Mycology May is Back for 2025 – Celebrating Five Years of Fungal Fascination! 🍄🌏
We’re thrilled to announce that Mycology May is returning for its fifth fantastic year! What started as a grassroots celebration of the incredible, overlooked world of fungi has now grown into a much-anticipated month of discovery, storytelling, science, and soil-loving community connection.
Each May, we dive beneath the surface—literally and figuratively—to uncover the secret lives of fungi. And each year, the case for fungi being among the most important organisms on the planet becomes even more compelling.
🌿 Fungi: The Hidden Heroes of Our Ecosystems
Fungi are more than just mushrooms on your pizza or mould on old bread. These remarkable organisms are the quiet engineers of our natural world. Beneath every forest, field, and backyard lies a vast network of fungal mycelium—thread-like structures that connect plants, transport nutrients, and keep entire ecosystems humming.
These underground networks, often compared to the internet for plants, help regulate carbon storage, water movement, and biodiversity. Without fungi, life as we know it simply couldn’t function.
🌾 Fungi and Farming: Partners in Agriculture
In both pastures and cropping systems, fungi play a vital role. Mycorrhizal fungi—those that form partnerships with plant roots—boost crop health by helping plants absorb more water and nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen. They also enhance soil structure, improving aeration and water retention, which is especially valuable as we face increasing climate variability.
As we strive for more sustainable farming systems, the spotlight is turning to these fungal allies for low-input, regenerative agricultural solutions.
🍽️ Fungi on the Menu: A Culinary Revolution
Mushrooms have exploded in popularity not just for their flavour, but for their versatility and sustainability in the kitchen. From gourmet favourites like porcini and saffron milkcaps, to cultivated heroes like oyster and shiitake mushrooms, fungi are taking centre stage in dishes around the world.
With their meaty texture and rich umami taste, mushrooms are beloved by chefs and home cooks alike—offering delicious plant-based options in an increasingly climate-conscious food landscape. And beyond the plate, fungi are used in fermentation processes to produce breads, cheeses, alcohol, and soy products, making them a cornerstone of cuisines worldwide.
🌍 Fungi for the Future: Plastic Alternatives and Beyond
In a world drowning in plastic, fungi are offering a breath of fresh air—literally. Innovators around the globe are growing biodegradable packaging, bricks, textiles, and even leather-like materials from fungal mycelium. These eco-friendly alternatives are turning heads in design, fashion, and manufacturing, showing us that fungi may hold the key to a cleaner, more circular economy.
📚 Special Event: The Dark Web – A Foray in Fungal Realms with Dr Alison Pouliot
To help us kick off Mycology May in style, join us for a lively and interactive seminar with ecologist, mycologist, and photographer Dr Alison Pouliot.
🗓 Thursday, 1 May 2025
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Bathurst Library
In “The Dark Web: A Foray in Fungal Realms”, Alison will unravel the hidden underground world of fungi—where roots and mycelium meet in a quiet but powerful dance of connection and cooperation. She’ll also share captivating stories from the making of her latest book, Funga Obscura: Photo Journeys Among Fungi.
🎟 Bookings essential – Call the library on 6333 6281 to reserve your spot.
📖 Copies of Alison’s books will be available for purchase on the night.
Let’s get curious, get connected, and celebrate the fungi that shape our world this Mycology May!