Fungi Fascinate Scientists and Citizen Conservationists

Overlooked fungi are essential to ecosystems, but many species remain undiscovered and threatened

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Fungi scientists and amateur enthusiasts are working to document and protect the diverse and often overlooked world of fungi, which play a crucial role in ecosystems but face threats from climate change, habitat loss, and overharvesting. While fungi conservation efforts lag behind in the U.S. compared to other parts of the world, a growing community of citizen scientists is helping to identify and track vulnerable species.

Why it matters

Fungi are essential to the health of forests, providing food and habitat for many species, as well as contributing an estimated $54 trillion to the global economy through their use in food, medicine, and other applications. However, the majority of fungi species remain undocumented, and many are at risk of extinction due to human activities and environmental changes. Protecting fungi is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem function.

The details

Fungi scientists like Jessica Allen and Jesse Miller are part of a growing community working to study and conserve fungi, which are neither plants nor animals but a distinct kingdom of life. Groups like the California Lichen Society organize field trips where amateur lichenologists and fungi enthusiasts search for rare and little-known species, documenting their findings to help build a better understanding of fungal diversity and distribution. This citizen science data is crucial for conservation efforts, as it allows scientists to identify vulnerable species and target resources accordingly.

  • In January 2026, a group of lichenologists and fungi lovers conducted a field survey at the University of California, Davis' McLaughlin Reserve in Napa County, California.
  • The rare Manzanita butter clump mushroom was last seen in Napa County two years ago, in 2024.

The players

Jessica Allen

A mycologist for NatureServe, a hub for biodiversity data, who is helping to accelerate and support fungal conservation efforts in the U.S. and Canada.

Jesse Miller

An ecologist and the president of the California Lichen Society, a group that organizes field trips and data collection to document lichen and fungal diversity.

Larry Cool

A chemist who has been interested in lichens for 53 years, after learning they can be used as natural dyes.

Ken Kellman

A retired air conditioning and heating mechanic who has become an amateur lichenologist, helping scientists discover the biodiversity in his hometown of Santa Cruz, California.

Gregory Mueller

The co-chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature's fungal conservation committee, who coordinates global efforts to protect fungi.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's so easy to get distracted, but there's so many lichen!”

— Jessica Allen, Mycologist

“Lichenologists make terrible hiking partners”

— Larry Cool, Chemist

“It just keeps your brain in that place where you're saying 'Wow!' all the time. 'That's cool!' And that's my favorite place for my brain to be.”

— Ken Kellman, Amateur Lichenologist

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This story highlights the growing efforts to document and protect the diverse and often overlooked world of fungi, which play a crucial role in ecosystems but face increasing threats. While fungi conservation lags behind in the U.S. compared to other parts of the world, a dedicated community of scientists and citizen scientists is working to change that by identifying vulnerable species and advocating for their protection.