This event will highlight fungi’s role in transforming a former dumpsite into a thriving urban forest. Learn how fungi is entangled in the forest helping plants gain water and nutrients, creating the pigments that give flowers their beautiful colors, to helping plants communicate with pollinators. We will have UV flashlights and ACC will have a mothing set-up so we can attract and see the diverse, nocturnal ecosystem in a new light. Guests will learn how to look for, photograph and be community scientists in adding fluorescing organisms to the iNaturalist project. 

Come early to tour and see the growth of the trees planted for the Healthy Soils, Healthy Trees research project. Learn how to build healthy soil using recycled mushroom blocks. We will also be doing demos on how to inoculate logs to grow mushrooms and also break down logs so their nutrients can be returned to the soil. 

As always, we will be giving away recycled mushroom blocks, and warm reishi mushroom tea and snacks will be available. Get creative with glowing outfits, face paint and don’t forget your camera and tripod.
Learn more here about how some plants, mushrooms, lichens and insects have evolved color patterns that are visible in the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic light spectrum, which humans cannot see but many insects, birds and animals can see.

This event is made possible by a grant from the City of Austin.

Volunteers needed: Help with decorating and break-down!