Dr. Amy Honan Presents: Nature's hidden heroes - and how you can help protect them

Fungi are among the most important organisms on Earth, yet they remain poorly understood and largely unprotected. They underpin ecosystem health through nutrient cycling, soil formation, and complex partnerships with plants and animals, but many species are still undocumented or overlooked in conservation efforts.

This talk explores fungal conservation across Colorado, including why fungi have been historically excluded from conservation frameworks and how scientists are working to close those gaps. We’ll look at rare and under-documented species, new tools for assessing rarity and abundance, and how mushroom enthusiasts and community scientists can contribute meaningful data through responsible documentation and organized surveys. Whether you’re new to fungi or deeply engaged in mycology, you’ll learn how individual observations can help advance fungal conservation.