Trees For Tomorrow to offer nature programs this month

Trees For Tomorrow (TFT) has two upcoming outdoor education programs in August: a guided nature hike and a mushroom foraging class.

Guided nature hike

The guided hike will take place Saturday, Aug. 23, from noon to 3 p.m. Participants will meet at TFT’s campus in Eagle River and caravan to the Tara Lila Sundstein Road Trailhead.

Led by a TFT naturalist, the hike is open to ages 15 and up and offers the chance to explore one of the Northwoods’ hidden gems.
As participants walk through the late-summer woods, they’ll listen for warblers and woodpeckers and discover often-overlooked details like fungi, animal tracks, and moss-covered stumps.

“This is a chance to experience nature through a more curious lens,” said Bethany Heft, TFT environmental educator and program coordinator. “Our naturalist will help participants uncover fascinating details about the plants, wildlife, and ecology that make the Northwoods so unique.”

The hike will last 1.5 to 2 hours and cover 1 to 2 miles of occasionally uneven terrain. The small-group format allows for questions, exploration, and quiet reflection.

This outdoor program will take place rain or shine. Participants should dress for the weather, wear sturdy footwear, and bring water. Restrooms are available at TFT and the trailhead, but not along the trail.

Thanks to a partnership with Tara Lila, the hike is free, but space is limited and registration is required.

Register online at treesfortomorrow.com/current-activities or call 715-479-6456 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Mushroom foraging

TFT’s Sustainable Living Institute will host a mushroom foraging program on Thursday, Aug. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Led by local mycology expert Anne Small, the program will cover where, when, how, and what to forage safely.

“Wild mushrooms can offer health benefits, but only when properly identified,” said TFT environmental educator Casey Sprotte. “The number one rule is to only collect what you know is safe and are 100% confident in your ID. A surefire way to get an upset stomach — or worse — is to eat plants you haven’t correctly identified.”

The day begins with two hours of classroom instruction on fungi biology, followed by a short lunch break (participants should bring their own). The afternoon field session will take place in a nearby forest and may include off-trail exploration.

Small, who began collecting mushrooms as a child with her mother — Cora Mollen, author of “Fascinating Fungi of the Northwoods” — has a Master of Science in ecology and environmental science from the University of Maine. She has led the Northstate Mycological Club for 22 years.

“Her expertise is a great starting point for beginners and is also accessible for intermediate foragers,” Sprotte added.

The class costs $55 per individual or $85 per couple and includes a foraging guide. Registration is required and space is limited.

Register at treesfortomorrow.com/current-activities. For more information, contact Casey Sprotte at casey@treesfortomorrow.com or 715-479-6456.