NAMA Educational Programs​

NAMA Spring Ramaria Exercise in Identification

Dr. Michael Beug – View Presentation | Download PowerPoint 

This 35-slide PowerPoint program is designed to be used as a workshop on using a dichotomous key and it can be used with or without the free Key Council Spring Ramaria key. There is no narration. The initial slides introduce the reader to important features to look for in identifying Ramaria species. Then in a series of images accompanied by Key fragments, the viewer is asked to identify a Ramaria using the key fragment. The viewer is guided step-by-step through the ID process, culminating for each species in a slide identifying the Ramaria.

Keying Pacific Northwest Polypores

Dr. Michael Beug – View Presentation

This 51-slide PowerPoint program is designed for a workshop on identifying polypores and requires each user to have a printed copy of the free Key Council Key to polypores (www.svims.ca/council/polypores.htm). There is no narration. The initial slides introduce the reader to important features to look for in identifying a polypore and describe the range of species covered by this program. Then in a series of slides, the first pair of images shows a polypore, often with a clue to its identification. The viewer is expected to use the key to try to figure out what polypore is illustrated. The second slide in each pair shows the polypore with the name included.

Using Kit Scates Easy Key

Dr. Michael Beug – Watch Presentation Video | Download Non-Narrated PowerPoint Updated 2022 | Guide (Word) | Kits Easy Key with Numerous Solved Examples Updated 2022

Updated 2015 – This 68-slide PowerPoint program & 44 minute video is designed to be used as a workshop on using Kit’s easy key to major genera of gilled mushrooms available from the Pacific Northwest Key Council. For order information see http://www.svims.ca/council/PNKC_Scates_Key_Policy.pdf. The presenters guide is provided to use in conjunction with the presentation, and also includes information on how to acquire the Kit Scates key.

Mushrooms, Forests and Other Ecosystems: An Introduction to Mushrooms and their Ecosystem Roles with Examples from the Pacific Northwest

Dr. Michael Beug, 45 minutes – View Presentation

The program is intended for use by clubs desiring an introductory program that deals with what fungi are and what environmental roles they play. The program contains many interesting mycological insights and is appropriate for the beginning audience.

Mushrooms of Idaho: In Memory of Orson Miller

Dr. Michael Beug, 40 minutes –  

This program was presented by Dr. Michael Beug at the NAMA National Foray in September of 2008 at McCall, Idaho. It provides an overview of some of the most distinctive mushrooms found in Idaho and honors Dr. Orson Miller, Kit Scates Barnhart, Ben Woo and Marie Bailey.

Guide to the Major Genera of Non-Gilled Mushrooms: Spine Fungi, Chanterelles, Teeth Fungi, Stink Horns, Jelly Fungi and More

Dr. Michael Beug, 59.4 minutes – Watch Video | Download Powerpoint (2022 update) | Guide (Word)

In this program I examine first a number of different fungi that bear their spores on spines and then the genera that bear their spores on folds or ridges on the underside of the cap and then we look at genera where the spores are borne in slime on the surface of the cap and finally genera where the fruit-bodies are jelly-like.

Guide to the Major Genera of Non-Gilled Mushrooms: Boletes and Polypores

Dr. Michael Beug, 64 minutes – Watch Video | Download PowerPoint

In this program I discuss the major genera of the boletes and polypores with an emphasis on mushrooms that are common and widespread but also including notable mushrooms of limited distribution.

Beyond Morels and Showy Spring Mushrooms: Guide to the Other Major Genera of Ascomycete Mushrooms

Dr. Michael Beug, 47 minutes – Watch Video | Download PowerPoint Updated 2022 |

This program is an introductory overview of the fleshy Ascomycetes not included in the program Morels and Other Spring Ascomycetes. I have illustrated both common widespread Ascomycete species and distinctive Ascomycetes of more localized distribution. I have also included a few distinctive Zygomycetes.

