Fall Fungi Frolic 2026

Follow NCLC Stewardship Manager Eric Owen on a guided walk through the forests at Circle Creek Habitat Reserve, where you will observe the wide variety of fungi found within them. We will investigate the roles different mushrooms undertake in their respective environments and how they interact with their fellow inhabitants.

This Together in Nature program is free, but registration is required!

Outing Details: This mycology-focused hike will follow one or more of the trails at Circle Creek with uneven terrain and easy to moderate difficulty. We will be meandering at a relatively slow pace, but rain boots or waterproof hiking boots are strongly recommended, as we may have to traverse through mud and/or up short inclines. No dogs allowed on site.

What to Bring: Water and snacks. Please wear sturdy walking shoes and dress for the day’s weather. Bring a hand lens or magnifying glass if you have one.

About the Guide

Eric Owen was born in Grand Junction, Colorado. He grew up in a suburban neighborhood of San Diego, where his love of nature developed in the backyard, searching for bugs, and on the beach, fascinated by intertidal and marine life. After living in northern California for seven years, with a deep appreciation for the coastal redwood forests, he moved to Oregon in 2010 to be nearer to his immediate family, who all live in the state. He completed his bachelor’s degree at Oregon State University in 2014, where he majored in environmental science with a minor in writing. Eric got his start at NCLC that same year, working in a team of three as part of NCLC’s first stewardship intern crew. He returned in 2015 as a Land Steward, working in that role for several years before transitioning to Stewardship Manager in late 2023. In addition to his passion for conservation ecology, some of his interests include soccer, skateboarding, puzzling, mushroom hunting, and bird watching.