Last weekend (26–28 September 2025), members of the Estonian Mycological Society and invited participants gathered for the annual autumn fungal foray, exploring diverse landscapes in Lääne-Viru County (Virumaa).

The program began Friday at Pajuveski village, with visits to the Vainupea coastal dunes and Eisma pine forest, followed by an evening mushroom quiz. Saturday featured excursions to the Padaoru Landscape Protection Area and the old pine forests near Uljaste bog, with an evening presentation on the Mushroom of the Year, Heterobasidion. The event concluded on Sunday with walks through Lontova cliff forest and Kunda manor park, with optional visits to surrounding bogs and grasslands.

This year, some of our own soil ecology team members (Maarja Öpik, Bo Maxwell Stevens, and Isaac Perkis) joined in the foray. While mushroom collecting and identification were at the heart of the program, participation offered more than just an opportunity to collect and observe mushrooms. For our group, the event was a chance to connect with Estonia’s wider mycological community, observe fungi in their natural habitats, and exchange perspectives. Northern Estonia hosts a striking diversity of mushrooms, from common forest-floor species to others emerging from trees. While many participants enthusiastically collected and identified fungi, the event also offered the chance to enjoy Estonia’s autumn landscapes, connect with colleagues, and meet new people. For those less drawn to mushroom baskets, the foray provided a pleasant opportunity to appreciate the natural settings and cultural landmarks of northern Estonia. The annual fungal foray continues to highlight both the biodiversity of Estonia’s fungi and the strong community of mycologists, naturalists, and enthusiasts who study and celebrate them.