Guide to the Major Genera of Gilled Mushrooms: The Dark Spored Mushrooms II: Cortinariaceae 2, Strophariaceae, Psathyrellaceae and Some Gilled Boletales

Dr. Michael Beug, 50 minutes – Watch Video | Download PowerPoint Updated 2022 | Guide (Word)

This program completes the coverage of major genera of dark spored mushrooms including Gymnopilus, Phaeocollybia, Crepidotus, Galerina, Pholiota, Stropharia, Psilocybe, Hypholoma, Psathyrella, Gomphidius, Chroogomphus, Paxillus and some other distinctive genera of dark spored mushrooms.

Guide to the Major Genera of Gilled Mushrooms: The Dark Spored Mushrooms I: Agaricaceae (Dark Spored Members), Bolbitiaceae and Cortinariaceae 1

Dr. Michael Beug, 50 minutes – Watch Video | Download Powerpoint – Updated 2022 | Guide (Word)

This program covers Agaricus, Coprinus in the broad sense, Agrocybe, Bolbitius, Conocybe, Panaeolus, Hebeloma, Cortinarius and Inocybe.

Guide to the Major Genera of Gilled Mushrooms: The Light Spored Mushrooms II: Tricholomataceae, Hygrophoraceae and Russulaceae

Dr. Michael Beug, 50 minutes – Guide (Word) | Download Powerpoint Updated 2022 | Guide (Word)

This program completes the coverage of the major genera of light spored mushrooms not included in Part I.

Guide to the Major Genera of Gilled Mushrooms: The Light Spored Mushrooms I: Pluteaceae, Pleurotaceae, Entolomataceae, Marasmiaceae and Others

Dr. Michael Beug, 50 minutes – View Presentation. Watch Video | Download Powerpoint Updated 2022 | Guide (Word)

This program covers the best edible and most poisonous mushrooms from roughly half of the major genera of light spored mushrooms.

Widespread Agaricales of North America Part IX: Bolbitiaceae, Gomphidiaceae, Paxillaceae and Hygrophoropsidaceae

Dr. Michael Beug, 34 minutes – View Presentation | Download Powerpoint

To complete the coverage of the gilled mushrooms, this program covers the Bolbitiaceae and other orders of Basidiomycetes not discussed previously. The genera included are Agrocybe, Bolbitius, Conocybe, Hebeloma and Panaeolus from the Bolbitiaceae. Other genera included are Gomphidius and Chroogomphus from the Gomphidiaceae. This program concludes with Phylloporus, Paxillus, Tapinella and Hygrophoropsis.

Widespread Agaricales of North America Part VIII: Entolomataceae, Marasmiaceae, Schizophyllaceae and Hydnangiaceae

Dr. Michael Beug, 46 minutes – View Presentation | Download Powerpoint

This program covers Entoloma and its segregate genera, Schizophyllum, Laccaria, Armillaria, Marasmius, Rhodocollybia and some other distinctive genera.

Widespread Agaricales of North America Part VII: Strophariaceae and Psathyrellaceae

Dr. Michael Beug, 45 minutes – View Presentation | Download Powerpoint

This program covers Stropharia, Psilocybe, Hypholoma, Kuehneromyces, Pholiota, Psathyrella and some other distinctive genera.

Widespread Agaricales of North America Part VI: Cortinariaceae

Dr. Michael Beug, 57 minutes – View Presentation | Download Powerpoint

This program covers many species of Cortinarius and Inocybe that are not covered elsewhere. It also includes Gymnopilus, Phaeocollybia, Crepidotus, Galerina and some other genera in the Cortinariaceae.

Widespread Agaricales of North America Part V: Puffballs, Clubs and Corals

Dr. Michael Beug, 60 minutes – View Presentation | Download Powerpoint 

This program includes species both in the Agaricales as well as species that have traditionally been included in these groupings but are now considered parts of other orders. Thus traditional puffballs, large and small, are discussed along with desert stalked puffballs, Scleroderma species and bird’s nest fungi. Ramaria species are included with Clavaria species and other club and coral mushrooms.

