Steve Trudell

Dr. Steve Trudell is an affiliate curator in the Burke Museum Herbarium at the University of Washington. He has been photographing and identifying mushrooms and studying their ecology for nearly 50 years. Steve serves on the editorial boards of, and has written for, several mycological publications, and frequently serves as foray mycologist or invited lecturer for mycological societies and other nature groups, including four Cordova Fungus Festivals. He is the author of Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest and co-author of Mushrooms of the National Forests in Alaska and the forthcoming Mushrooms of Alaska field guide. In 2014, he received the North American Mycological Association’s Award for Contributions to Amateur Mycology. With degrees in geology and forest ecosystems analysis, Steve has taught mycology and other environmental science courses at the University of Washington, The Evergreen State College, and other institutions. His research interests include mycorrhizal ecology and the roles of fungi in forest nutrient cycling.

Aviva Kinoko

Meet Aviva Kinoko. Born in Israel, Aviva is an eco-world traveler passionate about working and volunteering in mushroom farms around the world. She is a phenomenal painter, artist, and yoga instructor. She teaches Hebrew as well as speaks Spanish and is learning Arabic. In her free time, Aviva loves to cook, eat mushrooms, and be in nature with her beloved dog Amadou! Her vivacious attitude towards life brings out the best in others around her.

Ken Hodges

Recently retired from the USFS- Cordova Ranger District, Ken has taken several mycology and fleshy fungi courses at Humboldt State University under the strict tutelage of Dr. David “Sergeant” Largent. His main fungal interests include identifying edible mushrooms and testing their culinary properties. Ken has lived in Cordova for 15+ years and spent most of that time "on the hunt" for anything that will cook up well or be preserved.

Erin Cooper

A Wildlife Biologist for the Forest Service, her work has ranged from shorebirds and waterfowl to mountain goats and moose with a focus on ecosystems of the Copper River Delta. She is an avid forager and local Artist and will be teaching the Mushroom Identification 101 Class

Madison Seigler

Madison Seigler is the forester here in Cordova, part of the Chugach National Forest. Her main interest is in forest pathogens and damaging agents affecting the local ecosystem. In her free time, she likes to surround herself with people and dogs.

Christina Das

Christina Das is a Biological Science Technician with the U.S. Forest Service. Christina is passionate about all things wild food, with an affinity for mushrooms. In addition, she is especially interested in the mycelial findings from “The Mother Tree” project (Suzanne Simard). When not in the forest Christina enjoys traveling, making music, and all the wellness activities.