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Abstract The Mid-Atlantic region of the eastern USA, spanning New York to North Carolina, has a long history of mushroom harvesting that has not received much formal study. A survey was distributed to mushroom harvesters in this region during 2022 and 2023, yielding 826 participants. This survey sought to document: (1) which mushroom species are harvested in the region and their common uses; (2) harvest practices intended to sustain the resource; and (3) how harvesters learn the skills they need to safely harvest. The most popular mushroom species harvested were found to be edible or medicinal, with 84 genera containing 160 species. Harvest practices often incorporate sustainability-oriented activities, such as trying to promote the distribution of desirable species by spreading spores. Harvesters reported learning ecological and biocultural knowledge through traditional sources such as family and friends; however, social media and internet resources, including social media and identification applications (apps), have emerged as increasingly important learning resources, particularly for easy-to-identify foraged species. The connections developed through social media have resulted in some harvesters developing community science projects, frequently incorporating digital platforms. Through these platforms, harvesters coordinate regional and global projects that permit them to share knowledge with other harvesters, highlighting their growing importance to mycological knowledge.
Wrobleski et al. (Tue,) studied this question.