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Mushroom Festival
Woodpecker Flies
Upcoming Events
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Insect Insights: Woodpecker Flies
"If you want to learn more about today’s insect, you’d better search for its genus name, Medetera, and not its common name, Woodpecker Fly. That is, unless you’d like to read about soaring Pileated or Acorn woodpeckers."
Learn more about the praying mantis in our latest Insect Insights blog by Karen Richards.
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White Oak Pavilion, Now Booking 2027!
Getting married, hosting a party, or looking for a retreat space in 2026 or 2027? Dates are filling up fast to book our White Oak Pavilion, so reach out now to reserve your spot in this unforgettable venue.
To book or learn more, please email
events@mountpisgaharboretum.org
| As we approach the giving season, we hope you will remember the vital role Mount Pisgah Arboretum plays in our community's wellbeing and include us in your year-end giving plans if you are able. Your support is the foundation of this treasured place, where nature and community peacefully thrive together. |
Explore the Arboretum on a Track Chair!
We are proud to host two all-terrain track chairs through the organization David's Chair. They are free to use and can be reserved in advance through our website or by calling our office.
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In-Kind Wishlist
Hay Bales
We reuse hay bales year after year for our festival seating and many of our trusty bales have worn out. Contact us if you have spare hay bales and we can let you know where to drop them off. If you anticipate having extra hay bales in the future, please let us know.
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Species of the Month
Splitgill Mushroom
Splitgill mushrooms (Schizophyllum commune) are a long-lived species that can be found in the Arboretum for much of the year. This stunning, yet unassuming mushroom is a fascinating showcase of natural diversity and environmental adaptation in our local ecology.
- Splitgill mushrooms grow on dead and decaying wood in shelf-like arrangements, as illustrated in the image above.
- Splitgill mushrooms have adapted to survive for long stretches of time even with sporadic rains by drying up and then rehydrating.
- Splitgills have even been found growing in deep sub-seafloor sediment! In these environments they can generate energy anaerobically.
- Many mushroom species have large numbers of different mating types (equivalent to sexes), splitgills feature approximately 23,000 different possible mating types.
- Splitgills can glow blue under uv light!
- Splitgill mushrooms have shown promise as a natural, agricultural insecticide to combat tobacco cutworms.
- Splitgill mushrooms are often considered inedible in the US and Europe due to their tough texture, but they are eaten widely throughout Asia and used in traditional medicine.
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In Northeast India, splitgills are frequently used as an ingredient for the Manipuri dish paaknam. If you try this recipe, let us know how it is!
| Photo by Fred Hall, Daily Emerald |
Mushroom Festival 2025
We had a blast playing in the rain with all of you at the Mushroom Festival a couple weeks ago! Thousands of you braved the rain to explore more than 300 mushrooms on display (thanks to our incredible partners at Cascade Mycological Society and Lane Community College), learn from experts, eat hearty mushroom treats, dance to live music, and celebrate fungi and community. Once again, a rainbow closed out a very special and soggy day.
It is so magical to see so many in our community come together around local ecology and work hard to make it happen, we deeply appreciate your support and enthusiasm.
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We can't wait to do it again with you next year! In the meantime, don't forget there's more fun to be had... mushroom season continues, catch our guided nature tours, workshops, and work parties, and celebrate local more local ecology with us at the 2026 Wildflower Festival this May!
P.S. We still have Mushroom Festival t-shirts, tote bags, hats, stickers, and sweat shirts. Swing by our office to purchase, reach out if you'd like more information about what we have in stock.
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Oaks of the Land: Acorns for the People:
Ecology and Sustenance of a Wild Local Food
Saturday, November 22nd 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Have you ever wanted to try eating acorns? We will explore the role of oaks in the more-than-human world around us, the botany and identification of oaks, and also how human needs can be met when we help take care of the oaks. The workshop offers perspectives on the role of oaks in Indigenous ecological science, foodways, and worldview. We will practice hands-on techniques using manual methods of processing, with the goal of making this widespread traditional food accessible to you. In a changing landscape, with oak ecosystems shrinking and an unpredictable climate, looking to our local oaks for sustenance is a truly sustainable solution to food security issues.
Instructors:
Heron Brae, botanist, wild food teacher, and educator at Live Oak Consulting
Joe Scott, member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and curriculum director for the Traditional Ecological Inquiry Program.
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Upcoming Nature Tours
All guided tours start at the Mount Pisgah Arboretum Education Building. Pre-registration is required. Members and kids under 4 are FREE, Non-Members $5 per person.
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November Bird Tour
Sunday, November 9th 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Join Mieko Aoki and Julia Siporin for another monthly bird outing intended for people with all levels of birding experience. We’ll use vocalizations, habitat, and behavior clues for identification of our year-round residents and fall migrants.
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Upcoming Work Parties
Become a steward of the Arboretum by helping us improve and maintain our facilities and habitat during our Work Parties!
During Work Parties, volunteers help us keep our trails, facilities, and park clean, accessible, and beautiful! No experience is required to volunteer on these days, and we will provide tools, gloves, and a parking pass.
All work parties meet at the bottom of the parking lot near the shop (just past the bright orange trailer).
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Oak Savanna Trail Work Party
Saturday, November 8th 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join us for annual maintenance of the oak savanna trail, we will be repairing switchbacks and brushing out the trail.
Fuel Reduction Work Party
Saturday, November 22nd 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join us in removing woody material and removing scotch broom and other invasives from our incense-cedar forest.
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Get Involved
Want to make a difference in other ways? We are always looking for nature guides, trail stewards, park ambassador volunteers, and many other roles. Let's talk about how you can get involved with the Arboretum.
Learn more about some of the opportunities here.
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