Fifth Mt Canobolas Fungus Foray & Survey

The famous Mt Canobolas Fungus Survey is on again this autumn!

The fungi of Mt Canobolas and the surrounding area are little known. Only very scant and mostly anecdotal records exist. Fungi are an important part of these ecosystems especially in creating and stabilising soils, nourishing and interconnecting plants, as a food supply for animals, and underpinning the health and resilience of the mount.

This aim of the foray and survey is to equip participants with fungus identification skills and the basic principles and protocols for surveying fungi in the field, and to build on the data collected at previous surveys.

Following an introductory overview we will work in groups to survey the fungi of the field sites using field guides and other resources to use in the field.

The full autumn 2025 workshops and events listing can be viewed here.

SATURDAY 10 MAY 2025

LOCATION: Mount Canobolas National Park – Federal Falls, Orange NSW 2800

BOOKINGS OPEN 1 APRIL

Curry Punk & Jelly Brain: The Conservation and Aesthetics of Fungi

The earth’s rapidly changing climate and environmental issues have come into sharp focus through the demise of charismatic megafauna and the ‘biodiversity crisis’.

But what about stinkhorns and slime moulds?

How do fungi and their kin get our attention when they are not only overshadowed by more ‘popular’ organisms, but are rarely included in our ideas about ‘nature’ or ‘biodiversity’?

Over the last 25 years Alison has divided her time between hemispheres, working both with fungi and their followers. She has been actively involved in fungal conservation, research and education.

In this talk Alison will explore how fungi are perceived across hemispheres in conservation contexts and which fungal flagships might best capture the public imagination. Alison will also some stories from the writing of her recent book, Funga Obscura – Photo Journeys Among Fungi.

Alison’s books, The Allure of Fungi, Wild Mushrooming, Underground Lovers and Funga Obscura will be available for purchase.

The full autumn 2025 workshops and events listing can be viewed here.

MONDAY 12 MAY 2025

LOCATION: Australian National Botanic Gardens

TIME: 10:30-11:30

BOOKINGS

FREE TO ATTEND. ALL WELCOME!

Dirt Matters – A journey in the mycobiome

The need to produce high quality food while minimising environmental damage is one of the biggest challenges for Australian agriculturalists. Healthy biological soils are crucial to plant health including our food crops. In turn, human health depends on high food quality and hence good soil health.

Modern agriculture with its intensive use of chemicals, fertilisers and mechanical disturbance has largely eliminated soil organisms. However, innovative farmers and gardeners are turning things around by fostering fungi and other organisms within soils. Central to this is an understanding symbioses between plants, fungi and their kin.

This talk provides an overview of the vital significance of fungi in soils and their roles in creating soil architecture, retaining water, increasing nutrient availability and maximising drought resistance. Greater attention to fungal-plant relationships can help us build resilience of our ecosystems, especially at a time of changing climate and water scarcity.

Alison’s books, The Allure of Fungi, Wild Mushrooming, Underground Lovers and Funga Obscura will be available for purchase.

This workshop is being delivered as a part of SEE Change’s “Roving Regenerators” community soil regeneration program with assistance from the ACT Government under the Community Zero Emissions Grants Program.

The full autumn 2025 workshops and events listing can be viewed here.

MONDAY 12 MAY 2025

LOCATION: Theatrette, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross St, Acton ACT 2601, Australia

TIME: 2pm–3pm

BOOKINGS

FREE TO ATTEND, BUT PLEASE REGISTER. ALL WELCOME!