Image Of LCC's Mushroom Biology booth
On Oct. 27, students enrolled in Lane Community College’s popular Mushroom Biology 102 course had the chance to participate in the annual Mount Pisgah Arboretum Mushroom Festival, a longstanding tradition in the Eugene area.
This marks the 43rd year that LCC has partnered with the Mount Pisgah Arboretum and the 25th year that the Cascade Mycological Society has joined as a key collaborator. This trio of organizations works tirelessly each fall to deliver a festival experience that educates, excites, and enriches the local community’s understanding of mycology — the scientific study of fungi.
For Mushroom Biology 102 students, the festival provides a hands-on learning experience that supplements their classroom studies. Over 40 students from Susie Holmes’ morning and afternoon sections of Mushroom Biology 102 volunteered at the event, setting up displays, answering questions and sharing their newfound mushroom knowledge with attendees.
Mushroom Biology 102 requires no prerequisites, which opens the course to various students, from curious enthusiasts to STEM majors. This diversity of backgrounds contributes to a rich learning environment where students from all walks of life come together to explore the world of fungi.
Student Liv Lyons said, “Mushrooms are great! I am an art major but I just find mushrooms incredibly fascinating,” whenasked why she chose to be enrolled in this class.
Lyons along with her classmates, spent hours engaging with visitors, offering insights into mushroom anatomy, habitat, and classification. The booth featured a collection of mushroom specimens provided by the Cascade Mycological Society and microscopes that allowed guests to view mushroom spores up close.
The partnership between LCC and the arboretum dates back to the festival’s inception 43 years ago when it was initiated by Lane’s biology department under the guidance of the late Freeman Rowe. Holmes, who was once a student in Rowe’s Mushroom Biology class and former assistant, now carries on his legacy as the course’s primary instructor, according to the Cascade Mycological Society website.
One of the festival’s highlights was the opportunity for students and attendees to meet authors who have written extensively about mushrooms and mycology.
Several notable authors signed copies of their books, also used as part of the Mushroom Biology 102 curriculum. For students, this was an exciting chance to interact with experts in the field, ask questions, and gain insights beyond the classroom.
In addition to the educational booths, the festival offered a range of activities and attractions for all ages. Thousands of attendees flocked to the event, which celebrates fungi and the broader natural environment of the Pacific Northwest. Vendors included artists, mushroom enthusiasts, nature schools, and local businesses, each contributing to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere. From mushroom-inspired art to sustainably foraged fungi, the marketplace offered something for everyone.
Activities throughout the day ranged from truffle-sniffing demonstrations to guided nature walks, which explored the Cascades’ diverse plant and fungal life. Families enjoyed hayrides through the arboretum grounds, and children were delighted by interactive displays and hands-on activities that allowed them to learn about mushrooms in a fun and engaging way. The Cascade Mycological Society offers memberships at a special student rate of just $15, encouraging young people to continue their exploration of mycology beyond the festival.
The students work alongside experienced mycologists to apply their classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, hone their communication skills and expand their scientific understanding. Student volunteers played a role in making the event a success, setting up displays, helping identify mushrooms, and helping with cleanup after the event. As they interacted with festival attendees, they gained confidence and a sense of accomplishment, knowing they had contributed to an important community event.
As the festival concluded, organizers and students reflected on the event’s impact. For attendees, it was a day filled with discovery, fun, and a new appreciation for mushrooms and their ecological importance. It was a valuable opportunity for the Mushroom Biology 102 students to bridge the gap between academic learning and community engagement.
For more information on how to get started with the Cascade Mycological Society as a student, please visit: https://cascademyco.org/
Writer Kat Tabor is a part of the Mushroom Biology 102 course at Lane Community College.
