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Join us online or in-person at LBJ Wildflower Center’s Tuesday Twilights for a fascinating talk on Mycorrhizal Fungi with UT researcher Elena Leander. Learn how restoration approaches shape life underground in Texas grasslands. This program is a part Healthy Soils, Healthy Trees research and is funded by COA Urban Forestry Grant.
Talk Description
Hidden beneath every Texas grassland lies a network of fungi that shapes the plant communities we see above. These underground partners, known as mycorrhizal fungi, exchange nutrients and water with plants and play an important role in ecosystem recovery following disturbance. In this talk, UT Austin researcher Elena Leander shares insights from her ongoing research at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, where she builds on years of vegetation monitoring by staff and volunteers to explore how long-term restoration efforts and different plant species influence these plant–fungal relationships. Join us for a beginner-friendly look into the world of mycorrhizae and discover how soil, roots, and fungi shape the resilience of Texas landscapes.
About the Speaker
Elena Leander is a fifth-year doctoral candidate in the Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior program at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research explores how partnerships between plants and mycorrhizal fungi respond to global change and how restoration efforts can leverage these partnerships to enhance ecosystem resilience. Elena works primarily in Texas grasslands, including the long-term research plots at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
About Healthy Soils, Healthy Trees
This program is dedicated to educating our community about the vital, hidden relationships that sustain our local ecosystems. We focus on the critical role of mycorrhizal fungi—the symbiotic partners of plant roots—in building healthy, resilient soil. Healthy soil, teeming with fungal life, is the foundation for strong, drought-resistant trees and vibrant native landscapes. Through workshops, forays, and expert talks, we explore how nurturing this underground network is key to conservation and sustainable gardening in Central Texas.
We will also be have mushroom blocks at the event for you to take home.
Activities at Tuesday Twilight on November 11th
Caros Amigos will fill the Courtyard with the lively, toe-tapping traditional music of Brazilian Choro.
Grab something savory and delicious from CraigO’s or Konfusedesi.
Craving something sweet? Sweet Frida has you covered!
If you’ve been admiring wildflowers for at least 21 years, cocktails will be available for purchase.
Parking is limited, even with some extra options on La Crosse Avenue and in the streets of the nearby neighborhood. We suggest carpooling or using a rideshare to help keep the chill vibes of the evening going.
Please refrain from bringing in alcoholic beverages. There will be a bar on site for your convenience.
Things start winding down around 7:30 p.m., so be sure to get here at the top of the hour for our later ticket holders.