CA FUNDIS
California is on the leading edge of understanding their fungal kingdom. Our work to document and protect fungi on a statewide scale is unprecedented.
Photo by Stu Pickell About CA FUNDIS
In November 2022, we launched the California Fungal Diversity Survey (CA FUNDIS), an unprecedented state-funded project across the state.
Our goals are to establish a baseline of California's fungal biodiversity and create a replicable model for state-wide fungal documentation and conservation.
This initiative is part of a larger effort addressing California’s climate crisis through Executive Order N-82-20, which aims to conserve 30% of the state’s lands and coastal waters by 2030 (known as 30x30).
While California is recognized as one of 36 global biodiversity hotspots due to its species richness, endemism, and conservation risk level of its flora, there is a significant lack of data for fungi. The California Fungal Diversity Survey (CA FUNDIS) was created to fill this gap, making California a leading example in fungal documentation and conservation.
How we reach our goals
Collect open-source field data
Preserve specimens accessioned in local herbaria
Grow our DNA barcode library
Integrate data to guide conservation strategies and land management
Year 1 Overview
CA FUNDIS is the first North American nonprofit initiative to employ a dedicated, state-funded team for fungal conservation, supported by the State of California and the California Institute for Biodiversity. FUNDIS built a team of 27 staff members to pursue concrete conservation goals.
By the end of 2023, we not only met our objectives but also refined workflows, created roles like Sequence Validators and Collectors, and established a network of collecting permits across agencies.
In the first year, our 15 Collectors and 1 Volunteer observed and vouchered over 5,900 fungal collections, conducting 360+ field expeditions in 52 of California’s 58 counties. We surpassed our collection goal by 155%, identifying over 1,000 species. Using Oxford Nanopore Technologies, we reduced DNA sequencing costs from $11 to $2.51 per sequence. Of 2,017 validated samples, 347 sequences (17%) were unmatched at the 99% threshold, suggesting either unsequenced historical specimens or new species in California.
This project advanced our understanding of data management, standardized protocols, and permitted access across various land types. Our team successfully sampled historically under-collected fungi groups, adding valuable data to California’s mycodiversity and revealing that fungi are full of surprises.
Notable Discoveries
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A new Psilocybe species, “CA01”.
Found by Taye Bright -
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A new “Pillbug Fluff” (Ascomycota species) growing on exoskeletons of dead pill bugs.
Found by Damon Tighe -
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The first record of Liverwort Navel (Loreleia marchantiae) in CA.
Photo by Warren Cardimona -
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This “truffle” fungus matches European and North African sequences, with unique triangular, tarry spore packets.
Harte Singer (Sequencing Program Director) successfully cultured this species. -
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New ectomycorrhizal discovery of fungal species forming previously unknown symbioses with the desert chamise shrub. Found by Michelle Torres-Grant.
Get Involved
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Contribute fungi to CA FUNDIS
Become a volunteer to contribute your fungal collections.
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CA FUNDIS iNaturalist Projects
Look at realtime progress of our project and the fungi we are finding.
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Newsletter
Stay informed on the latest updates and how you can help.
