Function of Fungi and Citizen Science

Fungi are essential components of terrestrial ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling, decomposition, symbiosis and pathogenesis with plants and animals. Despite their ecological importance, fungal diversity remains poorly documented in many regions of Tennessee, including our own. I hope to develop a long-term inventory macrofungi (a conspicuous differentiated thallus formed by a fungus to produce spores, such as mushrooms, conks, or any visible spore-producing structure) in Barfield Crescent Park and Rutherford county while engaging high school students and the community in a research experience that contributes to enhancing publicly accessible biodiversity databases. This program can be counted as Tennessee Naturalist CE credit. https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=52033

Community event in Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, TN 37128.