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 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 The course will run for 8 weeks and each class is 1.5 hours We are running this as a separate course as we are approaching the end of the year. However anyone who signs up for this course is entitled to discount prices on other courses in the series (which we will run next year) including: Human uses for fungi and growing fungi Fungal conservation, land management and citizen science The classes will be on Thursday evenings from 6pm-7:30pm

Daniel Goldsmith is founder of Micoeden, an Australian company that is producing sustainable mycelium construction materials. Micoeden's belief is in a responsible living circular economy. Re-imagining waste management and material fabrication to produce a generous product that gives more than it take. Find out more about their work and the process of creating sustainable materials from fungi at this online talk. The talk will be recorded and made available to anyone who buys a ticket for 2 weeks afterwards. Proceeds from this event go to the Wild Fungi DNA project.

Informal online myco meeting and catch up.

Tickets available here https://events.humanitix.com/mushroom-day-2021?fbclid=IwAR3aDxR2iKLLTaYAd_BbHtCSHH3HjAHoH_PECCQHH2mo9iPrHjtq7b5H-0E Fungi play a crucial role in the ecosystem as decomposers, soil builders and nutrient cyclers. They also partner with at least 90% of plant species protecting them from disease, helping them to obtain nutrients and water and even communicate with other plants. Fungi are also an important food source for many animals. For humans they are a source of food, medicine and even materials for packaging and construction. Fungi can also break down pollution and help remediate the environment. Join us in Selby on the forested outskirts of Melbourne for 2 full days of exploration of the fungal world. We will have fungi forays and talks and workshops on many topics including: ecology and conservation mushroom cultivation mushroom medicines how to use iNaturalist how to use a microscope sequencing fungi and environmental DNA safe foraging of edible mushrooms poisonous look-alikes Integration natural dyeing myco-materials This year’s Mushroom Day is being organised jointly by the Australian Psychedelic Society and MYCOmmunity Applied Mycology.   Keynote speakers: Dr Alison Pouliot - an ecologist, environmental photographer and honorary fellow at the Australian National University. Her research spans both northern and southern hemispheres where she is actively involved in fungal conservation andethnomycology, conducting over 400 fungus workshops and forays over the last two decades. Alison’s recent book, The Allure of Fungi (CSIRO Publishing) explores the natural and cultural curiosities of the fungal realm. Her new book (co-authored with mycologist Tom May) is the first field guide to edible fungi in Australia will be published later this year. More information is available at www.alisonpouliot.com                                                                                                                                                                                                  Dr Sapphire McMullan-Fisher is an ecologist who has a special interest in conservation of biodiversity, particularly the macrofungi and mosses. She has lived in Australia, New Zealand and Africa and is interested in these and similar landscapes around the world. She most enjoys spending time in bushland and working with community groups to help them understand the importance of fungi in maintaining health. www.funfungiecology.com Full program with more keynote speakers and workshops TBA In case of lockdown tickets will be fully refunded. We will also fully refund anyone who can’t attend due to illness.   Tickets available here https://events.humanitix.com/mushroom-day-2021?fbclid=IwAR3aDxR2iKLLTaYAd_BbHtCSHH3HjAHoH_PECCQHH2mo9iPrHjtq7b5H-0E

Guided by the experienced guide and citizen mycologist Natasha Vorogushin, you'll learn the ins and outs of edible mushroom foraging. Arm yourself with important knowledge which will keep your tummy full and happy instead of achey. Natasha is a passionate about identifying edible mushrooms and cooking with them! You will learn the basics of the principals of identifying mushrooms and also the specifics of common edible species and which ones to avoid. An email will also be sent to those participating, with Natasha's presentation attached. The presentation goes through key points of identification, mushroom biology and will feature some common edible and non edible species. It can be printed out as a reference to use while out in the field. Time: 1pm Location: Buln Buln, Gippsland, Victoria. Precise location TBA. People can join us for an informal mushroom walk afterwards. If you want to join us please wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing based on the weather for the day. Feel free to bring your own basket for collecting samples. Please book early as there are limited tickets!  

