FUNDIS Local Projects
FUNDIS Local Projects are a dispersed network of fungal field work happening across North America. Many Projects are led by community scientists, but some are led by academics and conservationists. Anybody can join or start a FUNDIS Local Project.
Photo by Gabriela D’EliaAbout Local Projects
FUNDIS Local Projects are community groups that survey fungi in an adopted area, ranging from a whole state to a local park.
Each FUNDIS Local Project has an associated iNaturalist or MushroomObserver Project where their observations are posted as open source.
Many Project Leaders welcome new members to help with collecting, photographing, and identifying fungi.
Participating in a project will give you more experience about fungal field work, drying collections, and preparing them for DNA sequencing.
You will also meet some new mushroom friends, explore new collecting areas, and learn while you contribute.
We provide our FUNDIS Local Projects with periodic DNA sequencing grants to get their specimens sequenced and assist fungal biodiversity and distribution discovery.
How to start or join a FUNDIS Local Project
To see if there is a project near you already check the map below of FUNDIS Local Projects.
Then check the List of registered FUNDIS projects, Column G “Join?,” to see if a nearby project leader is willing to be contacted.
If so, note the Project ID and Name and email register@fundis.org to request the leader’s contact info.
Contact the project leader, describe your interests, experience, location and availability, and learn what assistance they are seeking.
FAQ
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Unfortunately, no.
Our geographic focus as a nonprofit is North America. We are thrilled that so many of our free resources and models can be used by community scientists and professionals across the world. We do encourage everyone across the world to use our resources or models if they can be of benefit for them. -
You can use this form to register your own FUNDIS Local Project. If you would rather join a Local Project and not become a Project Leader, you can also use our FUNDIS Facebook Discussion Group to find a group of people who might want to form one with you.
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Aim to survey projects at different times of the year (not just peak mushroom season) to capture species that might form mushrooms during different times of year. Consider going out during the winter time to take special notice of the tree species or other biodiversity around you. Some projects like to survey every other week throughout most of the year. Some projects every month. Some every week. Structure your project in a way that suits you and your research questions.
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We are happy you asked! Please see our FUNDIS Collecting Protocol here. It might seem like a lot at first, but, like with anything, it gets easier the more you practice. It is very helpful to begin by going out with already established projects to learn about fungal field work.
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As you collect fungi throughout the seasons, once you get home you will dry, tag, and bag each collection. You, or a designated individual in your project, will maintain a small personal fungarium (physical library for fungal collections) as you collect specimens. As FUNDIS releases rounds of sequencing grants, you will have the opportunity to send us specimens for DNA sequencing. Sending us specimens will help understand if they are species that are known, new, or not well understood. Consider taking your collections a step further and partner with a local herbarium/fungarium that can house your specimens for future scientific research.
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Please keep a look out for DNA Sequencing Grants for our FUNDIS Local Projects. Sign up on our newsletter or follow us on social media to hear when grants become available.
FUNDIS Local Project Map
