As part of its speaker series, the Sooke Region Museum has an exciting new guest coming by to talk plants and fungi.
“Plants are fascinating. Fungi are fascinating. But for sheer entertainment value, it’s difficult to beat plants plus fungi,” writes Michelle Richard, the executive director of the Sooke Region Museum & Visitor Centre.
“Fungi have been associated with plants since plants first colonized the land and are requisite partners of almost all of our familiar Sooke plants.”
Forest ecologist Andy MacKinnon will make an appearance at the Sooke Region Museum for a fun and informative discussion about local plants and their relationships with fungi.
MacKinnion is the co-author of six best-selling guidebooks to B.C. plants, and he also authored the Royal BC Museum Handbook, Mushrooms of British Columbia.
Over a 30-year career with the BC Forest Service, MacKinnon defined and implemented ecosystem-based management in Haida Gwaii and the Great Bear Rainforest. He’s taught rainforest ecology field courses in Bamfield, Tofino and Haida Gwaii, with the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia.
Now a retired professional forester and biologist, a resident of the South Vancouver Island Mycological Society, and board chair for Habitat Acquisition Trust, he will bring his knowledge to the people of Sooke.
“He is an enthusiastic advocate for conservation and responsible resource management,” writes Richard.
Plants & Fungi with Andy MacKinnon will be at the Sooke Region Museum and Visitor Centre on Saturday, June 14 at 1 p.m. Admission will be by donation.
