Pilze Sammeln - Einführungsseminar

In the organizer's words:

Mushroom picking - intensive course for beginners

Compact course with online module and practical day

This mushroom picking course is aimed at beginners who want to acquire a solid foundation for safe picking in a short space of time. The format was deliberately designed to be compact and does not replace several years of study in mycology, but provides a solid foundation for independent practice in the forest.

The aim of the course is to safely recognize the 5 to 10 most common and relevant edible mushroom species, classify them correctly and avoid typical confusion risks. The focus is not on the number of species, but on the reliability of identification. Participants also learn explicitly when mushrooms should not be collected.

Experienced mushroom expert Victor Grönke will be the professional guide. The all-day practical day in the forest is preceded by a 1.5-hour online module in which the necessary theoretical basics are taught. This allows the excursion to focus entirely on practical identification work.

Didactic approach and safety focus

The course combines digital knowledge transfer with intensive field work. The aim is to significantly reduce the risk when collecting wild mushrooms. Due to the complexity of the subject area, the course is designed as a structured introduction. Advanced courses are available for more in-depth study.

After completing the course, participants will have mastered the essential identification features of selected key species and will have clear criteria for deciding when a find should be discarded. In addition, legal framework conditions and ecological contexts are taught.

Contents
Online module (1.5 hours, evening before)

Structure of the mushroom fruiting body: lamellae, pores, stem, cap and special features such as ring and sheath

Legal basics: collection rules, protected areas, permitted collection quantities

Site studies: suitable and unsuitable collection sites, soil contamination

Assessment of edibility: age, decomposition, infestation

Overview of the most common edible mushroom species

Way of life and ecological requirements as an aid to identification

The online unit will be recorded and made available afterwards.

Practical day in the forest (full day)

Fungi in the ecosystem: substrates, mycorrhizal partners and habitat connection

Systematic identification on site using identification keys

Safe differentiation of edible species and relevant poisonous mushrooms

Application of structured decision rules for practical use

Learning materials and follow-up

All participants receive access to the digital learning platform. This includes the recording of the online module, presentation slides and a curated bibliography. In addition, a bound seminar script will be issued to make the content permanently accessible.

Dates, location and organization

Berlin 2026 - Mushroom picking intensive course

11.09.2026 | 17:30-19:00 - Online module

12.09.2026 | 09:00-16:00 - Practical day in the forest

Location: Surroundings of the Wannsee S-Bahn station (Berlin)

Maximum group size: 14 people
Registration at: https://waldsamkeit.de/pilze-sammeln-kurs-einfuehrung/

Price information:

Registration on the site required