Download the Winter 2024/25 Issue of the NYMS Newsletter right here!
December 20, 2024
A new Diatrype virescens iNat project is looking for observations
January 2, 2025
If giving back, spending more time outdoors or creating community are on your New Year’s resolution list, this email is for you.
Despite the drought 2024 was another busy year the New York Mycological Society – 45+ walks, 45+ ID meetings, over a dozen lectures, several major cultural collaborations and events including a two day festival with the New York Botanical Gardens, kids and family events, book club meetings, Spanish-language walks, schools events, DNA workshops, many community partner events, dinner adventures, the return of the banquet, several gorgeous newsletters and the list goes on!
All this goodness was brought to you by a small crew of hardworking, unpaid volunteers. In 2025 we’re once again asking you, our members, to jump in, roll up your sleeves, and add your magic to the mix.
There is a section on our website that lists all the different ways to get your hands dirty (literally and figuratively) with the club. These are not one-off opportunities (there will be some of those throughout the year) but chances to steer a project close to our hearts longer term. Here are the positions we’re looking for the most:
Club Recorder
Minimum commitment: One year
Experience required: Some familiarity with the Latin names of common fungi. You’ll need to be organized and unflappable.What the job involves:The club recorder is responsible for compiling species lists from every NYMS walk. Expert members will provide the names of fungi found during a walk. You’ll then assemble a first draft of the walk list and solicit additions or revisions from other expert members. You might also consult iNaturalist to see if members have posted additional collections not yet on the list. When the list is done you will post it on Facebook, along with a group picture. Finally, you’ll upload the walk list to the club’s database on our website. Additional identifications and revisions may arrive later as a result of microscopy and DNA sequencing, and you’ll amend the database accordingly. About once a year, you’ll convene a meeting of members who are interested in taxonomic nomenclature in order to improve the NYMS species lists by going over name changes. This position might be split between two people. If that is the case, you’d have to work it out with the other recorder to make sure all walks are covered.What the position has to offer:You will become very familiar with the names of North East fungi and acquire some taxonomic expertise. You’ll be a vital contributor to every walk you attend
Reach out to vice.president@newyorkmyc.org if you are interested in this position.
Talks + Workshops Organizer
Minimum commitment: Six months
Experience required: Some event organization experience, interest in various topics in mycology, familiarity with social mediaWhat the job involves:The club has traditionally offered live lectures to its members. With Tom Bigelow’s move to Maine we are looking for a new talks organizer. You will select potential speakers in partnership with club leadership and organize live lectures and workshops in places like the Central Park Arsenal, Pier 57 and members’ homes. You will coordinate travel arrangements and reimbursements with speakers, handle logistics with our venues, create Eventbrite invitations if necessary, and share information about our talks with our members via our website and on our social media.What the position has to offer:You will get to deal with interesting speakers and explore interesting topics in mycology
Reach out to president@newyorkmyc.org if you are interested in this position
Fungus Festival Co-Organizer
Minimum commitment: Until the event (date TBD)
Experience required: Some event organization or team leadership experience, organized, diligent and good communicator. Connections to local communities and organizations a plus!What the job involves:We are looking for a 2025 NYMS Fungal Festival organizer to work along two other members to help bring this beautiful event back. We are looking for a person who can contribute couple hours starting now with increasing hours towards summer and fall. You will take the lead on a number of tasks, eg communications, event logistics or volunteer management.What the position has to offer:You will interact with a wide variety of people united by a love of fungi and community; you will hone your organizational skills
Reach out to president@newyorkmyc.org if you are interested in this position
NYMS Partnership Event Representative
Minimum commitment: Six months
Experience required: Familiarity with NYMS’ mission and values, passion for community partnerships and outreach, some knowledge of fungal biology and common species.What the job involves:Represent NYMS at partnership events, either by co-hosting a table or co-lead a walk .What the position has to offer:You will get to interact with partner organizations and the general public and gain experience representing the club.
Reach out to president@newyorkmyc.org if you are interested in this position
Walk Leader
Minimum commitment: Two walks a year or more
Experience required: Familiarity with a park NYMS visits and our typical walk routesWhat the job involves:Greeting members, taking photograph, handing out hand lenses, explaining walk protocol, directing group, set the pace, ensure group stays together. Taxonomic expertise is not required – you will be accompanied by a member with taxonomic expertiseWhat the position has to offer:You will acquire or hone group leadership skills and meet many new and old members
Reach out to president@newyorkmyc.org if you are interested in this position
Pitch in and help make 2025 another great year for the club!
We look forward to your applications.
-Sigrid Jakob
President, NYMS
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