Fungi for Beginners

How do you tell a toadstool from a bracket fungus? Or a puffball from an earthstar? Or a waxcap from a webcap?

Fungi for Beginners is a one-day introduction to the remarkable diversity of Britain’s fungi. Designed for those with little or no prior experience, this hands-on course will guide you through the fundamentals of finding, observing, and identifying fungi in the field.

Through a blend of classroom learning and outdoor exploration, you’ll develop the skills to recognise key morphological features and classify specimens into major groups. You’ll gain experience using identification resources, deepen your understanding of fungal ecology, and learn the principles of safe and responsible field practice.

The day includes practical exercises, group activities, and a guided foray in a local greenspace, where you’ll apply what you've learned to wild specimens in their natural habitats.

This course is ideal for anyone with an interest in natural history who is looking to build foundational fungal identification and recording skills.

What will be covered during this course?

• Fungal Biology and Taxonomy: Explore how different groups of fungi are classified, learn the key structures of mushrooms and other fruiting bodies, and understand how taxonomy helps us make sense of fungal diversity.
• Identification Keys: Learn how to use illustrated and dichotomous keys to classify specimens, interpret diagnostic characters, and navigate field guides with growing confidence.
• Fungal Fieldcraft: Discover techniques for locating and documenting fungi safely, ethically, and seasonally, including tips on habitat assessment, photographing specimens, and noting useful field characters.
• Specimen Identification: Examine a range of fresh specimens to develop recognition of important macroscopic features—such as gill attachment, spore-producing structures, textures, and colours—used to identify fungi to group or genus level.
• Recording and Conservation: Learn how fungal records contribute to biodiversity monitoring, how to share your observations with national databases, and why fungi play vital roles in ecosystems and conservation efforts.
• This is NOT a foraging event: Foraging is strictly prohibited on our events and anyone foraging will be asked to leave the event.

Botany and Fungus Specialist: Dr Mark Spencer

Mark Spencer is an experienced and internationally respected botanist. His expertise covers many disciplines including forensic botany, the plants of North-west Europe, invasive species and the history of botanical science. He also works globally as a seasoned writer, public speaker and television presenter. As a forensic botanist, Mark has worked on various missing person enquiries, murders and other serious crimes. He also has a strong interest in identifying and recording fungi.

Fees and refund policy

Non-professional Course Ticket (Free): Select this option if you are a non-professional (e.g. amateur naturalist, local group volunteer, undergraduate student or biological recorder). Tickets subsidised by Barnet Council .

Professional Course Ticket (£50): Select this option if you are a professional (e.g. ecologist, graduate student, researcher or are attending in relation to your vocation).

Ticket fees include an administrative fee of 20% that is non-refundable. This consists of approximately 10% for Eventbrite fees and 10% for time spent by the Biological Recording Company processing the order.

Further cancellation charges will also be incurred for the following:

• 20% admin fee + 10% cancellation fee for cancellations made over 90 days in advance of the date of the course.
• 20% admin fee + 30% cancellation fee for cancellations made within between 30 and 90 days of the date of the course.
• 20% admin fee + 80% cancellation fee for cancellations made within 30 days of the date of the course.

Hendon Town Halll

This course will take place at Hendon Town Hall, with the field component taking place at the nearby Hendon Grove. More information regarding the venue's facilities and how to get there can be found on the Barnet Council website: https://www.barnet.gov.uk/directories/council-buildings/hendon-town-hall

This event is being run as a collaboration between the Biological Recording Company and Barnet Council.