Join Dr. Joe Ammirati for a nature walk in Bridle Trails State Park on October 21st or 28th. Learn about the natural history of the park from an exceptional field naturalist. Explore the diversity of fungi in the park’s forest, and learn how to identify them from one of the region’s leading experts. Learn the names of different fungi, the important roles they play in forest ecosystems, and how fungi contribute to overall biological diversity.

How are woodpeckers dependent on fungi? Is wood rot a bad thing in a forest? Why is rotting wood a good thing in a forest? What causes forest gaps? What are those slimy things on logs, and what are they doing? Are there fungi that help plants grow? What about plant parasites?

Joins us, and get answers to those questions and more. You will be surprised at just how important fungi are to the health and functioning of ecosystems.

Dr. Joe Ammirati is Professor of Biology at the University of Washington.

He has more than three decades of experience studying and teaching about fungi.

Dr. Ammirati has published numerous scientific articles and is one of the authors of the New Savory Wild Mushroom.

He and Dr. Steve Trudell are just starting another book on fungi of the region.

When:

The trip will start at the main entrance to Bridle Trails State Park, on 116th Avenue NE at about NE 53rd Street. Take Exit 17 off I-405 (NE 70th Place), turn south onto 116th Avenue (just east of 405), and travel south about 1/2 mile to the park entrance. Map and Directions >>

Parking is available for free in the parking lot.