WELCOME TO THE FOREST OF DEAN FUNGUS GROUP
The aims of the Dean Fungus Group (DFG) are 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. The Forest of Dean, in its wider sense, is the area between the Severn and the Wye to the South of, and including, May Hill.
Founded in 1986, the DFG has, over the years, identified over 3,000 different species of fungi within its area. The Forest of Dean is a great region for finding fungi, due to the variety of environments – broadleaf, coniferous, and mixed woodland, areas of grassland, marshland and old industrial sites.
Meetings are held during almost every month of the year, usually on Saturday mornings, moving off at 10.30am, and followed by an optional pub lunch. Weather permitting, we may also foray again in the afternoon.
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 restaurants is strictly forbidden.
Records are submitted to local and national recording schemes with the aim of developing a better understanding of the distribution of fungi and thus informing measures for their conservation.
Access: Most meetings are held on land open to the public; Forestry Commission, National Trust, and voluntary conservation bodies. To ensure goodwill it is essential that members comply with relevant byelaws and other regulations, avoiding damage to property and disturbance to wildliffe.
All are welcome to join the Dean Fungus Group and no specialist knowledge is necessary. Annual subscriptions are just £5 per member, £8 per couple. If you are interested in joining, please join our group.
New from January 2025!
Myxomycetes of the Forest
by John Holden
This book is an introduction to nearly 100 species of Myxomycete, most of which are frequently found in temperate woodlands and forests of England and other parts of Western Europe, including descriptions and colour photographs of mature and developing sporocarps, and microscopic characters of spores and capillitium, etc.
Available from Summerfield Books, Price £29.95.
Still available:
The Myxomycetes of the Forest of Dean
Listing 149 species and subspecies, and including 17 distribution maps and 75 illustrations in colour, this unique book also includes a brief history of the recording of slime moulds, notes on their biology and help with identification.
Available from https://glosnats.org/publications/
Price £6.50 inc p&p
