Mushrooms and other fungi are very important decomposers for our ecosystem. Without these organisms, dead organic matter would pile up in forests with nowhere to go. This would make White Deer Park very smelly! Mushrooms recycle nutrients that they gain from organic and give them back to trees and other plants to help them flourish. Unfortunately, many fungi species are threatened due to habitat destruction, pollution and climate change. That means it's more important than ever to learn about and help fungi. Let's contribute data to scientists researching these crucial organisms!

How to Participate in the Fungal Diversity Survey citizen science project:

1. Look for mushrooms around Garner.  Try keeping an eye out when you go for a walk or hike! When you find a mushroom, try not to touch or disturb it. Most importantly, never eat mushrooms you find in the wild. There are many poisonous mushroom species that look very similar to edible species.

2. Take pictures of the mushroom or fungus. Make sure they are clear enough to see identifying features. You should have pictures showing the cap (top), the gills (underneath), the stem, and the bulb (if applicable). Use a ruler or common item for scale. We’ve provided resources if you'd like to try identifying what you find.

3. All observations will be logged onto the platform iNaturalist. Download the app on any smart phone to log your own observations as you go. All you have to do is upload the pictures. You don’t have to identify the species if you don’t know it; the experts on iNaturalist will help you! If you don’t have access to the iNaturalist app, send all observation photos taken (along with when and where you took the photos) to wdpeducation@garnernc.gov when you’re done so the “fungus experts” at White Deer Park can identify and log them for you!

This event is entirely virtual, so you don’t need to speak to anyone or fill out a participation form. However, we’d love to see or hear about anything interesting you find so don’t feel shy about tagging or messaging us on social media!

Follow the project: iNaturalist Project Page

Our favorite way to identify anything in nature: Seek app by iNaturalist