On Saturday 28th September, the Botanic Garden invited CCI to come help celebrate fungi and their relationships with plants ahead of the UK’s very own Fungus Day.
Every year, UK Fungus Day is held to celebrate the wonders of the fungal world, inviting everyone to join in, get involved and learn more about fungi through art, performance, talks, quizzes and competitions.
An everyday superhero
Plants rely on mycorrhizal networks to deliver water and nutrients so that they can grow. Without their recycling activities, our world ecosystems would quickly run out of nutrients.
Try this FUNgal quiz from the team at UK Fungus Day!
Alongside the wonderful team at the Botanic Garden, award-winning scientist and CCI Artscaper, Jen McGaley invited visitors for fungi talks, walks and games, sharing incredible encounters with local mycorrhiza through powerful microscopes.
“We are so fortunate to work with Jen across many different CCI projects, and her generosity and wonderment both for the natural world and the young people around her never ceases to impress us!” Emily Dowdeswell.
Emphasising the importance of sharing research insights into these invisible heroes of the natural world, Jen is inspiring young scientists all over our region, illuminating the otherwise unseen for the benefit of plants, people and planet.
Celebrating the overlooked and unseen
We know from our outreach collaborations, how the power of sharing images of stained mycorrhizal fungi in stunning detail can spark interest and conversations in these less familiar and more strange parts of our natural worlds.
Learn more about fungi from Matt Wainhouse, Fungi Senior Specialist at Natural England
Beneath the dappled light of autumnal sunshine, our fantastical fungi drop-ins invited families to explore the magical world of fungi beneath our feet, and paint the underground fungal network using specially collected natural inks prepared by Hilary Cox Condron.
Be inspired by Hilary’s magical inks and explore the Botanic Garden natural ink trail
The day was a huge success, with over a thousand visitors getting involved in the walks, talks, and creative activities. We were particularly struck by the lively and established interest in these microscopic networks from our youngest visitors, who shared with us their own stories of enthralling encounters with plants and fungi.
“CCI’s set-up in the School's Garden was beautiful. It was a joy to see children and adults alike getting creative while thinking about fungi. It was the highlight of the day for many visitors we spoke to.” Jen McGaley.
Thank you to everyone involved in the day at the Botanic Garden, especially Jen McGaley, Raphaella Hull and Beatrice Carter, and artists Hilary Cox Condron and Tatiana Moreno. And a special thank you to every family who dropped into the School Garden to immerse themselves in the magical world of fungi.