Chick of the Woods Foraging

Who's That Tree?
2025-10-19 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Theodore Wirth Park, 3200 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55405
Find More Mushrooms by Knowing Your Trees
Ever spend hours wandering the woods unsure where to look for mushrooms? Learning tree identification solves that problem. When you know which trees host your favorite edible mushrooms, you stop guessing and start finding.
In this class, Chick of the Woods will teach simple, practical tree identification techniques that go beyond leaf shape, with a focus on trees that support choice edible mushrooms. You’ll learn what trees deserve your attention and which ones you can pass by.
A few days before the walk, you’ll receive an exclusive video covering tree ID basics and five key mushroom-hosting trees: oak, elm, box elder, cottonwood, and ash. This prep work means less lecture and more hands-on learning in the woods.
The in-person portion is a fun, guided walk on established trails (about 1.5–2 hours), practicing real-time tree identification and connecting trees to the mushrooms that grow with them.
You’ll leave feeling more confident, capable, and equipped to forage smarter for years to come—and it makes a thoughtful, well-loved gift for nature lovers.
Who this class is for

Beginner and intermediate mushroom foragers
Nature lovers curious about trees and fungi
Gardeners and outdoor educators
Anyone tired of guessing where mushrooms grow
A unique, practical gift for the outdoorsy person in your life

Held rain or shine, with weather adjustments as needed. If canceled, credits will be provided for a future event.
Join Chick of the Woods and start seeing the forest the way mushrooms do.
Disclaimers & Policies

This is an outdoor educational event; participants attend at their own risk. Terrain may be uneven, include roots, mud, or off-trail walking. Wear appropriate footwear and weather-ready clothing.
Mushroom and plant growth depends on environmental conditions; sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Some locations may require a parking fee or day-use pass.
This event is geared toward adults, but children are welcome if suitable for them; all attend at the same rate.
Exact meeting location and final details will be shared the day before the event (or sooner).
Photographs or video may be taken for educational or promotional use; notify us if you prefer not to be included.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

Cancellations ≥72 hours before the event receive a credit toward a future class. Cancellations within 72 hours are not eligible for credit.
Rain or shine; if severe conditions make the event unsafe, it will be canceled and a credit issued.
If minimum attendance is not met, the event may be canceled and full refunds provided.

Foraging Edible Springtime Plants 101 - Online Class
2026-04-06 18:30 - 20:00 | online
Kickstart Your Spring Foraging Journey with Chick of the Woods
Spring is the perfect time to begin foraging — and this fun, beginner-friendly online class will give you the confidence to do it safely and successfully before the season is in full swing.
In this interactive virtual workshop, you’ll learn how to confidently identify four popular spring edible plants: ramps, nettles, fiddleheads, and spruce tips. You’ll cover key identification features, safety and look-alikes, foraging basics, plus simple (and unique!) ways to eat and preserve each plant so you can enjoy them long after spring has passed.
By the end of the class, you’ll know exactly what to look for, how to harvest responsibly, and how to turn your finds into delicious, nourishing food. This class is perfect for beginners, nature lovers, and anyone who wants to have fun outdoors while eating healthier and saving money.
Can’t make the live class? No problem — all attendees will receive a one-week replay and an electronic copy of the slides.
The class link will be sent by 4 PM on the day of the event.

Morel Mushroom Hunting - Online Class
2026-04-16 18:30 - 20:30
Find More Morels—With Confidence
Be prepared for morel season! This class will give you time to prep and start scouting locations before the season starts.
Whether you’re brand new to morel hunting or have been searching for years with mixed success, this in-depth online morel mushroom class is designed to dramatically improve your chances of finding morels in the Midwest.
This class will stop you from wandering the woods without knowing where, when, or why morels grow where they do. By the end of this class, you’ll replace guesswork with proven strategies.
Most importantly, you’ll gain the confidence to identify morels correctly, avoid dangerous look-alikes, and forage safely and ethically.
What You’ll Learn

Where and when to find morels in the Midwest
How to identify true morels vs. look-alikes
Foraging basics and safety best practices
Tree identification and habitat clues
Helpful apps, websites, and tools
Cooking and preservation methods
Insider tips and tricks to increase your success year after year

We’ll focus primarily on common morels (yellows/blondes, Morchella americana), with an introduction to half-free and black morels.
Who Is This Class For?

