Fungi about town

Image: Falmouth town centre

Over the years I have led numerous autumn fungal forays in British woodlands and it's very easy to engage a group with the amazing array of beautiful fresh fruitbodies that you can find together and then talk a little about their organization and the impact that fungi have on the environment in terms of wood and leaf litter decay or as agents of disease. But that's not always possible when people live in inner city environments, or for people that don’t have access to transport to visit foray sites. It’s also sometimes a challenge to find fresh material outside of the main foray season – anyone who has tried to put on an educational fungal display at the end of March knows the struggle to find the specimens that showcase the very best of the fungal world.  So last year as part of UK Fungus Day and a local Science Festival I took a group of 30 people on my first urban foray – badged as a “walkie-talkie” to explore the Wonderful World of Fungi.

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When I first arrived at the venue (Falmouth town centre) the day before the event, I was presented with all that the town centre had to offer – bars, restaurants, churches, banks, a range of high-street shops and the harbour - but not a fungus in sight! The group that signed up were expecting to be taken on an hour fungal extravaganza through the high street in Falmouth. So what did I do? 

The local shops and their window displays, as well as some local history (a marble plaque announcing that HMS Beagle landed with Darwin aboard in October 1836) were all selected as mycological prompts to talk about everything fungal. In the walk we discussed fungal biodiversity, evolution, molecular genetics, the contributions of fungi in understanding basic sciences, Nobel prizes, as well as the importance of fungi in food, drink and drug production, their roles in human and plant disease, and as critical components of ecosystems such as decomposition.
 
Using the attached image what can you see that might inspire you to share your knowledge and enthusiasm for fungi?  The pub is clearly an opportunity to talk about different types of brewing and the awesome power of yeast molecular genetics. Perhaps the man with bald head might stimulate you to talk about Malassezia globosa and dandruff, or the use of antifungal drugs in shampoos. The shoe repair shop could provoke a discourse about the role fungi play in the leather production process (eg proteases from Trichoderma reesei are used to “bate” leather) or to talk about the fungi that are currently being explored as leather substitutes.  

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On our brief mycological journey through Falmouth town centre we probably spent 5-10 minute outside each shop / location and we were able to discuss the relevance of fungi in our everyday lives without stepping into a forest, or travelling more than 2 minutes walk from the urban centre. Fungi are all around us and there is always an opportunity to showcase this amazing group. Perhaps you are up to the challenge and could initiate an urban foray in a town or city near you.