If you've been interested in mushrooming in Washington, it's just a matter of time before you encounter Paul Stamets.

His posts often begin with the breezy greeting, "Hey, Fungal Friends." His website is a smörgåsbord of TED Talks, links to cutting-edge research, nods to current projects, and many, many pictures of himself — Paul Stamets, mycologist extraordinaire— holding up mushrooms like some might display hunting trophies.

This story began in Olympia, Washington, where Stamets attended the Evergreen State College. After graduating in 1979, Stamets became a logger. Disinterested in pursuing his studies further, he credits his brother for instilling his passion for mycology. In the following years, Stamets would become something of a citizen scientist, quickly outstripping other experts to become a leading authority in his field. He's been awarded honorary degrees, including a doctorate, along with awards for his insightful research, and was featured heavily in the 2019 documentary Fantastic Fungi.

It's hard to tell if Stamets' lack of formal study makes him the field's ultimate outsider or if he's mycology's ultimate insider. Whatever your opinion, he's undoubtedly a pervasive influence in modern mushrooming, raising the profile of everything from foraging and growing to fungi's medicinal applications.

While it's tempting to paint him as a mere mycophile, it's worth noting that Stamets' contributions have deep mycelia in hard science. Given the nature of his work, particularly his studies about psychedelic-assisted therapy, there are scores of people willing to write him off. To counter this stigma, his publications are peer-reviewed and procedurally meticulous.

And in the Puget Sound area, Stamets has inspired a mushroom renaissance. It's worth mentioning that Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest have harvested and eaten local mushrooms since time immemorial, but with the advent of foraging guides and mushrooming groups, the practice is more accessible than ever.

It bears repeating that mushrooming is a hobby with big rewards and big risks. Never consume what you pick without being 100 percent certain you've identified it correctly. If you're a greenhorn, meet-ups are a great way to learn the ropes.

So long as it's done safely, legally, and with respect for the environment, mushrooming is a great way to meet people and get outdoors. Once you know how to spot and ID fungi, you'll see that they're everywhere, particularly in the wet forest climate of Western Washington. Local green spaces like Federation Forest State Park can be a boon in peak season, but don't expect avid foragers to give up their favorite places. Like fishing, these jackpot spots are held close to the chest.

Learning what's edible in your environment adds a new dimension to your appreciation of Washington's stunning scenery.

And even if you come up empty-handed on your first excursions, your attunement to your surroundings helps you appreciate what otherwise might have gone unnoticed.

If you're interested in mushrooming in Washington, you're bound to encounter Paul Stamets' work. His stature in mycology and advocacy for hands-on foraging has played an enormous part in the growing popularity of mushrooming, and — whatever you think of him — there's no denying he's one of the most prominent figures in our state's environmentalist community.