Below are some articles specifically chosen to help you begin your journey!
Vancouver Mycological Society- Where and How to Pick Mushrooms
The Vancouver Mycological Society is the main club for mushrooms in the Lower Mainland, it is a great source for mushroom rules and guidelines in British Columbia.
This article provides a good starting point to finding where mushroom picking is and isn’t allowed in British Columbia. It also highlights some good practices on how to best pick mushrooms. This is information every beginner should know!
The Government of British Columbia- Mushroom Picking
This is the official website of the Government of British Columbia, making it a great source for the laws and safety considerations surrounding foraging.
This is an essential page for every new forager to see! It provides a ton of information such as mushroom biology, where picking is allowed, safety considerations, and road safety when looking for places to forage. It is very clearly laid out and a great source to know the official rules of the province.
Vancouver Mycological Society- About Edible Mushrooms
The Vancouver Mycological Society is the main club for mushrooms in the Lower Mainland, it is a great source for information about mushrooms in British Columbia.
This article talks about some safety considerations when eating mushrooms you have foraged. It emphasizes that common myths about mushrooms are not true, and that there are no simple ways to tell if a mushroom is poisonous. It also highlights other safety considerations like cooking mushrooms thoroughly before eating.
British Columbia Magazine- Foraging for Fungi
British Columbia Magazine specializes in different topics surrounding life in British Columbia, while it does not specialize in foraging, it is a good source as the information is researched and sources are provided.
This article provides good insight to six common mushrooms found in British Columbia. It talks about what time of year these mushrooms can be found, and other defining characteristics. It also provides some tips like which mushrooms to dehydrate and how to clean mushrooms.
British Columbia Medical Journal- The World’s Most Poisonous Mushroom, Amanita Phalloides, Is Growing in BC.”
The British Columbia Medical Journal publishes papers on different medical topics, especially prevalent in British Columbia. This is a good source to listen to regarding the deadly nature of certain mushrooms.
While foraging edible mushrooms is amazing, one must be aware of the mushrooms to avoid. This article discusses the poisonous mushroom Amanita Phalloides – The Death Cap Mushroom. This is a deadly mushroom that is found in British Columbia and every forager should be informed on how to avoid it.
Biological Conservation – Mushroom picking does not impair future harvests – results of a long-term study in Switzerland
The Biological Conservation is a journal that publishes articles on conservation science, this is a good source for examining the impact of mushroom picking.
There debate in the mycological world on whether foragers should pick mushrooms or cut them at the base. Those who say mushrooms should be cut argue that picking disturbs the mycelium and will affect future growth. However, arguments can be made that mushrooms should be picked as the base is needed for a proper ID. This journal article discusses a study that has been done on how picking mushrooms affect future harvests.
REI Co-op – The Ten Essentials
REI Co-op is a company that specializes in selling mountain, forest, and general outdoor equipment. They have an “expert advice” column which discusses various topics in navigating the outdoors. The information is valuable to know if exploring the outdoors, and the source in nonweldable on the topic.
The Ten Essentials are a list of items that one is recommended to have when exploring the outdoors. This includes extra food, extra water, shelter, and first aid.
Citations:
Egli, Simon, et al. “Mushroom Picking Does Not Impair Future Harvests – Results of a Long-Term Study in Switzerland.” Biological Conservation, vol. 129, no. 2, Jan. 2006, pp. 271–76. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2005.10.042.
Ministry of Forests. Mushroom Picking – Province of British Columbia. 15 Sept. 2025, www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/crown-land-water/crown-land/crown-land-uses/mushroom-picking.
Moor-Smith, Maxwell, et al. “The World’s Most Poisonous Mushroom, Amanita Phalloides, Is Growing in BC.” British Columbia Medical Journal, vol. 61, no. 1, Jan. 2019, pp. 20–24. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=4bcb9ef3-0da0-3e39-8e24-053403924f57.
Rei. “The Ten Essentials for Hiking & Camping: Rei Co-Op.” REI, https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
Thiessen, Cherie. “Foraging for Fungi: Mushrooming 101.” British Columbia Magazine, vol. 59, no. 3, Sept. 2017, pp. 29–35. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=fd36689b-c5a6-3e84-8753-b4d24547ebdd.
VMS Vancouver Mycological Society. “About Edible Mushrooms – Vancouver Mycological Society.” Vancouver Mycological Society, 9 Oct. 2020, vanmyco.org/about-mushrooms/edible.
VMS Vancouver Mycological Society. “Where and How to Pick Mushrooms – Vancouver Mycological Society.” Vancouver Mycological Society, 5 Oct. 2021, vanmyco.org/about-mushrooms/where-and-how-to-pick.