Widespread Agaricales of North America Part IV: Tricholomataceae Part 2

Dr. Michael Beug, 58 minutes – View Presentation | Download Powerpoint

This program includes Mycena, Omphalina, Hygrophorus and Collybia, all in the broad sense. In each case, the central genus and most of the new genera that have been created based on recent DNA work are discussed. Mushroom ecology is also covered.

Widespread Agaricales of North America Part III: Tricholomataceae Part 1

Dr. Michael Beug, 60 minutes – View Presentation | Download Powerpoint

The Tricholomataceae is such a large family that to cover it in any depth two programs were needed. This program focuses on the large genera in the family, especially Tricholoma and Clitocybe. Additional included genera are Catathelasma, Tricholomopsis, Lyophyllum, Calocybe, Leucopaxillus, Panellus and Cystoderma. Some white-spored mushrooms from other families and other orders, including Omphalotus and Hygrophoropsis, are also covered.

Widespread Agaricales of North America Part II: Agaricaceae

Dr. Michael Beug, 50 minutes – View Presentation | Download Powerpoint

This program starts with Agaricus and then covers Lepiota and Coprinus in the broad sense.

Widespread Agaricales of North America Part I: Pluteaceae and Pleurotaceae

Dr. Michael Beug, 50 minutes – View Presentation | Download Powerpoint

This program begins with Amanita and covers the most widespread members of the genus and some interesting regional endemics. It also includes Limacella, Volvariella, Pluteus and Pleurotus in the broad sense.

Reflections on Poisonous Mushrooms

Dr. Michael Beug, 62 minutes – View Presentation | Download Powerpoint | Guide (Word)

This program is a complete revision of the Poisonous and Hallucinogenic Mushrooms slide-tape program (#16). Dr. Beug chairs the NAMA toxicology committee and draws on 30 years of mushroom poisoning reports in the NAMA database to discuss all of the mushrooms that have been reported to cause fatalities in North America and the mushrooms that are most frequently involved in cases of gastrointestinal distress. Revised March 2009.

Snowbank Mushrooms and Western Spring Basidiomycetes

Dr. Michael Beug, 34 minutes – View Presentation

This program focuses on the unique ecology of the Western Snowbank Mushrooms. These fungi fruit in the Rocky Mountains, Cascades and Sierra Nevada Mountains and are typically not found in the mountains of Europe or in the Eastern United States. The author has also included many of the common spring Basidiomycetes that are not part of the Snowbank Mycoflora but can be found at lower elevations in the West. Revised March 2009.

Morels and Other Spring Ascomycetes

Dr. Michael Beug, 37 minutes – 
View Powerpoint | Guide (Word) 

This program covers many different types of morels plus a range of other wide-spread spring ascomycetes focusing on when and where they are found and giving tips on correct identification. Over 50 species are discussed. Revised March 2009.

Naming Mushrooms: Who’s my Daddy

Dr. Michael Beug, 33 minutes – View Presentation

This program is a light-hearted look at 49 of the author’s favorite common mushrooms and why their scientific names have changed over the 30 years he has been photographing mushrooms. You will learn how the changes reflect our ongoing understanding of genetic relationships, our discovery that sometimes our mushrooms which carry European names are different than their European counterparts, our discovery that sometime mushrooms that we thought to be one species are several species and why common names have even more pitfalls than scientific names. Revised March 2009.

Introduction to Mushrooms

Dr. Michael Beug, 54 minutes – View Presentation

This program is an update of the Introduction to Mushrooms slide-tape program by Michael Beug. It covers nearly 80 species of both gilled and non-gilled mushrooms that are common in many regions of North America, plus several species that are readily cultivated. The species list for the program includes all of the author’s favorite edible mushrooms plus the most dangerous of the poisonous mushrooms. Revised March 20