Illinois Mycological Association

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The Illinois Mycological Association is dedicated to promoting mycology among members and the public. The IMA is a mushroom-hunting club that gets together several times a month to go on forays to look for mushrooms. Also, once a month, we have a sit-down evening meeting for a program, some socializing, and discussion of fungi. There are also special events from time to time, such as our annual dinner, special guest speakers, and so on.

Monthly Meetings

The IMA meets at 7:30 PM at the North Park Village Nature Center on the first Monday of each month and the first Tuesday in September. No meetings in January, February or July. A few meetings are held at Lake Katherine Nature Center.

North Park Village Nature Center is located at 5801 North Pulaski in Chicago, which is east of Interstate 94 (Eden's Expressway) between Foster and Peterson. There is a stoplight at the entrance where you will turn east and follow the signs going left all the way back to the meeting site. Parking is free across the driveway from the Nature Center, which has a demonstration prairie growing in front.

At our meetings, we typically have an expert talking about some aspect of mycology. The highlight of the December meeting is where our members show slides of mushrooms they have found during the year.

Specimen Table

The specimen table is an essential part of every meeting. Members bring fresh found fungi for identification and show and tell. Like forays, this is a good time to learn about different species and where and when they are found.

Forays

During the mushroom season -- mid April to early November -- IMA conducts frequent mushroom hunting forays, most often in the Chicagoland area, but sometimes we venture farther afield for choice locations.

We gather at a predetermined site and venture into the woods to collect samples of mushrooms and gather edibles (where permitted). We return to our meeting point to lay out our mushrooms for identification and discussion.

If you are new to mushrooming, IMA members will show you how and where to look, how to identify your finds and how to use reference books to classify them. We will point out the best edible mushrooms and how to distinguish them from similar, unpalatable or poisonous fungi.

Even if you are an experienced mushroomer, you will meet people who share your interests and expand your knowledge of mycology. As a result, you may add new edibles to the ones you normally hunt, learn about new areas to find your favorites and add to your circle of fungi friends.