JOHN PLISCHKE III AWARD FOR MUSHROOM KNOWLEDGE OR THE BUTTON ID PROGRAM.
OBJECTIVES OF THE BUTTON ID PROGRAM
- Have fun learning new mushrooms
- Get members started identifying mushrooms
- Reward them as they make progress
- Get more club Identifiers & Mycologists
- Motivate Members to document mushrooms they know for scientific research and observation
STATUS OF THE PROGRAM
- Started in 2009
- Buttons have been made for a variety of levels (kids, 10, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, etc.) and include expert levels like mycologist and identifier. Additional buttons also exist for club specialists.
- Club Members will develop & maintain their own lists of mushrooms on iNaturalist.
PICKING MUSHROOMS TO EAT REQUIRES BEING 100% CERTAIN OF THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE MUSHROOMS INVOLVED. THOSE EATING WILD MUSHROOMS MUST TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MUSHROOMS THEY EAT.
SUBMISSION FOR BUTTONS
- Lists must be created on iNaturalist. Paper or excel lists are no longer accepted lists.
- Mushroom observations on iNaturalist should include a location (even if general) and must include photographs. When photographing mushrooms, be sure to take multiple photos and include images of the underside of the mushroom or the spore bearing surface. Note what the mushroom is growing on and surrounding trees if possible.
- All mushrooms observations, regardless of button number, must be to the species level and must be research grade to count towards your species list. “Research Grade” means club or iNaturalist member, mycologist or identifier agree on the ID of your mushroom.
- Kids buttons can be awarded to any child with an interest in mushrooms!
- When you have reached the appropriate level (i.e. 50, 75, 100, 150), submit your list to the Button ID Chair Julie Travaglini at ButtonID. Lists can be downloaded from iNaturalist or you can send Julie a link to your iNaturalist profile.
- Your button can be awarded at the next Mushroom Club Meeting or mailed to you. Please include a photo of yourself if you would like included in the next meeting slides and newsletter.
If you have questions about how to participate in the Button ID Program, please feel free to bring them to any WPMC Identifier or member of the Button Program Committee. Remember the goal is to have an enjoyable experience as you learn to identify more and more mushrooms.
CLUB MYCOLOGIST & IDENTIFIERS
- Club mycologist & identifiers are human and volunteer their services. They can be identified by a red rimmed button stating they are an identifier or mycologist with the club.
- With more than 3,000 species estimated to be in PA, it is impossible to know them all! They may not know every mushroom on a walk and are still learning themselves.
- They are free to pass on certifying specific mushrooms for the purpose of eating or ingesting.
- Mushroom identification can be complex.
Updated August 2024
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