As the summer heat dragged on into late October, over twenty Society members new and old gathered at midday in Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan to learn about the myriad fungi that exist just off the beaten path - literally. Paul Sadowski utilized his twenty-plus years of experience studying fungi to provide in-depth knowledge to the group. There was no need to go more than a few feet at a time to flip over a different log and reveal another variety of fungi. Attendees who brought their pocket loupes and magnifiers gladly passed them around so others could visualize and explore the intricate folds found on the undersides of the mushrooms. Paul provided insight into how mushrooms are being used to gauge global warming as well as details on medicinal uses.
To view more photos from this event, visit our gallery. All photo credit goes to Maurice Chen.
Paul Sadowski has been an active amateur mycologist for over twenty years. He has studied mushrooms under the mentorship of Gary Lincoff, Tom Volk, Aaron Norarevian, Dennis Aita and others. He has been a working member of the New York Mycological Society during these years as Treasurer and Secretary, coordinator of the Monday Night Study Group (the Foul Weather Friends) and has led microscopy workshops for the Society. In 2010 he received The North American Mycological Association's Harry and Elsie Knighton Service Award. Paul has also been involved in the operations of the Northeast Mycological Federation, serving as Treasurer since 2011. He is the chair of the 2017 NEMF Samuel Ristich Foray. Sadowski has presented numerous programs in New York and New Jersey for an audience of the mycologically curious members of garden clubs and conservancies. In 2007 and 2008 with the Greenbrook Sanctuary naturalist, Nancy Slowik, they embarked on a survey of fungi within the Sanctuary's property in the New Jersey Palisades. The experience led him to study Polypores with the eminent mycologist Tom Volk at a seminar held at Eagle Hill, the Humboldt Field Research Center in Steubenville, Maine. The Charles Horton Peck Foray, the annual meeting of students of mycology and mushroom hobbyists is a touchstone for Mr. Sadowski. The relaxed atmosphere of this congregation is at once mentoring and rejuvenating. He has coordinated support from the NYMS in sponsoring three forays. Each year since 2009, Mr. Sadowskihas led presentations and walks at Inwood Hill Park on behalf of the NYC Parks Department in cooperation with the Greenacre Foundation.