Celebrating 50 Years! 1974-2024
Pikes Peak Mycological Society (PPMS) was founded in 1974 by Athalie “Lee” Barzee (1924-2015), for the purpose of the identification and study of mushrooms. PPMS is an affiliate member of the North American Mycological Association (NAMA), a non-profit organization of professional and amateur mycologists with approximately 80 affiliated mycological societies throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
PPMS is a non-profit group for people who love and want to learn more about the mysterious mushroom- the third leg of life on earth. We say ‘mysterious’ because, while our knowledge of flora and fauna is extensive, we know very little about fungi. We need to get busy, friends- there’s a lot of work to do!
Pikes Peak casts a broad shadow over Colorado Springs here in Southern Colorado. But the famous fourteener’ gives us a completely unique fungal environment and only adds to the local mushroom experience. We can explore fungal blooms and mycelial penetration from just under timber line (alpine), down to the foothills and riverbeds (riparian).
Please join us on our magnificent mushroom adventure as we try to learn more about these fascinating organisms!
What We Do:
PPMS has been active in Southern Colorado for 50 years leading forays, educating the curious, hosting mushroom-themed dinners and bringing in mycology experts from all over the world to feed our obsession through educational and interesting lectures. Topics range from mycoremediation, how to grow mushrooms at home, medicinal and healing powers of mushrooms, to the identification of common and not-so-common local species.
MEETINGS are held monthly from April through September/October, to provide an opportunity to socialize and exchange information. All general club meetings are free and open to the public. The highlight of each meeting consists of a program designed to promote understanding and knowledge of mycology and related areas. Meetings are conducted by an outside specialist/expert or a knowledgeable member. You are encouraged to bring specimens of mushrooms that you have found to the meetings for display and identification. There are experts on hand at every meeting that can positively identify your mushrooms.
Our members-only FORAYS are arranged according to the weather and can go out east, south, north or west depending on moisture and temperature. The altitude here adds a great deal of dynamics to our mushroom season–we can hunt for snowbank fungi at 10:00 AM on top of Pikes Peak and then head to Canon City the same day to check for porcini or puffballs.
Forays are an excellent activity for hands-on learning about different species, and habitats, a place to get advice from experts and learn a ton of stuff you can’t always get from a book.
Speaking of books- PPMS in conjunction with Colorado Mycological Society has co-authored a new locally focused guide to fungi in the Rocky Mountains. Order your copy of “Foraging Mushrooms of The Rocky Mountains” today!