Dr Sapphire McMullan-Fisher is an ecologist who has a special interest in conservation of biodiversity, particularly the macrofungi and mosses. She has lived in Australia, New Zealand and Africa and is interested in these and similar landscapes around the world. She most enjoys spending time in bushland and working with community groups to help them understand the importance of fungi in maintaining health. Fog gungi can occur where fine leaved plants capture fogs and bryophytes particularly mosses are abundant to hold moist microclimate. So also includes frosts, mists, dews & jerries. Main ‘Fog’ Habitats: • Coastal • Rivers & streams • Waterfalls But also topographic high points like hilltops, rocky outcrops, escarpments and even mountains. This event is a fundraiser for the non-profit projects Fungi4Land and the Wild Fungi DNA project. We are asking for a recommended donation of $25, however all donations are appreciated. Once you sign up you should receive a ticket. We will email out Zoom links the day of the event. Please download Zoom ahead of time. https://funfungiecology.com/fungi-for-land/ http://myco.org.au/wild-dna-project/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261411714_Fungi_and_fire_in_Australian_ecosystems_A_review_of_current_knowledge_management_implications_and_future_directions

Join us for a fungi foray! Greg Boldiston has extensive experience in identifying mushrooms and runs regular mushroom walks in Mt Macedon. This foray will focus on identifying fungi in native forests and you will also learn to record them for conservation purposes using the iNat app. Exact location to be announced closer to the day. Please wear weather appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear. All proceeds of this foray go to support the Wild Fungi DNA project https://myco.org.au/wild-dna-project/  

In 2019 we initiated the Wild Fungi DNA Project. Our aim is to develop protocols and train citizen-scientists to use environmental DNA to search for rare and endangered fungi. We have now completed most of the pilot projects. This meeting will include an update on our results so far, discussion of some of the successes and stumbling blocks we have encountered and where to next. We will also talk about how people can volunteer. Any donations to the project are much appreciated.

Join us for a fungi foray! Greg Boldiston has extensive experience in identifying mushrooms and runs regular mushroom walks in Mt Macedon. This foray will focus on identifying fungi in native forests and you will also learn to record them for conservation purposes using the iNat app. Exact location to be announced closer to the day. Please wear weather appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear. All proceeds of this foray go to support ANTaR https://antar.org.au  

Our new t-shirts are about to come out. We are doing a discounted pre-order. There are two different shirts: one for the Wild Fungi DNA project and another with a MYCOmmunity logo. ***please note that this will be changed to say "MYCOmmunity Applied Mycology" and will not have the words "learning lab" in it*** Sale will continue till midnight Sunday May 9.

ONLINE TALK Psilocybe subaeruginosa has a reputation like few other Australian fungi. It is a tenacious species, highly competitive, often found on university campuses and roadside mulch beds. It is a highly talked about, incredibly photogenic species.  Many fungi discussion groups prefer to not talk about it - an ID perhaps but then change the subject. Within more underground communities it is a hot topic, “when does it grow”, “where can i find it”, “how do i consume it”. But because of its legal status and reputation, it has been ignored by the wider academic community. There are now a lot of questions about whether it is one species or many, and what is its relationship to overseas species such as P. azurescens, P. cyanescens and P. alleni. Caine Barlow has had a long term interest in the broad variety in appearance, and the biogeography of this species. In this talk, he discusses the ecology and biology of P. subaeruginosa including the history and the confusion around this species, and summaries current theories. Donations go to the Wild Fungi DNA project. The project aims to make DNA methods more accessible to citizen mycologists and to collect data on rare and endangered fungi. https://myco.org.au/wild-dna-project/

MYCOmmunity Applied Mycology will be having it's Annual General Meeting on October 27 at 6:30pm Australian Eastern Standard Time. Please sign up here if you wish to attend and a zoom link will be sent out 15 minutes before hand on the day. Anyone can attend however you must be a financieal member to vote. You can become a MYCOmmunity member here https://myco.tidyhq.com/public/membership_levels