Conservation & Stewardship Committee Scholarship

About the 2026 Winner:

Cassandra Beaumont was selected by the Conservation & Stewardship Committee as she has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to fungal education, conservation, and community engagement. Through active participation in multiple mycological societies, creation of the Heal With Mushrooms podcast highlighting women in mycology, and advocacy efforts to incorporate fungi into local environmental planning, they have shown meaningful leadership and a strong dedication to advancing fungal awareness and stewardship. As a first-time NAMA Annual Foray attendee, they will greatly benefit from the educational and networking opportunities provided by the scholarship and are well-positioned to share that knowledge with their community through outreach. Stay tuned later this year for their planned contribution to NAMA’s Mycophile newsletter about their experience and what they learned.

About the Scholarship

This scholarship will enable one person to attend the 2026 NAMA Annual Foray on behalf of the NAMA Conservation & Stewardship Committee. The winning applicant will be required to write a short article for the Mycophile Quarterly, highlighting their experience at the foray and including a brief essay reflecting on “how can your community cultivate a better, more intentional relationship with your local fungi?”

The scholarship recipient will receive:
• Priority registration for the “NAMA Yoop” Foray held in Marquette, Michigan, August 27-30, 2026. (Visit: https://namyco.org/annual-foray/ for more info.)
  *Includes: Registration fee (including all lectures, field trips and room and board at double occupancy rate)
  *Does not include travel to the foray location from recipient’s home.

To apply for the scholarship, please:
1) Write a short essay. Tell us why you enjoy learning about mushrooms and how attending the NAMA Annual foray would be an important part of that.
2) Please include your full name and email address on the essay.
3) Confirm that you are willing to write an article for the Mycophile after the foray.
4) Confirm that you are NAMA member (if you are not already sign up before you apply!).
5) E-mail your scholarship essay to [email protected] no later than June 20th, 2026.
Questions may be sent to the same email address.

• This scholarship is open to anyone who is at least 18 years of age and has never attended a NAMA Annual Foray in the past.
• Applicants will submit a short essay, describing how attending the Annual Foray will enhance their knowledge, understanding and experience of mushrooms and the greater mycological community.
• The Conservation & Stewardship Committee will review all essays and select a recipient.
• The chosen essay will be shared in the Mycophile Quarterly before the foray.
• After attending the foray, the selected participant will share their foray recap article and reflection essay for the Mycophile Quarterly.

The selected participant will be notified by June 22nd, 2026.
Good Luck!