Fungi have both beneficial and harmful effects on humans. Some species of fungi, specifically wild mushrooms can be poisonous, and cause illness if ingested. On the other hand, Fungi are instrumental in processing foods to give them special fragrances and odors. Foods such as peanuts to cacao beans wouldn’t have the taste they do without fungi. As a whole, fungi have been more beneficial to humans than harmful.
At Whittemore there are some species of fungi that are present. The easiest species to spot are wild mushrooms, which are dispersed in small clusters throughout the trails. However, the majority of fungi are single-celled organisms that are too small for the human eye to see.
Whittemore Preserve was bequeathed to Tewksbury Township by the beloved Helen A. Whittemore. She was a nature lover and diarist who wanted her land and house to be preserved so that others may be awed by the natural world and inspired by its beauty to preserve it.
Whittemore Preserve includes Whittemore House and 11 miles of trails for hiking, dog walking, and horseback riding. Trails traverse mainly wooded areas with wetlands, ravines, and hilly terrain. The sanctuary also serves as the perfect stage for birders and nature lovers to view local avian species and other wildlife.