMS - Vancouver BC Canada
info@vanmyco.com
     
What does VMS actually do?
  • Conducts monthly meetings, often with with a guest speaker. Meetings are held on the (change for 2010) 2nd Tuesday of every month (excluding , January, July, and August) in the Floral Hall of the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens, Oak & 37th Avenue, 7:30 pm.
  • Holds weekend forays led by knowledgeable club members.
  • Organizes overnight field trips in mushroom season.
  • Hosts the annual Vancouver Mushroom Show.
  • Produces a quarterly newsletter called the Mycofile.
  • Provides access to VMS library.
  • Coordinates an annual Survivor's Banquet - Potluck dinner at VanDusen.
  • Provides you with another line to include in the “other interests” on your resume.
  • Creates an opportunity to get involved in leading, identifying and socializing where the mushroom is the common denominator!
.:: Brief History ::.

The lower mainland of British Columbia which surrounds Vancouver is home to some of the most most diverse forms of fungi found anywhere in the world.
The first Mushroom Fair in the Vancouver area was held at the VanDusen Botanical Gardens in 1975. It was a great success and its organizer, Kitsy Fraser, decided to make the Fair an annual event. By 1978, the Fairs became so popular that it was suggested a mushroom club be formed. Hence, at the 1978 Fair in October, people interested in forming a mushroom club were asked to sign up. The first Vancouver Mycological Society (VMS) meeting was held on November 7, 1978, and an executive was elected. Continuing the tradition, the first VMS Mushroom Show was held on October 17, 1979. Since then, many people of different nationalities and backgrounds have joined the club, including mushroom farmers, professional mycologists, gourmet cooks, and a variety of eccentric characters.
 
Meetings
Regular VMS meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month (except December, January, July and August) at the VanDusen Botanical Gardens - Classroom, Oak & 37th Avenue, 7:30 pm. Meetings are fairly casual with 30 to 50 people of all ages in attendance. Bring your fresh fungi finds in for show and tell. Excitement is in the air that only a mushroom-lover can appreciate!
Call the Mushroom Hotline (recorded message) at 604-878-9878 for more details on the program for each meeting.
Cost of membership is:
Students/Seniors - $15, Adults - $20, & Families - $25.

Prospective members and guests are welcome to attend a limited number of meetings.

Driving? There's lots of free parking at the building.
Taking Transit? Use the Oak Street bus #17 (visit the Translink website for routes, schedules, etc.).
  Officers
  President: Brian Didier
  Vice-president: Paul Kroeger
  Treasurer: Matt Jordan
  Co Treasurer:  
  Secretary: Nadine Lihach
   
  Board Members
  Daryl Thompson
  Bob Kendrick
  Chris Matolcsy
  Anne Leathem
  Brooke Fochuk
  Leanne Gallon
  Mike Gravnic
  James Holkko
  John Switzer
  Commitees
  Library: Jim Flight
  Newsletter: Mike Gravnic
  Hospitality, health and welfare: Victoria D'Ambroise
  Toxicology: Paul Kroeger, Anne Leathem
  Survivor's banquet: Bob & Rae Kendrick
  Education: Kent Brothers
  Hot Line: Juliet Pendray
  Book Sales Matt Jordan
  Fall Foray Sharmin Gamiet
  Website: Brian Didier
  Forays: Paul Kroeger
  Mushroom show: Anne Leathem, Silvia Birgersen,&Brooke Fochuk
  Archives: Augustino Armellini
  Membership
  Individual $20.00 per annum
  Family $25.00 per annum
  Student $15.00 per annum
  Senior $15.00 per annum
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