Jim Jones, affectionately known as "Mushroom Jim", founded the Bamfield Mushroom Festival. Jim, who insists he is not a mycologist, holds a M.A. in Environmental Science, and a passion for all things fungal. Part of Jim's initial attraction to relocate in Bamfield was the proximity to nature, in particular, the diversity of mushrooms in the surrounding area.

Jim began leading mushroom workshops on Saturdays at the Bamfield Community School, followed by guided forays into the forest. These usually concluded with wild mushroom feasts around the fire with a couple other mushroom enthusiasts, Brunhilde and Terry, who together loosely referred to themselves as the "Mushroom Club". Jim decided to share his infectious enthusiasm and extensive knowledge with the Bamfield community at large. This was in 2003, and with very few volunteers and even less money, the 1st Annual Bamfield Mushroom Festival was born.

For three years, Jim (along with Jane) gave the festival and the mushroom workshops leading up to it, his all. During this time, Jim travelled to Sicamous to help develop a mushroom based event there, and currently he teaches a wild mushroom workshop in the fall at Royal Roads University in Victoria. In 2006 however, a variety of circumstances forced Jim to relocate and consequently relinquish the planning of the Bamfield festival to the community, with "Mushroom Jim" promising to return annually to lend his expertise.

These past few years have seen the event grow to attract about half its attendees from out of town. People have been known to travel from all over B.C. and from as far away as Washington and Oregon to participate. In 2006 for the first time, the hall was filled near to capacity for dinner. In 2007, 2008 and 2009 it was full!

Currently, the planning committee is working hard to bring you the 8th Annual Bamfield Mushroom Festival on Saturday, October 2, 2010 which we hope folks will enjoy as much as the past seven.