This is the perfect course for beginners looking to further their fungi identification skills by looking more closely at the characteristics needed to start using keys. This course is a great accompaniment to our ‘Autumn Fungi: An Introduction’ course which covers key identification features of fungi in greater depth. Using commonly encountered groups of fungi the course will focus on spore printing as a technique in the identification process. The course will introduce you to different types of keys and how to use them to identify a species to genus including written, digital and online. You will also gain an understanding of the importance of these species for ecology, conservation, and recording.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Create spore prints from different fungi species and use them to aid ID.
• Understand how to get started with a key, become familiar with different types of keys, and gain experience in using a basic key to genus.
• Understand non-taxonomic and taxonomic classifications, why classification systems are important and subject to change.
• Explain the key morphological features that distinguish agarics, boletes and tooth fungi, how to collect them for identification and explain how to use these features for ID to genus level in agarics.
• Share this knowledge with friends, family, and fellow volunteers.

To book your place, click here