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Register and Attend for Live Giveaways and More.
Dive into the intriguing world beneath our feet in “Nature’s Geometry: The Science of Fairy Rings.” In this talk, we’ll explore how and why mushrooms sometimes emerge in perfect circles on lawns, meadows, and forest floors. You’ll learn about the fungal mycelium at work, its radial growth pattern, interactions with soil nutrients, and the ecological dynamics that give rise to “fairy rings.” Whether you’re passionate about ecology, curious about nature’s hidden patterns, or simply love mushrooms, this presentation will illuminate the remarkable biology and symbiotic relationships driving one of nature’s most enchanting phenomena.
About the Guest Speaker
Dr. Liz Bowman is a fungal and molecular ecologist studying how plant–microbial interactions shape ecosystems, community composition, and nutrient cycling. She has researched plant–fungal symbioses across diverse ecosystems, from Arizona’s sky islands to Texas savannas and Kenya, and has also worked in industry developing microbial solutions for plastic biodegradation. Now at the University of Texas, Liz continues to investigate plant-fungal interactions. She is an advocate for citizen science and open science, sharing her passion for fungi through talks, writing, and mushroom walks in Austin, where she lives with her partner and two daughters.