MICHIGAN BOTANICAL SOCIETY
SOUTHWESTERN CHAPTER FIELD TRIP
From Pheasant Back to Turkey Tail: On the Hunt for Fall Mushrooms Field Trip
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Dr. Ellen Holste
EnviroSpeak
Saturday October 17, 2026, 10am
Celebrate National Mushroom Day (October 15th) with a guided hike through fields and forests while uncovering the hidden world of fall fungi. Join Dr. Ellen Holste of EnviroSpeak to learn how to recognize key features of common mushrooms, avoid common identification pitfalls, and gain practical tips and tricks for safe and responsible foraging. Whether you’re a curious beginner or an experienced nature enthusiast, this hike offers a chance to slow down, sharpen your mushroom-spotting skills, and discover and celebrate the bounty of the season.
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute (PCCI) is an 850-acre nature center, environmental education center, and biological field station located in south-central Barry County, with over 10 miles of hiking trails. The property is a blend of diverse habitats including wetlands, forests, marshes, streams, lakes, and prairies. The trip is rated moderate in difficulty, with some hilly sections along the way. Insect repellent and/or netting, sunscreen, water as well as suitable clothing are suggested.
Dr. Ellen Holste is the founder and owner of EnviroSpeak, a company committed to creating meaningful and memorable connections to science and nature. She has over a decade of experience engaging audiences through talks, walks, and workshops and is certified as an interpretive guide and trainer through the National Association for Interpretation. Ellen earned her Master of Science in Forestry and dual PhD in Forestry and Ecology from Michigan State University, where her fascination with fungi began with a simple question: Could fungi help make tropical restoration effects successful? That curiosity grew into a passion for exploring the incredible diversity of fungi and the many ways these fascinating organisms can support and strengthen forests and the world around us. Today, she proudly considers herself a “fun-gal” and even holds a wild-foraged mushroom certification through the state of Michigan. Ellen resides in Haslett, Michigan with her husband and son and enjoys hiking, biking, practicing yoga, reading, and writing.
Directions: Pierce Cedar Creek Institute (PCCI), 701 W. Cloverdale Road, Hastings, MI 49058. From Kalamazoo, take Gull Road (M-43) northeast through Richland and Delton to the village of Cloverdale. Look for the Michigan Department of Transportation sign “Pierce Cedar Creek Nature Preserve.” Turn right (east) onto Cloverdale Road and travel 4.5 miles (portions of the road are unpaved). The entrance is on the right (south). If you reach the intersection of Cloverdale and M-37 you have gone too far. The coordinates are 42.53707608008733, -85.30374962922168.