Forest Fungi Forage

Forest Fungi Forage

Welcome to our Growing MCR Forest Fungi Forage event! Join us for a fun and educational day in nature where we will explore the fascinating world of mushrooms. Our experienced guide, Ladislav, will lead you through the forest, teaching you how to identify different types of fungi and sharing interesting facts along the way. This hands-on experience is perfect for nature enthusiasts of all levels. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the great outdoors and learn more about the hidden treasures of Blackley forest! Grab your boots and walking stick and let's go foraging together!

About Blackley Forest

Blackley Forest, a Local Nature Reserve in North Manchester, is a significant urban green space covering 20.5 hectares. Historically a medieval hunting park, it was replanted in 1953 as a community project to commemorate the Queen's coronation and local war heroes. The forest features a mix of woodland, grassland, and wetlands, with the River Irk flowing through it. Managed by Manchester City Council in partnership with the "Friends of Blackley Forest" group, it is a popular spot for walking, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities

About Growing Manchester

This course is proudly offered through Growing MCR, Manchester City Council's Community Food Growing Programme. A partnership with the award-winning non-profit Sow the City, Growing MCR provides free support, training, and advice to over 100 food-growing groups across the city. Our mission is to help people connect with nature and lead happier, more sustainable lives.

Session Information

Meeting Time and Location

The session starts promptly at 11:00 AM at the forest entrance on Blackley New Road. The address is 275 Blackley New Road, located right next to the substation (what3words kicked.spirit.turned)

Walk Details The walk will be a 1.5 km loop through the forest. The path includes small hills and stairs, making it unsuitable for wheelchair users.

Course Focus Our course is an introduction to the fascinating world of fungi, as well as the trees and plants of the forest. With over 15,000 species of fungi in the UK, identification can be incredibly challenging. For your safety, we won't be sampling any edible mushrooms. Instead, the session will give you the knowledge to identify some of the most common species and understand their uses and importance in the ecosystem.

Image courtesy of Andrew Ridley on Unsplash.