The goals of the South Carolina Upstate Mycological Society are to bring people together who share a common interest in mushrooms and other fungi, and to facilitate an appreciation and understanding of fungi.
The ‘Upstate’ in our name refers to the region in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina that begins at the border of South Carolina and Georgia and goes East to the Catawba River basin. Frequent rains, diverse ecological niches, and mild winter temperatures contribute to a wealth of fungal diversity and abundance.
Monthly Meeting: SCUMS meets first Monday of the month. Meetings start at 6:30 pm or come anytime after 6:00 pm for socializing and specimen show and tell. Currently our location moves around, so check under Events (link above) for this month's location.
Meetings are open to everyone! We just ask if you attend multiple meetings, please become a member to support these monthly events. Want to become a member? Click the Join Us link above.
Monthly Foray: SCUMS hopes to hold a foray the weekend following each meeting, weather dependent. Forays are open to those with current memberships, you will receive foray details by email.
Want to become a member? Click the Join Us link above.
SCUMS unofficially formed in the fall of 2007. The founders are Dr. Julia Kerrigan, a professor of mycology at Clemson University, Olga Katic, a mushroom farmer who owns a local business, Mushroom Mountain, and Tradd Cotter, myco-author and entrepreneur.
Because of the drought, SCUMS didn’t actually hold its first meeting until May 6, 2008, when rainfall was substantial enough to (finally!) warrant an official foray.
We are affiliated with the North American Mycological Association (http://www.namyco.org).
