Fungi Discovery Workshop & Foray

Our Presenter

DR ALISON POULIOT is an ecologist and professional environmental photographer with a focus on fungi. Her work spans both northern and southern hemispheres where she is actively involved in teaching, research and conservation. Alison is author of The Allure of Fungi, Wild Mushrooming, and Underground Lovers: Encounters with Fungi. www.alisonpouliot.com

Fungus Discovery Workshop – Field Foray and Interactive Seminar

Relative to plants and animals, the diversity and significance of fungi is little known. Yet fungi are vital in creating and stabilising soils, nourishing and interconnecting plants, recycling nutrients, retaining and filtering water, restoring environmental damage and underpinning ecosystem health and resilience.

The workshop begins outside with an exciting field trip to local environments to search for fungus species of interest, followed by an evening interactive seminar that includes a specimen table of fungi to examine and explore.

Participants will be introduced to the diversity of the Kingdom Fungi and the basic principles of fungus identification, with the opportunity to handle and examine fungi from the various local habitat types and those from further afield.

In addition to the ecological and mycological aspects, we will also look at cultural aspects of fungi such as edibility and toxicity and their various utilitarian uses. There will be ample opportunity for questions and conversations.

Fungus Foray

Fungi are diverse and widespread. They’ve managed to colonise almost every habitat on earth. Where do we begin to get to know them and how do we differentiate one from another?

Join ecologist Alison Pouliot for an exciting fungus field foray to discover the fungi of the Tallangatta region. As we search for fungi you’ll learn about their ecology and vital significance in soils and ecosystems, and the basics of how to identify them.

Bookings essential: Max: 25 people for Fungus Foray only

Meet at Carpark top of Lockharts Gap Road, Charleroi 3.00pm

Contact: Simon Feillafe 0438 190 999 or Irene Lewis 0400 775 919

Fungus Seminar – Curry Punk & Jelly Brain – The Conservation & Aesthetics of Fungi

Mushrooms are finally having their moment!

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

Yet fungi are still overshadowed by more ‘popular’ organisms in conservation and are rarely considered in land restoration.

Over the last 25 years Alison has divided her time between hemispheres and has been actively involved in fungal conservation, research and land restoration programs.

In this interactive talk she will explore how fungi are perceived across hemispheres in conservation contexts and which fungal flagships best capture the public imagination. You’ll also get to experience a display of local fungi.

Seminar at Tallangatta Bowling Club - Dinner starting at 6.00pm - Seminar 6.30pm

Seminar is open for 40 people if you cannot get to the walk please contact Irene or Simon to secure a place.

Bookings:

Contact: Simon Feillafe 0438 190 999 or Irene Lewis 0400 775 919