Introduction to Mushrooms in Rocky Mountain National Park

Explore the incredible world of mushrooms in this introductory-level course in Rocky Mountain National Park. This class begins with a two-hour lecture covering the basics of fungal biology, ecology, and identification, followed by a guided field trip to observe mushrooms in their natural habitats. This program focuses on appreciating fungi, making it perfect for nature enthusiasts and curious learners eager to deepen their understanding of the park's unique ecosystems.

Who: Participants ages 16 and up.

Program level: Moderate – These programs are most appropriate for those with some hiking experience. Expect to travel 1 to 2 miles over the course of the program and to be on your feet for several hours at a time. Participants should be comfortable navigating both maintained trails and unmaintained meadows or wooded areas. Transportation will be in a 15-passenger van with bench seats and a narrow aisle that requires stepping up to enter. Prior experience hiking or walking above 8,000 feet is recommended.

This program has a classroom session and a field session.

When: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 from 9:00am to 3:00pm

Where: Meet at the Grand Lake Center (301 Marina Dr, Grand Lake, CO 80447) and travel together to various locations within RMNP in Conservancy vehicles. All required fees and permits for park entry are included in your registration.

What to Bring:

• 10 Essentials for Field Institute Courses.

About Your Instructor: Ed Lubow has been hunting and studying mushrooms since the 1970s and has been a volunteer in the Sam Mitchel Herbarium of Fungi at Denver Botanic Gardens (DBG) since 2008. He has been active with the Colorado Mycological Society since the late 1980s and has been president of that organization twice. He has been the instructor for Basic Mushroom Identification at DBG since 2016. He has been a mycology consultant for the Rocky Mountain Poison Center for many years and teaches their annual course for Emergency Medicine and Toxicology residents.

Refund Policy:

Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to the start of the course are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations made fewer than 30 days in advance are not eligible for a refund.

Our programs proceed rain or shine, and participants should be prepared for inclement weather. However, should we decide to cancel a program due to unsafe weather or emergency conditions, we will notify participants by email and automatically issue full refunds.

Conservancy members get 10% off individual registration when you use the discount code in your membership email!

Not a member of the Conservancy? Learn more and join here: Conservancy Membership

If you have questions about this course, please contact the Field Institute by email at education@RMConservancy.org or by phone at 970-586-3262.