Join Michael Priest, President of Fungimap, Australia's national fungi mapping and conservation organisation, for an inspiring and informative interview on-site at Tura Beach Garden Centre with ABC South East Radio's Alice Ansara and Brent Whiter.
Michael will introduce you to the fascinating world of Fungimap — a citizen science initiative dedicated to recording and understanding Australia's incredible fungal diversity. With over 50,000 species of fungi estimated to exist across the country, many still unknown or poorly documented, Fungimap plays a vital role in building knowledge that supports conservation, research, and environmental awareness.
In this engaging interview, Michael will share stories from the field, highlight the importance of fungi in healthy ecosystems, and explain how everyday people can contribute to real scientific discovery simply by observing and recording fungi they encounter in their local environment. Whether you are a bushwalker, gardener, photographer, or curious nature lover, you'll discover how fungi connect forests, recycle nutrients, and quietly underpin life on Earth.
Michael will also introduce the nationwide citizen science event The Great Aussie Fungi Hunt, held annually, and this year in July. This exciting month-long initiative invites Australians of all ages to search for fungi in parks, backyards, forests and reserves, photograph what they find, and upload observations to help scientists better understand fungal distribution and diversity across the country.
