The West Virginia Mushroom Club
The 2025 Lineup
Dr. Shannon Nix
Shannon investigates the impacts that management and other land-use practices have on the composition and diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi in post-agricultural and transitional forests. She has has an interest in how ectomycorrhizal fungal community structure is affected in forests impacted by invasive pests and climate change. She has been heavily involved in the Red Spruce Forest project, documenting the fungal diversity in a unique patch of forest in the Canaan Valley, and co-instructed last year's Field to Lab Course. Shannon will demonstrate how to use iNaturalist at the foray.
Charlie Aller
Charlie Aller, is a nature lover, myco-freak and co-founder of Mush Luv. He is the first ever known human specimen to be fully myceliated and controlled by a foreign fungal species.
Pat Mitchell
Pat Mitchell, President and Co-Founder of the Blue Ridge Mycological Society, started his journey into the world of mycology in 2012. Among other fungal focuses, fluorescence has been an early fascination along his way. In recent years, Pat has been giving mycology talks, leading mushroom walks and UV night walks for his local Parks and Rec and also for various mycology events. Compelled by deep curiosity, he has enjoyed this topic as it explores a world that is otherwise unseen and unoticed. While not in the woods looking for fungi, Pat lives with his wife and 3 kids in Lynchburg VA working in construction fixing slate roofs or remodeling bathrooms.
Alisha grew up exploring the forests of Northeast Ohio, developing a deep love for the outdoors, wild edibles, and gardening. Seeking a milder climate, she moved south, where her passion for nature continued to flourish. In 2017, she earned her Master Gardener certification, further fueling her interest in foraging. After discovering the Alabama Mushroom Society, she immersed herself in fungi identification, continually expanding her expertise in Alabama’s diverse mushroom species.
Dedicated to education and conservation, Alisha strives to inspire curiosity about fungi while promoting responsible stewardship of our wild spaces. She served two terms as President of the Alabama Mushroom Society and continues to lead as Chair of its Collection Committee. She also sits on the Executive Board of the North American Mycological Association as a Trustee at Large, contributes to NAMA’s Vouchering and Nominating Committees, coordinates the Southeast Rare Fungi Challenge with the Fungal Diversity Survey, and serves as the Assistant Curator of Fungi for the University of West Alabama Herbarium.
Bill Yule
Bill Yule has been active in mycological education for 30 plus years and has given many education programs throughout the country. He is a retired High School Biology teacher and Environmental Educator. In addition, he taught Ecology and Environmental Education at The Connecticut River Museum for 20 years and worked on three environmental educational boats on the CT River. Bill likes bugs. But also mushrooms, and has a real knack for finding, explaining and elucidating us on the beautiful relationships in our natural world.