Mariah first studied fungi in-depth during the 'capstone' project of her Biology degree at Ripon College. This was a literature review on bioremediation of hydrocarbons by fungi. In writing that paper, fungi were producers of enzymes capable of biochemically-interesting and ecologically-useful feats to her. She later has gotten know them each by name, in-person on the trail with the Wisconsin Mycological Society.
At the first WMS meeting Mariah attended, Alden Dirks presented on the relative lack of conservation efforts for fungi and how community science survey projects can bring fungi out of obscurity and guide our efforts to respect them and support their role in the ecosystem. After that presentation Mariah joined iNaturalist and began documenting the fungi she found.
Mariah joined the Board in 2020 after she and her sister, Leah, reached out to the WMS Board about using iNaturalist projects and Zoom presentations to remotely connect members of the Society. She has continued on the Board to this day, taking on the role of Vice President, Secretary and now President over the years.
All WMS projects on iNaturalist are listed here. We have many years of virtual forays now, 2020 - 2021 - 2022 - 2023 - 2024 - 2025. (If you would like help getting started, please reach out to her through contact info provided at the end of this page, or contact her on iNaturalist on through the messages!) Beyond the yearly 'virtual forays' we have a project just for Slime Molds (not fungi but we love them), a project you can add observations to document non-fungi interacting with fungi, a new one for mitospore mats, a place to just look at all Wisconsin fungi, and a growing list of truffle-forming fungi found in our region.
As of Fall 2024 Mariah is pursuing a M.Sc. degree in Biology, focusing on mycology, at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse in the lab of Dr. Arthur Grupe. She is investigating the native truffle-forming fungi in the Midwest of North America by creating a species inventory and is working on documenting and describing at least one new species in the genus Tuber from a type specimen found in northern WI by her fellow WMS board member, Arne Martinson. Her intention is to continue in mycology in a Ph.D. program after graduating with her Master's degree and to stay in Wisconsin as a mycologist focusing on our local fungi and celebrating everything fun and fungal with the people of Wisconsin.
Most of all Mariah loves meeting and learning with all her lichenminded trail friends. Please do reach out to her with your mycological questions and curiosities!
At the first WMS meeting Mariah attended, Alden Dirks presented on the relative lack of conservation efforts for fungi and how community science survey projects can bring fungi out of obscurity and guide our efforts to respect them and support their role in the ecosystem. After that presentation Mariah joined iNaturalist and began documenting the fungi she found.
Mariah joined the Board in 2020 after she and her sister, Leah, reached out to the WMS Board about using iNaturalist projects and Zoom presentations to remotely connect members of the Society. She has continued on the Board to this day, taking on the role of Vice President, Secretary and now President over the years.
All WMS projects on iNaturalist are listed here. We have many years of virtual forays now, 2020 - 2021 - 2022 - 2023 - 2024 - 2025. (If you would like help getting started, please reach out to her through contact info provided at the end of this page, or contact her on iNaturalist on through the messages!) Beyond the yearly 'virtual forays' we have a project just for Slime Molds (not fungi but we love them), a project you can add observations to document non-fungi interacting with fungi, a new one for mitospore mats, a place to just look at all Wisconsin fungi, and a growing list of truffle-forming fungi found in our region.
As of Fall 2024 Mariah is pursuing a M.Sc. degree in Biology, focusing on mycology, at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse in the lab of Dr. Arthur Grupe. She is investigating the native truffle-forming fungi in the Midwest of North America by creating a species inventory and is working on documenting and describing at least one new species in the genus Tuber from a type specimen found in northern WI by her fellow WMS board member, Arne Martinson. Her intention is to continue in mycology in a Ph.D. program after graduating with her Master's degree and to stay in Wisconsin as a mycologist focusing on our local fungi and celebrating everything fun and fungal with the people of Wisconsin.
Most of all Mariah loves meeting and learning with all her lichenminded trail friends. Please do reach out to her with your mycological questions and curiosities!
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If You Suspect a Poisoning
If you suspect you have consumed a poisonous mushroom, contact a physician, the closest hospital ER, poison control center, or dial 911, depending on the severity of the reaction. US Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 The North American Mycological Association (NAMA) has information that may also be of help. Click here. We do not ID mushrooms through this website.
If you are in need of an ID consider uploading quality photos with multiple views of your specimen and descriptions of your find to Mushroom Observer or iNaturalist including our projects or post in Wild Food Wisconsin or Mushroom Identification Group. If you contact us and provide a way to get back to you, we may be able to provide suggestions for more identification resources you can use. You are always responsible for your own decisions taken on the basis of identification resources. |
Wisconsin Mycological Society
Wisconsin Mycological Society (WMS) is dedicated to the study and enjoyment of mushrooms and other fungi throughout the state of Wisconsin. Education, safety, sustainability, community, and connecting with nature are our goals.
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