President's Message

It is the end of February. The day is sunny and warm, and it feels like
Spring, Yet we wait and hope that late March will deliver our big
end-of-Winter snow.  It seems as though those of us scheduling field
trips--and particularly the annual Foray--worry about well-timed
precipitation. Last year's Spring was perfectly moist and fungally
productive. The Fall season was good, but quite late. Now we wonder what
the present year holds in store.  I think this is why we pack away so many
dried mushrooms.

Besides agonizing about Southwestern weather (as though there were anything
any of us can do about it) and how our mushrooms seasons might turn out, I
distract myself with the anticipation of this year's NAMA Foray in Alberta.  
The Foray site is west of Edmonton, but we will head north from Calgary,
travelling through Banff & Jasper National Parks. Although I'm partial to
my home area of New Mexico & Colorado, I will confess that the Canadian
Rockies are one of the most spectacular places I've encountered, and I am
more than eager to return.

For those who truly want to expand their mycological horizons, NAMA
conferences are hard to beat.  I realize the time commitment and expense
required to attend these events--Terri & I have attended seven during the
last nine years--but every gathering offers opportunities to visit
different habitats and encounter new fungi.  We also look forward to
visiting with the the wonderful folks who attend these Forays. As much as I
value New Mexico mushrooming, the experience would diminish without the
gains derived from participation in NAMA.

Learning and appreciation are major goals of NAMA, and that mindset is why
we value our membership and involvement. The NMMS leadership is also
dedicated to maintaining and strengthening this ideal. Last year's Ruidoso
Foray encouraged learning fungal species and features, and this year's will
as well. Dry seasons actually aid in this goal. When folks aren't obsessed
with acquiring bags of boletes, they can more easily focus on the beauty
and variety of Southwestern fungi.

David Wallis
(for Mar'06 Mycorizon)