Editor’s note: We’ve had another successful year at the Mokelumne Current! The students have put together a wonderful newspaper. As usual, there was some excellent work that simply didn’t fit into the print edition, and we’ll be sharing it all here. First up is an interview with Lodi mushroom expert Bob Stahmer, who regularly leads mushroom walks in the Lodi Lake Nature Area.
By Eric Galeno, Heritage Elementary
Q: Did you attend college, if so where? What did you study?
A: I attended College of San Mateo and UC Davis.
Q: When did you start volunteering at Lodi Lake? Did you have to go through training before you could be a docent?
A: Docents do have to go through training to be able to volunteer at Lodi Lake. I currently am an “assistant” docent.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being a docent at Lodi Lake?
A: I enjoy being out in nature, which I am able to do while volunteering at Lodi Lake.
Q: What is your favorite time of day to be on the nature trail? Why?
A: My favorite time of the day to be on the nature trail is in the afternoon.
Q: What animals have you seen on the nature trail? Which is your favorite?
A: My favorite animal to see on the nature is the beaver. I also like seeing foxes and deer.
Q: How many different types of plants grow in the nature area?
A: There are between 150 to 200 different types of plants that grow in the nature area.
Q: How many types of mushrooms grow in the nature area?
A: There are approximately 40 different types of mushrooms that grow in the nature area.
Q: Are any of the mushrooms poisonous?
A: Yes, the death cap and a destroying angel are poisonous. They both grow in the nature area.
Q: Do any animals in the nature area eat the mushrooms?
A: Squirrels are the animals that are most likely to eat mushrooms in the nature area.
Q: How do mushrooms get their names?
A: The poisonous mushrooms got their names because of the death and destruction they have caused to people’s lives.
Q: In what type of environment do mushrooms grow?
A: Mushrooms can grow in many different types of environments. They particularly like moist environments.
Q: Are there any wild mushrooms that people can eat?
A: People can eat blewits and There are blewits, chanterelles and more.
Q: If someone is interested in volunteering at Lodi Lake, what should they do?
A: They should talk to (docent coordinator) Julie Giometti-Wahl.
Q: Are there any opportunities for kids to volunteer at Lodi Lake?
A: He never seen kids volunteer in Lodi Lake. (Editor’s note: Children do volunteer with the Lodi Lake Coastal Cleanup every September and April.)
Q: How can people learn more about what lives in the nature area?
A: Go with people like Jay Bell, mammal expert.
Q: Is there anything else you would like readers to know?
A: Never eat wild mushrooms unless you’re 100% sure it’s good.