Marley, who has been visiting the Edible Botany class since 2005, was there to introduce students to mushrooms as a functional and medicinal food and to offer tips in foraging.

“Maine is home to some of the tastiest wild mushrooms available,” Marley said. “Some of the best edible mushrooms also are among the best-researched medicinal mushrooms.”

Later that day, Greg led both the classes for a mushroom walk in Hulls Cove. While searching for mushrooms, students climbed trees and dug dead botanical debris, collecting nearly two dozen different species. At the end of the walk, students sat under the tree and discussed the common, medicinal, edible and toxic mushrooms that were collected.

“Greg has added much to the teaching of Edible Botany over the years and his visit is always one of highlights of the term,” says Dr. Nishanta Rajakaruna, the instructor for Edible Botany.

Marley — founder of and the force behind Mushrooms for Health ‚ has been collecting, studying, eating, growing and teaching mushrooms for more than 35 years. Marley has spread his passionate love of mushrooms to hundreds through walks, talks and classes held across New England and beyond over the past 20 years.

By profession, he is a clinical social worker that gives training and technical support directed toward suicide prevention through the Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program.

Marley is also author of “Mushrooms for Health; Medicinal Secrets of Northeastern Fungi” (Down East Books, 2009), and the award-winning “Chanterelle Dreams, Amanita Nightmares; The Love Lore and Mystique of Mushrooms” (Chelsea Green, 2010).  He has published an email newsletter on mushrooms for the past six years and is the author of numerous journal and magazine articles on mushrooms.

To learn more about Marley, visit his website.