Alison Pouliot is an ecologist, writer and photographer who specialises in fungi. She led a touch, sight and smell fungi learning experience at a Biodiversity Conservation Trust and YAN funded workshop near Murrumbateman on 15 May.
Alison displayed a comprehensive range of fungi which was collected from this region especially for the workshop. (All fresh fungi was disposed of at the end of the workshop because Alison told us that as the fungi deteriorated a bacterial smell is generated thus reducing its role as a smelling experience for future workshops).
There are twelve criteria to assess when attempting to classify fungi as there are a lot of dangerous look alikes to edible fungi. Alison's latest book 'Wild Mushrooming' clearly outlines the common edible species and their dangerous doppelgangers.
Fungi creates vital underground networks and their presence reflects the health of a site. So next time you walk through an undisturbed site look out for those small brown, white or yellow or not so small colourful fungi.
