This online course covers the fundamental aspects of mycology and fungal ecology. Classes will be live and recorded for people to re-watch later. Fundamentals of biology Fungal diversity and different types of fungi How to identify fungi Roles of fungi in the ecosystem including as decomposers and  How fungi interact with other organisms including relationships with plants and animals The course will run for 7 weeks and each class is around 1.5 hours long including Q and A. The classes will be on Thursday evenings from 6:30pm-8:00pm starting March 16. Your teachers: Ema Corro is a mycologist with experience in mushroom cultivation, myco-materials and ecology. She has a bachelor of Applied Science from RMIT and is studying her Master of Environmental Science at UNE. She is coordinator of the Wild Fungi Project which aims to increase knowledge of Australian fungi by engaging citizen scientists in collecting and sequencing mushrooms, as well as developing environmental DNA techniques to monitor pest and endangered fungi. Ema also works for AT Mushrooms and is Mycologist Wrangler at Fungi for Land. Emily McIntyre is a graduate of a Masters of Ecosystem Management and Conservation, where she examined the effect of biotic and environmental variables on soil fungi for her thesis. She is currently undertaking a PhD in fungal ecology at the University of Melbourne. She is most interested in learning about the interactions that fungi have with plants, animals, and abiotic factors, to better understand how ecosystems function. She is also currently working with MYCOmmunity to undertake research into the effect of storm damage on soil fungi within Wombat Forest. Discounts Anyone who signs up for this course is entitled to discount prices on other courses in the series including: Human uses for fungi and growing fungi Fungal conservation, land management and citizen science Fungal ecology PARTIALLY FUNDED ACFE ticket and scholarships If you are a resident of Victoria, over 16, are willing to fill in a long form and provide a Medicare card as proof of residence, you may be eligible for a partially funded ticket. This option is provided through Adult Community and Further Education (ACFE) and with ticket and materials costs ends up similar to concession. Please get in contact with us at mycommunity@myco.org.au for more info about this option. We also provide scholarships to people who can't afford the full pricce of ticket. Get in touch if you need this. MYCOmmunity is an NFP and all profits from these courses help keep our community lab open and fund citizen-science projects.

MYCOmmunity is seeking volunteers interested in helping to build understanding and awareness of the importance of our unsung Australian fungi for healthy ecosystems. We have an opportunity for some of your members to undertake training in mycology and conducting community events as part of our recently funded ‘Add Fungi’ project. This project aims to engage already active environmental and community volunteers to build their understanding of a fascinating but largely unknown biodiversity kingdom. Despite being critical for ecosystem health and functioning, our fungi are poorly understood and often left out of ecological monitoring and citizen science. For example, many local marsupials like bandicoots depend on fungi as a source of food. In turn, such animals help to spread fungal spores which are vital mycorrhizal partners of trees. In order to better monitor and protect our ecosystems, we need to significantly build awareness and understanding of fungi. The ‘Add Fungi’ project has three stages.  Volunteers need to be able to commit to stage 1 & 2 training and at least one community event day. Details are being finalised, but indicative dates, primarily Saturdays, are suggestedStage 1 – Two days of training of selected volunteers in basic fungi biology and identification with expert mycologists. Saturdays 4 & 18 March 2023, from 10 am to 3 pm (these 2 days are already booked out)         Stage 2 – cross training volunteers in mycology and community engagement with expert facilitators* Saturdays 25 March and April 1 2023, from 10 am to 3 pm * Extra details for people who sign up. We will have at least a bandicoot expert (Eilish or Sophie) on each of these days.  First date will be a morning of mycology and the afternoon skill sharing. The second will be event creation day where different walks will be planned like bandicoot walk, children's walk etc. Stage 3 – Two public event days to learn about and survey for fungi with a focus on the story of the interdependence of bandicoots and fungi. Saturdays 24 June and 1 July 2023 One day each at  Adams Creek Conservation Reserve, Nyora and Bandicoot Corner, Bayles/Koo Wee Rup,  24 June and 1 July 2023 The ‘Add Fungi’ project aims to develop skills that can be used across future citizen science programs. The project brings together a range of partners including project coordinators MYCOmmunity, bandicoot experts from Parks Victoria and the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) Cranbourne, the Cranbourne Friends RBGV, the Cardinia Environment Coalition and the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria fungi group.  Volunteers with an interest in mycology and availability for training and public events should fill in the form below. *Note all volunteers will require or have applied for a Working With Children.  

