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Welcome to the home page of the International Society for Fungal Conservation [ISFC], the first society anywhere in the world to be entirely devoted to protecting these beautiful and wonderful organisms. Established in August 2010, it now has more than 300 members in over 60 different countries. The Society promotes conservation of fungi globally through activities, awards, campaigns, meetings and publications. [More...]
Fungi are different from animals and plants. There are probably more than 1.5 million species of fungi worldwide of which less than 10% have so far been discovered. Collectively they form their own independent megadiverse biological kingdom. [More...]
Fungi are incredibly important. The range of ecosystem services provided by fungi is enormous. While plants produce and animals consume, fungi are the great recyclers. Without them, life on this planet would not be sustainable. [More...]
Fungi need protection. The conservation movement almost totally overlooks the fungi. That is a big problem because there is no magical property which makes fungi immune to habitat destruction, pollution and climate change. [More...]
Practical Workshop on Red-Listing Fungi Using IUCN Criteria: Thailand, Bangkok, 3 August 2014
Assessing the Conservation Status of Fungi. If you're planning to attend the Tenth International Congress of Mycology, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand, this workshop is a must. Led by Anders Dahlberg & Greg Mueller, with Peter Buchanan, Paul Cannon and Y.L. Yang, it will run from 09.00 to 16.00 on Sunday 3 August 2014 at the Congress venue. The cost of participation, 950 Baht (about US dollars 32), payable on the day, covers the cost of lunch and coffee breaks. The workshop will include presentations and discussions on why fungal red lists are needed, why conservation needs to include fungi, how you can contribute to the Global Fungal Red List Initiative, and how you can use the results of that initiative to increase public interest in fungi. Download a flyer for more information. E-mail Greg Mueller [gmueller
International Congress on Fungal Conservation
The Society's main meeting, the Third International Congess on Fungal Conservation was held in Turkey from 11-15 November 2013). The Congress Website can still be viewed, and the Programme and Abstracts Volume is now available on-line.
Is YOUR country getting it right? The Micheli Guide to Fungal Conservation evaluates Rio Convention reports from a fungal perspective. [More...]
Help publicise the Society. Download designs from the Society website and make your own custom T-shirt or hat to promote fungal conservation. [More...]
An easy way to raise the profile of fungi. Learn to edit Wikipedia and help it present a balanced view of fungi. [More...]
Have you seen this fungus? Cryptomyces maximus is distinctive and easily noticed, but now known only from a handful of sites in Wales. [More...]