EcoFlora & NY Mycological Society Fungal Foray and More!

Join NY EcoFlora and the NY Mycological Society on a walk in Alley Pond Park, Queens

Sunday, January 29th at 10:00 a.m. EST

Led by Misha Zitser

REGISTER HERE

Whether you are new to the world of fungi or are an experienced mycologist, come join us to explore the park, share knowledge, and discover some amazing organisms! Led by Misha Zitser ( user: @zitserm ), an active iNaturalist contributor and fungi enthusiast, this walk will be 3+ hours. Participants are not expected to stay for the duration of the walk (unless you want to, of course!). Make sure to dress warmly, and bring water and a snack, as well as a hand lens if you have one (we will have extras to borrow).

About Misha Zitser

Misha Zitser has spent the last two years observing the flora, fauna and funga of New York City. He joined the iNaturalist community in 2020 and has been actively contributing observations to the New York City EcoFlora project. He is also a prolific contributor to the New York Mycological Society's "Fungi of NYC" project and regularly takes part in the mushroom forays led by the group. While Misha enjoys traveling through the city's boroughs, most of his observations are from the parks in his backyard - two beautiful, forested parks in Queens, Alley Pond Park and Cunningham Park. As Misha puts it, "Here, less than an hour away from the skyscrapers of Manhattan, I can observe White-tailed deer, Red foxes, flying squirrels, Great Horned Owls and even Coyotes. Every day that I venture into the woods, I am surprised by something new. I may find a species of plant or fungi that I haven't seen before, or perhaps a new bird or insect. One time, I witnessed a dramatic tussle between a Silver-haired bat and a Red-bellied woodpecker. Sometimes, it's on the rainy and snowy days that I find the coolest things, so I try not to let inclement weather hamper my adventures - instead I embrace it. Mother Earth takes her time to reveal her secrets. Discovering these secrets is what drives me to go to the woods every day."

GETTING THERE

We will meet at 10 a.m. in the southeastern portion of the park, near the tennis courts on Winchester Road.

click here to view meeting spot

The park is most easily accessible by car, but there are several public transportation options as well.

Via public transit

Take the QM6 bus towards Lake Success N Shore Towers to the Union Turnpike-Winchester Blvd stop. Alternatively, take the E or F to Kew Gardens-Union Turnpike, then take the Q46 bus towards Lake Success LIJ Hospital to the Union Turnpike-Winchester Blvd stop.