Rooted in 20 years of local experience
Founder & Lead Guide
Jayme Castro
I grew up in Mount Shasta, where a fascination with wild mushrooms became the beginning of a much deeper curiosity about the natural world around me. For more than 20 years, I've explored the forests, seasons, and landscapes of this region—learning through observation, identification, foraging, and countless hours spent in the field.
My path began with mushrooms and eventually grew into a broader interest in how everything fits together: fungi, plants, trees, geology, and the many interconnected stories of the landscapes that make the Mount Shasta region such a fascinating place to explore.
That curiosity led me to create Shasta Forage and to found the Mount Shasta Mycological Society, with the goal of sharing what I've learned and helping others experience this landscape with a more observant and curious eye.
Today, mushrooms remain at the heart of what I teach, while Shasta Forage is growing into something broader—an opportunity to explore the natural history of Mount Shasta through immersive, place-based experiences led by people who know and love this region.
My hope is that you leave not only having learned something new, but seeing the landscape a little differently than you did before.
-
20+ Years of Local Field Experience
-
Northern California Mushroom Specialist
-
Mushroom Identification & Foraging Educator
Matsutake
Fall Forage Feature
Join two experienced Mount Shasta mushroom guides for an immersive matsutake foraging experience. Learn about matsutake ecology, habitat, hunting and harvesting techniques, and how to distinguish matsutake from potentially toxic look-alikes. Along the way, we’ll identify other fungi we encounter, from edible to toxic and fascinating species.
Private hunts available by request. Inquire at info@shastaforage.com
What You'll Discover
Mushroom Identification
Uncover the subtle clues that experienced foragers use to recognize wild mushrooms in their natural habitat.
Forest Ecology
Understand the hidden relationships between fungi, trees, and forest ecosystems.
Mushroom Myths and Misconceptions
Explore common mushroom myths and learn how to separate folklore from real foraging and identification knowledge.
Hands-On Learning
Learn through direct observation as we examine mushrooms together and talk through the features that help identify them.