Complete beginners who want to start foraging safely and confidently
Morel hunters who want tips to find more morels
Gardeners, hikers, and nature lovers curious about edible mushrooms
Foragers who want to better understand tree associations
Anyone who wants to spend less time searching and more time finding

Can’t Attend Live or Afraid You’ll Forget?
No problem. All ticket holders receive access to the class recording for one full week, so you can watch (or rewatch) on your own schedule. Everyone will also receive a free, downloadable “tips and tricks” pdf for finding morel mushrooms.
Guarantee
If, after attending the class or watching the recording, you don’t feel you gained enough practical value to improve your morel hunting, simply reach out and we’ll refund your ticket—no hard feelings and no questions asked.
A Thoughtful Gift for Nature Lovers
This class makes a wonderful gift for mushroom lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, gardeners, and curious beginners.
**Registration closes at 4:00 PM on the day of the event. A link to the virtual class and the downloadable “tips and tricks” pdf will be emailed to attendees at that time.

Know the Trees - Find the Mushrooms
2026-04-22 18:00 - 19:30 | Theodore Wirth Park, 3200 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55405
Find More Mushrooms by Knowing Your Trees
Ever spend hours wandering the woods unsure where to look for mushrooms? Learning tree identification solves that problem. When you know which trees host your favorite edible mushrooms, you stop guessing and start finding.
In this class, Chick of the Woods will teach simple, practical tree identification techniques that go beyond leaf shape, with a focus on trees that host choice edible mushrooms. You’ll learn what trees deserve your attention and which ones you can pass by.
A few days before the walk, you’ll receive an exclusive video covering tree ID basics and key mushroom-loving trees. This prep work means less lecture and more hands-on learning in the woods.
The in-person portion is a fun, guided walk on established trails, practicing real-time tree identification and connecting trees to the mushrooms that grow with them.
You’ll leave feeling more confident, capable, and equipped to forage smarter for years to come.
Who this class is for

Beginner and intermediate mushroom foragers
Nature lovers curious about trees and fungi
Gardeners and outdoor educators
Anyone tired of guessing where mushrooms grow
A unique, practical gift for the outdoorsy person in your life

Morel Mushroom Hunting - Online Class
2026-05-07 18:30 - 20:30
Find More Morels—With Confidence
Morel season is just beginning! Take this class and apply your knowledge immediately.
Whether you’re brand new to morel hunting or have been searching for years with mixed success, this in-depth online morel mushroom class is designed to dramatically improve your chances of finding morels in the Midwest.
This class will stop you from wandering the woods without knowing where, when, or why morels grow where they do. By the end of this class, you’ll replace guesswork with proven strategies.
Most importantly, you’ll gain the confidence to identify morels correctly, avoid dangerous look-alikes, and forage safely and ethically.
What You’ll Learn

Where and when to find morels in the Midwest
How to identify true morels vs. look-alikes
Foraging basics and safety best practices
Tree identification and habitat clues
Helpful apps, websites, and tools
Cooking and preservation methods
Insider tips and tricks to increase your success year after year

We’ll focus primarily on common morels (yellows/blondes, Morchella americana), with an introduction to half-free and black morels.
Who Is This Class For?

Complete beginners who want to start foraging safely and confidently
Morel hunters who want tips to find more morels
Gardeners, hikers, and nature lovers curious about edible mushrooms
Foragers who want to better understand tree associations
Anyone who wants to spend less time searching and more time finding

Can’t Attend Live or Afraid You’ll Forget the Information?
No problem. All ticket holders receive access to the class recording for one full week, so you can watch (or rewatch) on your own schedule. Everyone will also receive a free, downloadable “tips and tricks” pdf for finding morel mushrooms.
Guarantee
If, after attending the class or watching the recording, you don’t feel you gained enough practical value to improve your morel hunting, simply reach out and we’ll refund your ticket—no hard feelings and no questions asked.
A Thoughtful Gift for Nature Lovers
This class makes a wonderful gift for mushroom lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, gardeners, and curious beginners.
**Registration closes at 4:00 PM on the day of the event. A link to the virtual class and the downloadable “tips and tricks” pdf will be emailed to attendees at that time.

