Explore the fascinating world of fungi! The MMS Mushroom Passport Program is designed to help you improve your mushroom identification skills and prepare for presenting at MMS events. This program is available to all MMS members and complements our regular certification and beginner classes.
Program Goals
- Enhance mushroom identification skills.
- Encourage MMS members to become effective presenters and communicators at MMS events and forays.
- Create fun, informal opportunities for all ages to learn and grow in mushroom identification.
The MMS encourages our members to go on an adventure and explore the world of fungi. We encourage you to venture into the woods and your backyards to discover the mushrooms that live and grow around you. This will include learning about these mushrooms through online resources, guidebooks, MMS meetings, and on forays.
You can choose the mushrooms that you want to explore. There is no list of required fungi for your passport. You decide the species you will learn about and identify and the order in which you do so.
How It Works, In a Nutshell
Where are my identifications authenticated?
In Person at a Foray or other MMS Event
Bring your passport sheet along with a mushroom sample or some high-quality photos. Then, a qualified MMS authenticator will verify your observations and may ask questions to help you improve your identification skills.
Or Virtually
This virtual option allows you to connect via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or another online platform, enabling an Authenticator to verify your work remotely. This is perfect for exercising your identification skills over the winter months!
What will the Authenticator do?
They will listen to you as you describe the mushroom and how you identified it. You will share any unique features it has, as well as things someone should be aware of, like potential look-alikes. All of this information should be on your passport form, so you can use it as a reference.
It’s a good idea to bring a specimen of the mushroom if possible. Otherwise, bring plenty of pictures that show all the views needed to make an ID.
The authenticator might ask you some questions about the mushroom. Think of it as a conversation about your favorite subject: mushrooms! Once you have identified your mushroom, they will do one of 3 things:
- Approve the identification and sign.
- Request additional information before signing.
- Decline to sign and advise on further steps to strengthen identification skills.
Note: There are no same-day retries.
An example of a completed passport form
A Passport Presentation: It’s Low-Key and the Key to Becoming a Better Identifier, Faster!
Read about Erica’s experience with the passport program in a short blog post she wrote.
Achievement Levels
Each level has awards that you can only get as a Passport Participant.
Share Your Knowledge
You’ve worked hard to learn the mushrooms you identify, so why not share the knowledge you’ve gained? We encourage presenting your findings at an informal identification meeting once per achievement level. This also offers additional recognition. These presentations can also be part of special “Passport Events.”
Your progress and achievements may also be featured in The Toadstool Review!
Prizes and Recognition
Each achievement level is celebrated with awards:
Passport FAQs
The Mushroom Passport Program is an initiative by MMS that encourages members to develop mushroom identification skills. Participants log identified mushrooms to reach specific levels: 12 (Chanterelle/Cantharellus), 24 (Morel/Morchella), 48 (Indigo Milky/Lactarius indigo), and 72 (Amanita Jacksonii). Each level unlocks rewards, such as a button at the Chanterelle level and MMS swag at higher levels. Passport authentication may be available at forays, pending program testing. You may pursue identification and authentication (signatures) at your own pace. Watch for announcements about authentication events. There are no appeals if your identification is rejected during authentication; however, you can try again on another day.
To authenticate a mushroom, participants must work with MMS-trained authenticators focused on accurate identification and observational skills. Authenticators ensure specimens meet identification standards. You may identify any mushroom that you want. You should typically have high-quality photos of the mushroom, ideally including the top, bottom, sides, and other essential views of that specific mushroom. Learn to identify mushrooms that interest you.
A photo is not required in every instance, but it helps with authentication. You should have the actual mushroom or a good photo during your meeting with the authenticator. Use good sense and determine what the image might show that might be overlooked in your description. In some instances, a drawing or sketch may be more effective. The authenticators will verify that your identification is accurate, thorough, and unlikely to be confused with similar and toxic mushrooms. Some mushrooms, like the Giant Puffball, are simple. Others are more problematic (Like all those amanitas). With some mushrooms, the authenticators will only look for the genus (the first word of the scientific name). Other mushroom descriptions will need to be very detailed. Authentication availability is being tested at Forays, with final program design decisions expected starting in 2025.
Yes, one presentation is required for each achievement level, but are not required for every identification.
The program starts in 2025, and MMS will provide downloadable empty passport pages and example logs on the program’s webpage. Keep an eye out for updates and further instructions, which will be announced on the MMS website.
Are You Ready to Fill Your Passport?
Contact Passport Program Coordinator using our contact form.
Download your passport form now!