Congratulations to the Gary Lincoff Scholarship winners: Adrienne Perry and Thursday Azul Silverman
May 22, 2026
Starting in June the NYMS will launch a study/working group called NEST—Northeast Sequencing Team. The purpose of NEST is to further in-depth research into groups of under-studied mushrooms native to New York City and the surrounding area. The goal is to collect target species of mushrooms and fungi of interest to the group, complete high quality macro and microscopic observations of them, and sequence their DNA. You do not need to have previous experience in microscopy or sequencing to join NEST (though it will be quite valuable if you do). The group will meet periodically (approximately once a month) on Zoom to discuss projects, techniques and results. NEST is led by Matthew Rozanoff.
The first meeting of NEST will be on June 18th at 7PM. Please RSVP at this page if you would like to join. It’s okay to lurk if you’re not sure that you’re ready to commit.
Why join NEST
The joy of mushrooms extends far beyond woodland discovery and culinary delicacies. We have the opportunity to look closely at the organisms around us and learn what they are and how they relate to one another. We are looking for members who would like to investigate a group of mushrooms more closely, so that we can know our local diversity even better!
We are in a golden age of mushroom exploration! Never has it been so easy to learn about mushrooms though the club, lectures, online resources, or even DNA sequencing! Anybody can send in a mushroom to be sequenced and be returned with extremely valuable results. You can discover new species, rediscover old ones, and decipher confusing groups! Even in the heart of one of the world’s largest metropolises, we can find extremely rare fungi!
Here are some intriguing results from the heart of NYC in Central Park:
Rhodocybe “sp-NY01”, save one specimen from Missouri, this has only been found in NYC! But why? How can an urban environment such as our city be the center of life for an unknown mushroom?
Cortinarius albobrunnescens, only sequenced thirteen times, three of which from NYC. Interestingly there are sequences from colder northern climates, and Florida, but not in between! What is the story there?
Bloxamia sp. ‘NY01’, a mushroom growing on the roots (rhizomes) of another mushroom! The only sequence of its kind, meaning no one has sequenced this from anywhere in the world, except Central Park. With such a small specimen it raises more questions than it answers, but that only intrigues us more!
If such remarkable unrecognized diversity can exist in three samples from Central Park, we can only imagine the diversity that exists collectively. In order to find and learn about amazing fungi such as these, NEST will document them thoroughly on iNaturalist, do microscopy, and send dried mushrooms for DNA sequencing. Sometimes, just these simple steps can help clarify a muddled genus or family, and that allows us to identify better, learn more, and become active participants piece in mycology. If you would like to participate, but don’t know where to start, or don’t feel qualified, don’t worry! Join NEST and we will show you the ropes 🙂
Here is a link to the page where you can RSVP or join the Thursday, June 18th meeting
