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I am honored to seek re-election to the Wisconsin Mycological Society Board of Directors, having deeply valued the opportunity to grow our collective “hyphae” and serve our community over the past two years. I believe I have more to offer to continue building on the growth and legacy of WMS. My focus remains on action-oriented collaboration and nurturing connections between our members, the board, and the wider Wisconsin community.

Recent Contributions
As Founding Co-Chair of Conservation and Stewardship, I worked with our team to deliver tangible results:
  • Curriculum Development: Partnered with education specialists and the board to create and integrate foundational STEM curriculum focused on mycology, laying the groundwork for expanding fungal science education in Wisconsin.
  • Stakeholder Partnerships: Initiated and strengthened collaborations with key Wisconsin stakeholders to broaden our conservation reach through joint outreach efforts.
  • Inclusion & Acknowledgment: Collaborated with the Governance Committee to incorporate a formal Land Acknowledgment into WMS practices, modeling inclusion and honoring history.
  • Educational Resources: Contributed specimens to our freeze-dried fungi collection, supported development of WMS key cards, organized invasive species educational tools, and offered lectures and workshops with an ecological focus.
As Co-Chair of Marketing and an active member of the Events and Governance Committees, I worked to enhance outreach and communication. I was also honored to serve as Foray Director for this year’s Northwoods retreat, fostering deeper knowledge and camaraderie among members.

Vision for the Next Term
If re-elected, I will focus on:
  • Onboarding & Support: Developing a streamlined onboarding system for new board members and volunteers.
  • Accessible Engagement: Facilitating and incorporating user-friendly systems for remote and in-person learning and participation.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Expanding collaborations with stakeholders dedicated to Wisconsin’s native bioheritage.
I humbly ask for your vote to continue serving WMS for a third term and to strengthen the connections—our “hyphae”—that unite us.

About Emilymae King-Ryden
Emilymae King is Program Director at Terri’s Treehouse Early Learning Outdoor Immersion Center, and President of Elemental Roots E.D.U. an non-profit outdoor school, where she has spent 20  years nurturing children, mentoring educators, and cultivating a nature-based, play-centered learning environment. Under her leadership, the center has grown into a 5-star rated, NAEYC-accredited hub for outdoor immersion and developmentally appropriate practice.
Her credentials include an Early Childhood Technical Diploma, Administrator’s Credential, Adult-Learner Training Certification and certifications in Working with Children and Nature along with Forest & Nature Therapy through ANFT. She has studied at Nicolet Area Technical College, UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, NWTC, and the University of Pacifica, and is currently at NWTC in the field of education, complemented by over 1,000 hours of training in psychology, survival, health, safety, nutrition, and ecology.
Beyond early education, Emilymae is a Group Fitness Instructor, ordained officiant, and frequent presenter at workshops and retreats. She teaches foraging, herbalism, and mushroom identification at Nicolet Area Technical College and founded Flora and Mycology of the Northwoods and Maecylium Momentos, initiatives promoting ethical foraging and outdoor education. She also supports her local Foraging Club, Northstate Mycological Club in the Northwoods.
At home on Minocqua Island, Emilymae lives with her husband, four children, dog, honeybees, and chickens. She is on a mission to explore all 1,000 local lakes—currently at Lake 462—while advocating for the protection of the Northwoods’ natural resources. Her philosophy: “It takes a village to raise a resourceful family and a thriving community.”