Springtime Wild Mushroom Hunt and Tasting
2026-05-17 13:00 - 18:00 | TBD, but within 1 hour south of Mpls
Join Chick of the Woods for a Fungi Adventure!
Dive into the fascinating world of mushroom foraging with this hands-on class designed to boost your confidence and skills. We’ll begin with an interactive discussion covering the basics of foraging, safety guidelines, helpful tips, and tricks. Fresh, seasonal mushrooms will be on hand for you to see, touch, and learn how to identify key varieties before heading out on our adventure.
After the introduction, we’ll wander into the woods to search for mushrooms. While we can pick the mushrooms we find, this event is not focused on filling baskets. This is an educational experience focused on teaching you how to find and identify delicious springtime mushrooms (like morels, oysters, and pheasant backs) – and the dangerous ones, too. If we pick any edible mushrooms on our hunt, we will divide them evenly and attendees can bring them home.
Once our foraging is complete, Chick of the Woods will demonstrate a simple cooking technique using springtime mushrooms, and everyone will enjoy a light tasting. If you have any dietary restrictions, please contact us at

in**@ch*************.com

to inquire before signing up.

This class is perfect for complete beginners and seasoned foragers looking to sharpen their skills. Never been on a mushroom hunt with Chick of the Woods? Learn more here. Wondering what you’ll need to bring? Learn more here. Chick of the Woods will also have foraging items on hand that you can purchase before the hunt, such as knives, bags, books, and more.
Highlights of the Class:

Learn foraging basics, safety tips, and mushroom identification.
Explore the woods in search of seasonal mushrooms.
Enjoy a live cooking demonstration and tasting session.
Take home a share of any mushrooms found (never guaranteed).

Important Information:

Mushroom growth depends on environmental conditions, so while we’ll do our best to visit promising spots, there’s no guarantee of finding mushrooms.
Be prepared to walk off-trail and navigate uneven terrain.
This is a rain-or-shine event. However, in the case of severe weather, the event will be canceled, and you’ll receive a credit to use for a future class.
This event is geared toward adults, but children are welcome if suitable for them; all attend at the same rate.
Some locations may require a parking fee or day pass.
Attendees will receive additional information about location, what to expect, what to bring, and other logistics at least one day prior to the event.

Intermediate Mushroom Hunting with Guest Expert Noah Siegel
2026-08-09 10:00 - 16:15 | within an hour of minneapolis
Are you ready to take your mushrooming skills to the next level? This intermediate class is designed for mushroom hunters who already know the basics and are eager to deepen their knowledge in the field.
We’re thrilled to feature guest expert Noah Siegel, one of the leading figures in U.S. field mycology. With over three decades of experience in identification, taxonomy, and photography, Noah’s expertise is unmatched. Noah is a renowned field guide author, award‑winning photographer, and highly sought‑after speaker who has dedicated his career to expanding public understanding of the fungal world. Most recently, he spent three months in Tanzania researching primate mycophagy!
The day begins with an engaging presentation from Noah, offering insights that will help you sharpen your identification skills and enhance your field observation techniques. After the presentation, participants will enjoy a light lunch featuring wild mushrooms.

Following lunch, we’ll head out for a guided mushroom hunt. Both Jaime and Noah will assist with identification throughout the foray, with Noah providing additional support on more advanced or challenging finds. We’ll conclude the day by gathering to review the mushrooms collected during the hunt. Participants are welcome to keep what they find, but please note that this class is not focused on harvesting edible species. Our emphasis is on learning about a wide diversity of fungi—including non‑edible species—and building a broader understanding of what we encounter in the field.
