The purpose of the Dean Fungus Group (DFG) is to find, identify and record the fungi of the Forest of Dean, to promote a greater understanding of the importance of fungi in Nature, and to encourage their conservation. The DFG is affiliated to the British Mycological Society and the Fungus Conservation Trust.
Founded in 1986, the DFG has, over the years, identified over 3,000 different species of fungi (see section on Recording) . The Forest of Dean is a great area for finding fungi, due to the variety of environments – broadleaf, conifer and mixed woodland, areas of grassland, marshland and old industrial sites. A brief introduction to the fungi can be found here.
The DFG usually forays during almost every month of the year. Forays are mostly on Friday or Saturday mornings, moving off at 10.30am and followed by an optional pub lunch. Weather permitting, we may also foray again in the afternoon.
Foray dates for Autimn 2024: The programme for Autumn 2024 can be downloaded from the Members’ page.
It is important to appreciate that the object of the DFG is not to find fungi to eat; please refer to the Edible Fungi section. Commercial picking, e.g. selling fungi or picking for sale or restaurants is strictly forbidden on Forest land, nature reserves, etc. Only the minimum amount necessary for identification should be collected.
All are welcome to join the DFG and no specialist knowledge is necessary. Annual subscriptions are just £5 per member, £8 per couple or family. If you are interested in joining, please click on Join Our Group.
New Publication: Based on historical records as well as data gathered by members and friends of the Dean Fungus Group, the Gloucestershire Naturalists’ Society has published (April 2021) “Myxomycetes of the Forest of Dean”; A new book listing 149 species and subspecies, and including 17 distribution maps and 75 illustrations in colour, this book also includes a brief history of the recording of slime moulds and notes on their biology and identification. Available to order from their website at https://glosnats.org/publications/
