Although little known, the roots of almost every plant in the Australian landscape are intimately entwined with fungi. These clandestine relationships extend beyond trees to include every orchid and most shrubs and grasses. Symbioses are the secret to success in our highly variable climate and nutrient-deficient soils.

Fungi not only help plants access water and nutrients, but also increase their resistance to drought and disease. They build architecture in soils, aerate them, and allow water to gently percolate to deeper horizons. Despite this, ‘the third F’ slips through ideas about nature and conservation that focus on flora and fauna.

In this talk, Alison will share her experiences and knowledge about the role of fungi in the Australian landscapes and gardens, in particular, how the unruly aesthetic of fungi reinforces trends of nativism and naturalism in gardens and the shift away from manicuring.

This talk is part of the 2025 Australian Landscape Conference run by Outlandish Ventures.

Book Launch: Funga Obscura

Alison’s latest book is about fungi, and the photography of fungi.

The title – Funga Obscura – unites the two.

Beginning in elemental landscapes of ice and rock, the book traces the evolutionary path of fungi as enablers of life on land, and creators of soils and forests.

Crossing continents and ecosystems, we navigate lichen-covered landscapes, crawl in the fungal undergrowth, scale glacial extremes and duck between rainforest shadows.

Please join us at Readings Bookshop at the State Library of Victoria where Alison will be in conversation with nature writer Dave Witty and sharing some stories of her travels in the photographing and writing of the book.

Funga Obscura and Alison’s previous titles will be available for purchase.

See here for further forays, workshops and other events.

The Dark Web: A Foray in the Fungal Underground

Once overlooked, fungi are the exhilarating new poster organisms reconfiguring our understanding of the natural word and capturing the public imagination.

Fungi underpin terrestrial ecosystems, forming cross-kingdom collaborations with countless creatures and intimately entwining with plants. These clandestine relationships extend beyond trees to include every orchid and most shrubs and grasses. Symbioses are the secret to success in our highly variable climate and nutrient-deficient soils.

Although these unruly fungal renegades contravene the frameworks we use to understand life, they might also inspire the innovative thinking needed to navigate an uncertain future.

In this illustrated and interactive seminar Alison will share insights from over two decades spent in the field with fungi along with some stories of her adventures during the making of her recent book, Funga Obscura – Photo Journeys Among Fungi.

Afterwards, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase signed copies of Alison’s books, The Allure of Fungi, Wild Mushrooming, Underground Lovers and Funga Obscura.

This event is kindly sponsored by Geelong Landcare Network.

(Drinks can be purchased at the bar in the Moorabool Room and finger food will be available courtesy of Landcare. If you wish to book for dinner after the talk please do so HERE).

Participants are welcome to bring along fungus specimens for identification.

See here for further forays, workshops and other events.

Tiger’s Eye & Devil’s Tooth – A Foray in Fungal Realms

Throughout history, fungi have confounded with their strange appearances and dubious connotations. Humans are sharply divided in their regard for fungi – some revere them while others subject them to a reckless kick across the paddock.

Yet without fungi, life as we know it would be radically different. Fungi regulate the biosphere and support the earth’s ecological functioning. They provide us with food, wine and medicine. However, in the English-speaking world, the exceptionally few mushrooms with the capacity to dismantle human organs have received disproportionate attention. Centuries of mythologies and misunderstanding take time to unravel and redress.

In this highly interactive seminar Alison will introduce us to both the science and aesthetics of fungi. She’ll share her experiences in the field with fungi and their followers across hemispheres. You’ll also hear of Alison’s adventures during the writing of her new book – Funga Obscura. Through her stories we’ll cross continents and ecosystems, navigate lichen-covered landscapes, crawl in the fungal undergrowth, scale glacial extremes and duck between rainforest shadows.

Afterwards, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase signed copies of Alison’s books, The Allure of Fungi, Wild Mushrooming, Underground Lovers and Funga Obscura.

Participants are welcome to bring along fungus specimens for identification.

See here for further forays, workshops and other events.