Master mushroom basics at nature preserve

EAST LEWISTON — Walt Sturgeon will present a program on mushrooms at the Beaver Township Nature Preserve at 2 p.m. Saturday. Attendees will have a chance to search for mushrooms at the preserve, which is off state Route 165. There will also be a lesson in identification of various mushrooms at the open-air pavilion. “I’m not sure what all we’ll find in this park,” Sturgeon said.

The East Palestine man, who has been studying mushrooms for some 30 years, noted that once you find them, it’s important to be able to identify the mushrooms. Sturgeon said there are at least 1,000 varieties of mushrooms native to the area.

“Some are edible; some aren’t. A lot are poisonous, and a few are deadly. Some smell sweet; some are hotter than a hot pepper,” he said.

For at least 28 years, Sturgeon has shared his expertise about the fabulous fungi with other folks across the country. Sturgeon’s discussion will be the final presentation of Beaver Township’s Nature Preserve Educational Series this summer. Admission is free. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and to wear comfortable walking shoes or boots. For more information, call the Beaver Township Park Board at (330) 549-9552.