The Olympic Peninsula Mycological Society (OPMS) is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to learning about and enjoying wild mushrooms and their environments. It was originally founded in 1977 as the Jefferson County Mycological Society.
Now, most members are from Jefferson and Clallam counties in Washington State, from Brinnon to Port Angeles, but the society is open to anyone. OPMS holds six meetings during the year to discuss business and wild mushrooms. Usually there is a guest speaker for a specific topic, but sometimes the meetings are devoted to hands-on identification of specimens that members bring to the meeting.
The November meeting is devoted to mushroom preparation and cooking demonstrations. Meetings alternate between the Tri-Area Community Center in Chimacum and the Gardiner Community Center.
In addition to the six meetings, OPMS conducts at least two forays for wild mushrooms for its members each year. In the spring we go into the Cascade Mountains in search of black morels and other spring mushrooms (snow mushroom, pink-tipped coral, boletes). A second foray is in the fall to the eastern Olympic Mountains for golden chanterelles, russulas, boletes, hedgehogs, and matsutake (or the pine mushroom).
In October of each year, OPMS produces its annual Fall Wild Mushroom Show that is free and open to the public.
Annual dues are $15 per family or $10 per single person.
Currently, we have about 170 members.
OPMS produces at least two newsletters each year and usually six.
Upcoming Events
Pre-Chanterelle Foray Meeting; September 9
Gardiner Community Center
980 Old Gardiner Road,
Sequim, WA 98382
Doors open at 6:00 p. m.
The Board meeting will start at 6:00 PM sharp.
Mushroom identification begins at 6:30.
The meeting starts at 7:00.
Members are invited to attend the board meeting.
If you have something for the agenda please send it to the OPMS President two days before the meeting.
Chanterelle Forays
OPMS and our sister clubs forage for chanterelles every fall, usually on the slopes of the Olympic Mountains.
As always, our "scouts" will keep an eye on the mushrooms and report back.
The time and place will be announced by e-mail or newsletter.
In addition to our club foray, members make many excursions into the mountains in small groups. OPMS Board members and experienced foragers are encouraged to invite new members to join these hunts. Lists are available (to OPMS members only) that can be sorted by zip code or town names. They may be acquired from any board member. Shirley Andersen compiles and updates the list. You will find contact information in your OPMS Newsletter. If you are a new member, don't hesitate to contact experienced mushroom hunters in your area. Introduce yourself and ask to be included in upcoming informal forays. Most OPMS members are happy to share their knowledge. This organization exists for this purpose. Have fun, but don't take chances.
Our November meeting includes cooking demonstrations and tasting.
This meeting is open to members only. Officers and board members will be elected.
OPMS 2009 Wild Mushroom Show
The OPMS fall mushroom show is scheduled to be held on Sunday, the 18th of October, from noon to 4:00 pm at the Art Building at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Port Townsend. The moss foray will be on Friday, the 16th, and field trips to collect mushrooms for the show will be on Saturday, the 17th of October. Show setup will be Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, with a potluck to follow from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. We can also set up on
Sunday from 9 am to noon.
Would you like to join OPMS? If so, download the OPMS membership form, fill it in, write a check and send it in.
Mycological Societies
For more information write:
O.P.M.S.
P. O. Box 33
Chimacum, WA 98325
You can contact OPMS by e-mail at this address:
