CULLMAN, Ala. – Alabama Mushroom Society President Alisha Millican and Alabama Nature Journal Club President Laramie Akozbek came together Saturday, July 29, to host a mushroom nature journaling event at Sportsman Lake Park. In total, 19 participants spent the morning hiking and foraging for mushrooms, then documenting their findings.
“Alisha was our fungi expert and laid out all of the mushrooms found on the foray, grouped them and briefly explained their characteristics and identified them for everyone,” Akozbek said.
Millican took her time hiking with participants and shared her expertise.
“I was so excited to hear that it rained here yesterday,” she said. According to Millican, rain creates the perfect conditions for mushrooms to grow. Everyone was able to find several types.
After the hike, everyone found a place under the pavilion to set up their journaling stations. Akozbek briefly explained tips and tricks for drawing and journaling mushrooms, and handed out a number of resources.
For two hours, participants socialized and worked on documenting the specimens they found. They had a range of styles and mediums, from watercolors to colored pencils to pure graphite to ink-only depictions using a technique called stippling. Millican and Akozbek rotated between tables offering assistance as needed.
“Our joint event with the Alabama Mushroom Society was a huge success, filled with energy, creativity, a love for learning and of course wild mushrooms!” Akozbek said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better turnout – our pavilion was bustling with activity. This partnership allowed attendees to fuse their passion for nature journaling with the expertise of Alisha and the AMS, creating a truly enriching experience that underscores the power of shared interests.
Find out more about the Alabama Nature Journal Club at www.alabamanaturejournalclub.com.
There is also a Facebook page where members can share their artwork and discuss journaling at www.facebook.com/groups/alabamanaturejournalclub.