DNA sequencing for citizen-scientists This mixed-delivery course will teach you all you need to get started using DNA technology for environmental research in home or community laboratories.  OH&S and environmental ethics Biology basics Laboratory techniques DNA sequencing Identification and species relationships Environmental DNA New technologies Optional 2 day laboratory prac session (weekend of October 29th and 30th) The course is suitable for everyone from beginners to those with some university background in biology and genetics. This course is focussed on fungal DNA, however the techniques used are widely applicable and modifications for use with other organisms will be discussed. The course will be pre-recorded, with live Q and A sessions from 6:30pm Tuesdays AEST from October 18 to November 22 (November 29 is a spare class incase we need it). Classes will be released weekly starting October 11. The practical session is optional and will take place at Mycelium Lab in Melbourne, Victoria. Numbers at the prac session are limited.   Course modules and timetable: 1. Introduction and biology basics : Q & A October 18, 6:30pm online Introduction to genetic sequencing What you might use DNA technologies for and their limitations Good sources of information What is DNA, how does it work and what role it plays in the cell 2. Sample collection Q & A October 18, 6:30pm online Permits and ethical collecting Taking and recording specimens for herbariums/fungariums How to collect and save a DNA sample for later sequencing 3. Practical work with DNA Q & A October 25, 6:30pm online DNA extraction Primers and DNA amplification Polymerase chain reaction Gel electrophoresis Home lab equipment 4. Sequencing different regions Q & A November 1, 6:30pm online Sequencing options Different regions in the genome Primer design 5. Interpreting results Q & A November 8, 6:30pm online Using online databases How to interpret sequencing results 6. Phylogenetics Q & A November 15, 6:30pm online Interpreting sequencing results Genetic relationships between species Building family trees of species 7. Intro to eDNA and Next-gen sequencing Q & A November 22, 6:30pm online Enivornmental DNA Isothermal amplification techniques Next generation sequencing 8. Extra session (if needed) Q & A November 29, 6:30pm online Spare session incase any others are postponed or we need more Q & A time Optional practical session (weekend October 29 and 30): Day 1: DNA extraction DNA amplification Day 2: Gel electrophoresis Fun with LAMP Tickets: Tickets are available to anyone who fits the requirements for the specific tickets (member, concession, etc). Funded ticket: This $200 ticket is partially funded. Unfortunately the funding is only available to people who are over 16, live in Victoria and agree to fill in relevant forms and provide proof of residency. We can also make payment plans or other special arangements for people who need them. Please contact us at mycommunity@myco.org.au for further info.

Lab night and culture consultancy. If you have any fungal cultures you need help with or cultivation questions feel free to drop by. MYCOmmunity has recently opened up it's new space in Thornbury, Mycelium Laboratories Inc. The lab is spaceous and well equipped with mushroom growing and culturing equipment such as a flow hood, autoclave, pressure cookers etc. We also have general equipment used in the biological sciences including microscopes and equipment for DNA extraction and sequencing. We are trialling running the lab on a by-donation basis; we are completely reliant on donations and fundraising events to stay open so any donations are appreciated. We ask all participants to refrain from using the lab to conduct any riskly or illegal activities and to generally follow our Community Standards document. While we support harm-minimisation and decriminalisation of medicinal fungi, as a small non-profit we need to follow all relevant legislation and maintain an inclusive and family friendly atmosphere. We also need to ensure that our facilities and equipment are used safely. We also ask that people respect the space, equipment and keep the lab clean and tidy. Our Community Standards document can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TIooIFlCol1oab54RrT7TNj-9Jusmj7X/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116278434675891134499&rtpof=true&sd=true The entrance is through a roller door. The door and bell are for next door so please don't try to use them. If you have trouble getting into the building or need more info please call Ema on 0406508045.

THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELLED. Apologies to anyone who signed up. We will be issuing refunds and rescheduling soon!   This workshop will teach you the basics of plant identification focussing on Eucalyptus. Because so many fungi are symbiotic with plants, knowing how to identify near by trees is an important part of surveying and identifying mushrooms. Michael has worked in various  environmental management roles in Melbourne for the last 5 years – managing ecosystems and threatened species. He is currently teaching conservation land management at Melbourne Polytechnic covering field research, soils and restoration units. Michael has a keen interest in biodiversity relationships, one of those being, the relationship between fungi and plants. The proceeds of this events will go towards the Wild Fungi DNA project. http://myco.org.au/wild-dna-project/  

Australian Fungal Ecology with Sapphire McMullan-Fisher from Fungi4Land www.fungi4land.com Dates: most Wednesday evenings 6:30-7:30 pm online from 28 Sept to 30 Nov 2022 This Australian focused Fungal ecology course will lead you through the roles fungi play in terrestrial ecosystem. This includes: As recyclers of nutrients Partnering with other organisms like mycorrhizal associations with plants. Fungi in soils and as part of Biocrusts Biosecurity and understanding problem fungi Animal interactions Fungal responses to fire Integrating fungi into indigenous ecosystem restoration Fungi conservation including global IUCN RED list fungi Recordings will be available for a limited time incase people miss a session or want to revise. About Sapphire: Sapphire is an ecologist who has special interest in the conservation of biodiversity, particularly the macrofungi and mosses. She did her doctorate at the University of Tasmania on ‘Surrogates for cryptogam conservation – associations between mosses, macrofungi, vascular plants and environmental variables.’ In 2018 with Roz Hard and many Australasian Mycologists and amateurs in ‘love’ with fungi, started the project to develop a land management book for Australian Fungi with the working title Fungi4Land. Sapphire has been involved with many Australian fungi groups including MYCOmmunity, QMS and Fungimap. She is a representative on International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) Specialist Groups: Species Monitoring and Mushroom, Bracket and Puffball. She is also active with Australian scientific groups like the Education Subcommittee of the Australasian Mycological Society, Australian Bryophyte Workshops and community groups including many Field Naturalist Clubs and Landcare groups and Australian Plants Societies. To read more about her research profile in Research Gate and LinkedIn. Although this course is stand alone, if you want to get a more rounded understanding of fungi including fungal basics like biology, and applied subjects like culturing & growing mushroom we encourage you to take MYCOmmunity's online mycology and other courses. Tickets: Tickets are available to anyone who fits the requirements for the specific tickets (member, concession, etc). Funded ticket: This $200 ticket is partially funded. Unfortunately the funding is only available to people who are over 16, live in Victoria, have not previously purchased a funded ticket for our Mycology course, and agree to fill in relevant forms and provide proof of residency. We can also make payment plans or other special arangements for people who need them. Please contact us at mycommunity@myco.org.au for further info.

Orchids include the most diverse and highly evolved plants on earth. This event will provide an introduction to orchids, their roles in the ecosystem and all the basics you need in order to cultivate them and their symbiotic fungal partners.   This event will include: - A presentation on how orchids fit into our ecosystem and their roles as indicator species  - A discussion and breakdown of orchid structure, physiology, pollinatino and associations - A hands-on workshop on how to isolate symbiotic orchid fungi and sew orchid seeds - Take home a Pterostylis nutans (Green Hood) orchid Book early as places are very limited!   Your teacher: Melvin Xu is a mycologist and orchid enthusiast. He has researched Cordyceps fungi at Melbourne uni and has experience working in land management including with native orchids. He has experience cultivating orchid fungi and currently has several hundred orchids in his collection.   Community guidelines: We ask all participants to follow our Community Standards document. While we support harm-minimisation and decriminalisation of medicinal fungi, as a small non-profit we need to follow all relevant legislation and maintain an inclusive and family friendly atmosphere. We also need to ensure that our facilities and equipment are used safely. We also ask that people respect the space, equipment and keep the lab clean and tidy. Our Community Standards document can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TIooIFlCol1oab54RrT7TNj-9Jusmj7X/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116278434675891134499&rtpof=true&sd=true Joint event with Mycelium Laboratories Inc

