What we learned from the Montana Morel Poisonings in 2023: Are morels really safe to eat?

Cathy is Professor Emerita at Montana State University where she taught courses in mycology
and did research on fungi for 27 years. She has written numerous scientific articles, is co-author
of The Essential Guide to Rocky Mountain Mushrooms by Habitat, co-editor of Arctic and Alpine
Mycology 8, and editor of Fungi in Forest Ecosystems. As an Arctic-alpine mycologist, she has
collected mushrooms in many Arctic areas as well as for over 50 years in the Rocky Mountains.
Her research on the mycorrhizal fungi of whitebark pine and aspen involved their use in
reforestation. Cathy has given talks to many mushroom clubs, led local forays, identifies fungi
for the Denver Poison Center, was chief mycologist for three NAMA forays and a recipient of the
NAMA award for Contributions to Amateur Mycology. After twenty years of living in a Colorado
cabin, followed by graduate school at Virginia Tech, she moved to Bozeman Montana. She has
collected and consumed morels, and other edible mushrooms, for over 50 years.