Dear friends and readers,
Happy Earth Day! Today we have a message for you: Save our Fungi.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Earth Day? For many people, it’s trees. Others might think of animals. Most people probably won’t consider fungi when they celebrate Earth Day this year. We understand – they’re a bit secretive… hiding in the cracks of trees, and deep beneath our feet in the soil.
In fact, there are an estimated 3 million species of fungi on the planet, but less than 3% have been formally named. Yet fungi, an entire Kingdom of Life, are foundational to the health of ecosystems. Fungi pass nutrients between plant roots, filter contaminants from soil, protect pollinators, and transform dead organic matter into sustenance. Yet, the essential contributions of fungi to life on this planet have been continually ignored, underfunded, or understudied. This Earth Week, Fungal Diversity Survey has set out to put fungi on the forefront of your mind! Because without fungi, our familiar Earth would cease to exist.
Last year, thanks to a generous grant from the California Institute for Biodiversity, combined with donations from people like you, we surpassed our goals! In California alone we discovered 347 undescribed species. You can help us find even more this year! Please help fund our research in 2024.
Image: Undescribed Spodocybe sp. by Rudy Diaz
Our goal is to raise $5000 during Earth Week to support our mission of locating and advocating for fungi. Every donation is meaningful to us, for the fungi.
Help us
Raise awareness of the importance of collecting and studying fungi
Bring the mycology community together to explore uncharted territory
Locate new or vulnerable species of fungi across North America
DNA sequence fungi and store them in herbaria for scientific use
Please help us meet our fundraising goal by donating $10 monthly, or by making a one-time donation in honor of Earth Week (and fungi’s contribution to our planet!) using the button below.
If we hit $5,000 that essentially means at least 200 more specimens can be collected this year #fundsforfungi
If you can’t donate, maybe forward this email to someone who can! Earth will thank you, and so will FUNDIS!
Image: Hydnellum peckii by Sadie Hickey
NE Rare Fungi Challenge Artwork
Patricia Larkin and one of her 6th grade art students (Bella, a mycoenthusiast) created these stickers, representing the entire list of species from the Northeast Rare Fungi Challenge! They are primarily made with watercolor on tea-stained paper, and will be available this week on her Etsy account (linked with the button below). She has more art for sale using watercolor over acrylic pour paint on reclaimed canvas, see the Squamanita umbonata. We are excited to announce that 50% of all Fundraiser stickers and artworks by Patricia will be donated directly to FUNDIS to support fungal conservation!!
FUNDIS Merch
Consider supporting FUNDIS by purchasing merch from our Bonfire store, including our newest T-shirts and hoodies, featuring the CALIFUNGA logo!
New Jobs for Students at CSUEB & UCLA
Are you a student at CSU East Bay or UCLA who is interested in fungal conservation? We are offering two amazing new job opportunities as a Herbarium Assistants to students already enrolled at CSU East Bay or UCLA!! This is an excellent opportunity to learn about herbarium processes, as well as fungal conservation! The job posting will be open until May 5th 2024, or until suitable candidates are hired. Do not wait to apply for this position! Expected start date June 2024.
Consider Becoming a Paid Subscriber
FUNDIS Funga Decoded eNewsletter is a reader-supported publication for fungal biodiversity and conservation. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber by clicking the button below!!