This online course will cover the fundamentals of mycology, identifying and cultivating fungi, human uses for fungi and land management with fungi. Lessons will be pre-recorded and learners will have a weekly opportunity for live Q and A on Thursday evenings from 6:00pm. There will also be an online forum where people can ask questions or discuss topics. The course goes for 12 weeks and people can start any time. SCHOLARSHIPS: We accept payment plans and can provide further discounts for people who can't afford a ticket. Please contact us for further information. Units covered in this course: Mycology 101 This module covers the fundamental aspects of mycology  Fundamentals of biology including cell structure and introduction to genetics and evolution Fungal diversity and different types of fungi How to identify fungi How fungi interact with other organisms and roles of fungi in the ecosystem Biosecurity including field hygiene and managing invasive species  Human uses for fungi and growing fungi This module will cover human uses for fungi including Mushroom cultivation  Growing mushrooms at home and setting up your own lab Safe and ethical foraging Fungi in brewing Fungi in culture and history Emerging industries such as myco-materials Guest speaker Natasha Nichols (Margaret’s Mushrooms) on medicinal fungi Fungal conservation, land-management and citizen science This module is focussing on fungi in the environment and how you can contribute as a citizen scientist Endangered fungi and fungal conservation How citizen scientists can contribute to fungal conservation How to survey fungi for scientific purposes Re-introducing fungi to the environment Biosecurity and invasive species management Using DNA technology DIY science and setting up your own lab Guest speaker Sapphire Mc Mullan-Fisher on fungi in land management Wrap up session Further education pathways Getting jobs in land management and agriculture Starting your own business Getting involved in voluntary groups If you are interested in just doing part of the course please contact mycommunity@myco.org.au   Your teachers: Caine Barlow is a Mycologist and Fungi Educator. He gives regular talks on mycology, fungi conservation, and teaches gourmet mushroom cultivation. Caine started foraging for mushrooms in the early 1990's, and started cultivating gournet fungi in the mid 2000's. He did his Bachelor of Science at the University of Tasmania, and a Master of Science at the University of Melbourne where his research project was based around Conservation Mycology. Ema Corro has a Bachelor of Applied Science from RMIT and has researched mycomaterials in her honours project. She has been growing and foraging for mushrooms for 7 years. She is coordinator of MYCOmmunity Applied Mycology as well as the Wild Fungi DNA project which is developing environmental DNA techniques that citizen scientists can use to search for rare and endangered fungi. We also have guest lectures by experts in fungi in land management, medicine and mycomaterials.

Lab night and culture consultancy. If you have any fungal cultures you need help with or cultivation questions feel free to drop by. MYCOmmunity has recently opened up it's new space in Thornbury, Mycelium Laboratories Inc. The lab is spaceous and well equipped with mushroom growing and culturing equipment such as a flow hood, autoclave, pressure cookers etc. We also have general equipment used in the biological sciences including microscopes and equipment for DNA extraction and sequencing. We are trialling running the lab on a by-donation basis; we are completely reliant on donations and fundraising events to stay open so any donations are appreciated. We ask all participants to refrain from using the lab to conduct any riskly or illegal activities and to generally follow our Community Standards document. While we support harm-minimisation and decriminalisation of medicinal fungi, as a small non-profit we need to follow all relevant legislation and maintain an inclusive and family friendly atmosphere. We also need to ensure that our facilities and equipment are used safely. We also ask that people respect the space, equipment and keep the lab clean and tidy. Our Community Standards document can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TIooIFlCol1oab54RrT7TNj-9Jusmj7X/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116278434675891134499&rtpof=true&sd=true The entrance is through a roller door. The door and bell are for next door so please don't try to use them. If you have trouble getting into the building or need more info please call Ema on 0406508045.

