Mushrooms at Work

As autumn leaves settle onto the forest floor and cooler temperatures arrive, mushrooms begin appearing throughout the woods. Their colors, shapes, and unexpected locations often spark curiosity, but mushrooms are much more than seasonal decorations. They are signs that an important process is taking place beneath our feet.

Fall is one of the best times to find mushrooms because many fungi produce their fruiting bodies when conditions are cool and moist. Recent rains and lower temperatures create ideal conditions for a wide variety of species to emerge.

When most people think of fungi, they picture the mushroom. However, the mushroom is only a small part of a much larger organism. Hidden underground or within decaying wood is a network of thread-like structures called mycelium. This unseen portion of the fungus is often busy long before a mushroom appears.

Fungi play a critical role in ecosystems as decomposers. They break down fallen leaves, dead trees, and other organic material that would otherwise accumulate on the landscape. Through this process, nutrients are released back into the soil where they can be used by plants and other organisms.

The next time you notice a fallen log slowly returning to the earth, consider the hidden community of fungi helping make that transformation possible. Even when no mushrooms are visible, mycelium may be hard at work recycling nutrients and supporting the health of the forest.

This month, Crossroads invites visitors to discover the fascinating world of fungi through a variety of mushroom-themed experiences. Throughout November, guests can enjoy a self-guided storybook walk along Meadow Trail featuring Mushrooms Know: Wisdom from Our Friends the Fungi by Kallie George. Beginning at the west trailhead, the story unfolds along the trail, combining outdoor exploration with lessons from the fungal kingdom. Inside the Collins Learning Center, hands-on exploration stations will offer learners of all ages opportunities to investigate mushrooms and their role in nature.

For those who prefer to learn alongside a naturalist, join us on Wednesday, November 4, at 1:30 p.m. for Wandering Wednesday. This free, guided hike explores seasonal changes in the preserve and often reveals fungi, wildlife, and other signs of autumn along the trail.

Young nature enthusiasts can continue the exploration during Nature Club on Thursday, November 5, at 1 p.m. Children ages 6-8 are invited to discover, investigate, and learn about the outdoors through hands-on activities. Preschool-aged children and their families can join Junior Nature Club on Friday, November 6, at 10 a.m. for a morning of outdoor adventure and discovery.

The fungi theme continues on Friday, November 6, at 1:30 p.m. with Fantastic Fungi: Movers & Shapers of Forest Ecosystems. Former University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor of Tree and Forest Health Glen Stanosz will explore the important role fungi play in maintaining healthy forests and ecosystems. If you’ve ever wondered what mushrooms are doing beneath the surface, this program offers a chance to learn from an expert.

And while fungi may be the focus this month, nature offers plenty of other surprises. On Monday, November 9, at 3:15 p.m., children ages 6-12 can join Crossroads Critter Club: Let’s Get Batty to learn about some of the forest’s most fascinating flying mammals.

The combination of moisture, cooler temperatures, and abundant organic material makes autumn an especially rewarding season to explore fungi. As you walk the trails at Crossroads, take a closer look at fallen leaves, decaying logs, and tree stumps. You may discover mushrooms in surprising colors and forms, or evidence of fungi quietly carrying out one of nature’s most important jobs.

For those interested in mushroom hunting, remember that many edible species have poisonous look-alikes. Never eat a wild mushroom unless it has been positively identified by an experienced expert.

So, this month at Crossroads, take a hike, follow a story, attend a program, and look a little closer. You may discover that some of the most important work in the forest is being done by organisms that are mostly hidden from view.