In the coastal town of Claromecó, in the region of Tres Arroyos, 600 km from Buenos Aires City, wild mushrooms have ceased to be a topic reserved for laboratories or gourmet kitchens and have become the focus of a burgeoning tourist and educational experience. Led by Emilia García Ventureyra, coordinator of the Claromecó Fungi event, the first mycotourism route in the province of Buenos Aires is being consolidated.
## Claromecó Fungi: citizen science and forest exploration
An annual gathering that brings together researchers, universities, and fungi enthusiasts.
This year marked the third edition of Claromecó Fungi, an event that convenes CONICET researchers, national universities such as UBA, UNS, San Luis, and Córdoba, and dozens of people curious to learn about the local fungi.
The three-hour identification walks allow participants to recognize species, exchange knowledge, and enjoy the natural environment. The route is activated with just four participants.
## The origin of the project: memory, community, and sustainable cultivation
From a personal quest to collaboration with scientific and educational institutions.
Emilia recounts that her connection with mushrooms began as a personal quest, fueled by childhood memories and the scent of pine mushrooms drying on the stove.
Noticing the lack of available information, she reached out to the Claromecó Agricultural School (EAC) and Pablo Postemsky, director of the Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms Biotechnology Laboratory at CONICET CERZOS, with whom she started a project on edible and medicinal mushroom cultivation in the region.
## Mycotourism: a global trend with local impact
Environmental education, sustainable production, and reconnection with biodiversity.
The mycotourism proposal aims to revalue mushrooms as a natural resource, exploring their nutritional, medicinal, and ecological properties.
Mushrooms are rich in proteins, vitamins, and antioxidants, and can be cultivated with low-cost materials such as cardboard and pruning waste, making them an accessible source of food and employment.
## Notable species: from saffron milk cap to puffball
Among the most valued species is the Lactarius deliciosus, known as saffron milk cap, which grows in pine forests and is distinguished by its orange color, greenish latex, and fruity flavor. Other identified specimens include:
– Flammulina velutipes (enoki)
– Agaricus campestris (wild mushroom)
– Calvatia sp (puffball)
## Fall and spring tourism: an experience between the sea and the forest
Claromecó as a mycotourism destination in the province of Buenos Aires.
While many associate the coast with summer, mycotourism in Claromecó offers a magical alternative in spring and fall, combining the energy of the sea with the richness of the forest.
Emilia aims to position Tres Arroyos as a mycotourism destination, connecting education, conservation, and sustainable tourism.