Orchids include the most diverse and highly evolved plants on earth. This event will provide an introduction to orchids, their roles in the ecosystem and all the basics you need in order to cultivate them and their symbiotic fungal partners.   This event will include: - A presentation on how orchids fit into our ecosystem and their roles as indicator species  - A discussion and breakdown of orchid structure, physiology, pollinatino and associations - A hands-on workshop on how to isolate symbiotic orchid fungi and sew orchid seeds - Take home a Pterostylis nutans (Green Hood) orchid Book early as places are very limited!   Your teacher: Melvin Xu is a mycologist and orchid enthusiast. He has researched Cordyceps fungi at Melbourne uni and has experience working in land management including with native orchids. He has experience cultivating orchid fungi and currently has several hundred orchids in his collection.   Community guidelines: We ask all participants to follow our Community Standards document. While we support harm-minimisation and decriminalisation of medicinal fungi, as a small non-profit we need to follow all relevant legislation and maintain an inclusive and family friendly atmosphere. We also need to ensure that our facilities and equipment are used safely. We also ask that people respect the space, equipment and keep the lab clean and tidy. Our Community Standards document can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TIooIFlCol1oab54RrT7TNj-9Jusmj7X/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116278434675891134499&rtpof=true&sd=true Joint event with Mycelium Laboratories Inc

Lab night and workshop on how to collect and photograph fungi for herbarium specimens or iNaturalist entries. MYCOmmunity has recently opened up it's new space in Thornbury, Mycelium Laboratories Inc. The lab is spaceous and well equipped with mushroom growing and culturing equipment such as a flow hood, autoclave, pressure cookers etc. We also have general equipment used in the biological sciences including microscopes and equipment for DNA extraction and sequencing. We are trialling running the lab on a by-donation basis; we are completely reliant on donations and fundraising events to stay open so any donations are appreciated. We ask all participants to refrain from using the lab to conduct any riskly or illegal activities and to generally follow our Community Standards document. While we support harm-minimisation and decriminalisation of medicinal fungi, as a small non-profit we need to follow all relevant legislation and maintain an inclusive and family friendly atmosphere. We also need to ensure that our facilities and equipment are used safely. We also ask that people respect the space, equipment and keep the lab clean and tidy. Our Community Standards document can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TIooIFlCol1oab54RrT7TNj-9Jusmj7X/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116278434675891134499&rtpof=true&sd=true The entrance is through a roller door. The door and bell are for next door so please don't try to use them. If you have trouble getting into the building or need more info please call Ema on 0406508045.

Biofabrication and recycling with fungi   LIMITED PLACES. Please book ahead. If you need to set up a payment plan please contact us. Biofabrication is a rapidly growing industry that aims to replace plastics and other unsustainable materials with renewable and biodegradable materials. This course is Australia's most comprehensive course on myco-materials. This mixed-delivery course will cover everything you need to know to get started in the industry. It includes the fundamentals of mycology, cultivating fungi, laboratory work with fungi and biofabrication of sustainable materials. The course has 4 hours of online theoretical components and 12 hours of practical components. Topics covered include: basic lab technique, cultivating fungi from cultures to bulk-substrate, changing material properties and myco-materials for use in packaging, construction, fabrics and paper. We are running this course together with our partner organisations Fungi Solutions and Mycelium Laboratories. You will get an opportunity to work in a laboratory that produces many different types of myco-materials for professional clients. Theory component: Two Tuesday evenings in the lead up to the event. Sessions will be live but recorded for people who can't attend. Practical component (at Fungi Solutions in Thornbury): 10am-5pm (with an hour's luch break) Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st August At 439 St Georges Rd, Thornbury, Victoria   Your teachers: Amanda Morgan is founder and Director of Research at biofabrication company Fungi Solutions. She studied design at RMIT and has an Honours in mycomaterials. At Fungi Solutions we believe that collaborative partnerships, supporting community outcomes and careful custodianship of our delicate natural resources is the best way to care for the land and people. We would like to deepen our relationship with country and ensure that our mission to produce clean circular material solutions is conducted with respect for and in consultation with indigenous regenerative practices. Ema Corro is a mycologist and has researched mycomaterials in sound insulation. She has also been cultivating mushrooms for 10 years. She is coordinator of MYCOmmunity Applied Mycology and works in citizen-science, fungal conservation and land management   Community guidelines: We ask all participants to follow our Community Standards document. While we support harm-minimisation and decriminalisation of medicinal fungi, as a small non-profit we need to follow all relevant legislation and maintain an inclusive and family friendly atmosphere. We also need to ensure that our facilities and equipment are used safely. We also ask that people respect the space, equipment and keep the lab clean and tidy. Our Community Standards document can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TIooIFlCol1oab54RrT7TNj-9Jusmj7X/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116278434675891134499&rtpof=true&sd=true