Join us for an engaging seminar where we'll delve into the fascinating world of fungi with expert Dr. Alison Pouliot.
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’?
The good news is it seems we’re in something of a ‘fungal awakening’ and mushrooms are finally having their moment. 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 and land restoration programs.
In this talk Alison will explore how fungi are perceived across hemispheres in conservation contexts and which fungal flagships best capture the public imagination. She will also share some stories from the writing of her recent book, Underground Lovers – Encounters with Fungi in which she interacted with fungi and their followers across a dozen countries.
There will be an opportunity at the end for participants to show their specimens or purchase books.
Booking essential: Limited to 50 people.
About the Presenter
Alison Pouliot, BA (Philosophy), BSc Hons (Zoology), PhD (Ecology/Mycology).
Alison is an ecologist, environmental photographer and author and has presented over 800 environmental seminars, forays and workshops in Australia and internationally.
Seminar field trip
Attending this event will enable you to attend the Seminar field trip: Meeting with mushrooms.
- Date: Thursday 30 May 2024
- Time: 9.00am to 11.30am
This exciting field trip introduces participants to the diversity, ecology and curiosities of the Kingdom Fungi, specific to fungi found in the region and its various habitat types.
Participants will learn some of the basic skills used to identify fungi in the field using multiple senses. The relationships between fungi and various plant species and different habitat types will be discussed. Every fungus has intriguing natural and cultural histories and stories, and these will be shared along the way.
Interested participants will be sent a registration link.