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Mushroom Walks and Talks

Home Mushroom Walks and Talks
Jonathan helps the Boston Mycological Club champion fungi at the annual I [HEART] Science program at The Harvard Museum of Natural History. Photo credit: (c) Tony Rinaldo

Experience the magic of mushrooms:

Mushroom Walks and Talks in Massachusetts

They’re all over the web, all over the news, and if you’re lucky (and in the right season), all over your local woodlands.

They’re mushrooms, the mysterious eruptions from an otherwise hidden world of life and death. When they emerge, they can delight us with beautiful colors, strange shapes, and curious aromas.

Enrich your curiosity by going more deeply into the mystery. Join me, Jonathan Kranz, on guided mushroom walks or entertaining mushroom talks in which we explore the joys and hazards of the fungus among us, discovering:

  • Which mushrooms are safe to eat and how to find, collect, and prepare them
  • How to identify and avoid the most dangerous toxic mushrooms in our region
  • The secrets to using sight, scent, and context to identify your mushroom finds
  • The strange ways mushrooms live and the vital, hidden roles they play in our habitats
  • Unexpected surprises: we’ll always find and discuss delightful natural wonders that are impossible to predict in advance
People are talking!

“As a library, we’re obligated to create programming that meets a wide variety of patron interests. Kids and adults, experienced naturalists and curious amateurs – everyone is delighted by Jonathan’s explorations into the world of mushrooms. The content is deep, the experience fun, and the feedback consistent: ‘Bring Jonathan back!’”

Barbara Cheeks, Head of Adult Services, Ayer Library

“Jonathan led one of the most unique, requested and well-attended programs Borderland State Park has seen in quite some time. He took the time to expertly compare and explain a wealth of different types of mushrooms and how they impact our ecosystem. For the entire three-hour program, the attendees of all ages were fascinated and engaged. Looking forward to welcoming him back year over year!

Andrew Buckley, DCR Ranger, Borderland State Park

“Jonathan’s passion for mushrooms and foraging is truly inspiring! He combines extensive knowledge with a contagious enthusiasm that makes learning fun and engaging. His approachable, humorous teaching style ensures that foragers feel both confident and entertained, while his emphasis on proper identification highlights his commitment to safety and responsible foraging. Highly recommended!”

Sarah Barrow, Program Manager, Beaver Brook Association

Schedule your own walk or talk 

I’m Jonathan Kranz, a mushroom enthusiast, former park ranger (Boston Harbor Islands), and current vice president of the Boston Mycological Club, the oldest amateur mushroom club in North America. I lead mushroom walks and talks that bring the wonder of mushrooms to curious crowds of all ages and interests in Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.

Walks for the mushroom hunting season (July through October):

Two to three-hour outdoor excursions on your property (or other properties with permission). My walk and talks cover the basics of mushroom habits, identification, and ecology, and help prepare participants for safe, exciting forages of their own.* (Limited to up to 30 people/walk.) Fee: $400

Talks for either the in-season or the off-season (November through June):

One to one-and-a-half hour indoor presentations on mushrooms: what they are, how they live, why they’re fascinating. My talk covers the basics of fungal life with insights on foraging for food and avoiding toxics, and a special emphasis on common mushrooms participants are likely to find in their neck of New England. Fee: $300

To secure a date or learn more about my mushroom programming, please contact me at jonkranz@kranzcom.com, or call me directly at (978) 391-4595. I look forward to collaborating with you on mushroom activities your guests will talk about for years.

*Note: What we find depends on what’s out there, weather and climate permitting. Please take common sense precautions against insects (e.g., mosquitoes and ticks), poison ivy, and sunburn.

Coming engagements:

  • April 29, 2025: East Longmeadow Library, mushroom talk
  • May 8, 2025: Robertson Memorial Library, mushroom talk
  • May 10, 2025: Haverhill Public Library, mushroom talk
  • May 14, 2025: Chelmsford Public Library, mushroom talk
  • May 20, 2025: Haverhill Public Library, mushroom talk
  • May 21, 2025: AMC, Worcester Chapter, mushroom talk
  • May 22, 2025: Fiske Public Library, mushroom talk
  • May 29, 2025: Gladys E. Kelly Public Library, mushroom talk
  • June 3, 2025: Newburyport Public Library, mushroom talk
  • June 5, 2025: Hopkinton Public Library, mushroom talk
  • June 7, 2025: Thayer Memorial Library, mushroom talk
  • June 12, 2025: Fitchburg Public Library, mushroom talk
  • June 14, 2025: Turner Free Library, mushroom talk
  • July 13, 2025: Littleton Conservation Trust, mushroom walk
  • July 23, 2025: Townsend Public Library, mushroom walk
  • July 26, 2025: Westwood Public Library, mushroom walk
  • July 31, 2025: Edwards Public Library, mushroom talk
  • August 2, 2025: Wendell Free Library, mushroom walk
  • August 16, 2025: Medford Public Library, mushroom walk
  • August 17, 2025: Seekonk Land Trust, mushroom walk
  • August 23, 2025: Borderland State Park, mushroom walk
  • August 24, 2025: New Marlborough Land Trust, mushroom walk
  • September 4, 2025: Beaver Brook Association, mushroom walk
  • September 6, 2025: Ashby Free Public Library, mushroom walk
  • September 13, 2025: North County Land Trust, mushroom walk
  • September 20, 2025: Beaver Brook Association, mushroom walk
  • September 24, 2025, Townsend Public Library, mushroom talk
  • September 27, 2025: Ayer Library, mushroom walk
  • October 11, 2025: Hopkinton Area Land Trust, mushroom walk
  • October 12, 2025: Ashburnham Conservation Trust/Stevens Memorial Library, mushroom walk
  • October 18, 2025: Concord Library, Fowler Branch, mushroom walk
  • October 19, 2025: Southborough Open Land Foundation, mushroom walk
  • October 25, 2025: Groton Conservation Trust/Groton Public Library, mushroom walk
  • November 5, 2025: North Adams Public Library, mushroom talk
  • November 8, 2025: West Springfield Public Library, mushroom talk

Previous engagements:

  • April 17, 2025: Gale Free Library, mushroom talk
  • April 10, 2025: Lynnfield Public Library, mushroom talk
  • April 2, 2025: Northeastern University Outing Club, mushroom talk
  • March 26, 2025: Southwick Land Trust, mushroom talk
  • March 22, 2025:, Clapp Memorial Library, mushroom talk
  • March 20, 2025: Waltham Public Library, mushroom talk
  • March 15, 2025: Ashburnham Conservation Trust, mushroom talk
  • March 13, 2025: Salisbury Public LIbrary, mushroom talk
  • March 11, 2025: National Association for Interpretation, Northeast Region, Monthly Chowdah Chat: Storytelling for Interpreters
  • February 13, 2025: Beaver Brook Association, mushroom talk
  • February 8, 2025: Harvard Museum of Natural Science, I [HEART] Science program, helped BMC staff fungi educational/engagement table
  • November 9, 2024: Mass Audubon, Field Naturalist Certification Program, led interpretive training program
  • October 27, 2024: PVMA, Federation of Women’s Clubs State Forest, mushroom walk
  • October 26, 2024: Opacum Land Trust, Dingley Dell, mushroom walk
  • October 19, 2024: Bigelow Library, Rauscher Farm, mushroom walk
  • September 8, 2024: BMC, Daniels Farm, mushroom walk
  • September 7, 2024: PVMA, Swift River Reservation, mushroom walk
  • August 31, 2024: Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH, mushroom walk
  • August 24, 2024: DCR, Borderland State Park, North Easton, mushroom walk
  • August 18, 2024: BMC, Rome Conservation Area, Gardner, mushroom walk
  • August 4, 2024: BMC, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH, mushroom walk
  • August 3, 2024: PVMA, Quabbin Gate 15, mushroom walk
  • July 2, 2024: Mass Audubon, Field Naturalist Certification Program, led Storytelling for Natural Interpretationwebinar/workshop
  • June 22, 2024: Mass Audubon, Field Naturalist Certification Program, led interpretive training program
  • June 8, 2024: BMC, walk leader training
  • February 10, 2024: Harvard Museum of Natural Science, I [HEART] Science program, helped BMC staff fungi educational/engagement table
  • October 28, 2023: PVMA, Federation of Women’s Clubs State Forest, mushroom walk
  • October 14, 2023: Ayer Library, mushroom talk/presentation
  • October 7, 2023: PVMA, Brooks Woodland Preserve, Petersham, mushroom walk
  • October 1, 2023: BMC, Nara Park/Wells Hole, Acton, mushroom walk
  • September 24, 2023: BMC, Harvard Forest, Petersham, mushroom walk coleader
  • September 19, 2023: Mass Audubon, Magic of Mushrooms webinar/presentation
  • September 3, 2023: PVMA, Wendell State Forest, mushroom walk
  • August 20, 2023: BMC, Rauscher Farm, mushroom walk coleader
  • August 19, 2023: PVMA, Swift River Reservation, mushroom walk
  • July 30, 2023: BMC, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH, mushroom walk
  • July 29, 2023: Ayer Library, Pine Meadow Conservation Area, mushroom walk
  • July 23, 2023: BMC, Daniels Farm, mushroom walk coleader
  • July 15, 2023: Ayer Library, children’s mushroom talk/program
  • February 11, 2023: Harvard Museum of Natural Science, I [HEART] Science program, helped BMC staff fungi educational/engagement table

To secure a date or learn more about my mushroom programming, please contact me at jonkranz@kranzcom.com, or call me directly at (978) 391-4595.

Jonathan in the media

 

March 25, 2025: Fun fungi with naturalist Jonathan Kranz

March 24, 2025: Southwick Land Trust debuts free lecture series with ‘Mushrooms, Mushrooms, Mushrooms!’ on March 26, 2025

March 21, 2025: WWLP, “Mass Appeal”: “The Good, The Bad, and the Deadly”

August 20, 2023: Cambridge Day

August 25, 2023: Clinton Item: Rauscher Farm helps participants name that mushroom

March 1, 2023: I [HEART] Science at Harvard

October 21, 2022: Acton Conservation Trust

Evergreen: BMC, A Fun Guide to Fungi

© 2009-2017. Jonathan Kranz. All Rights Reserved.