NAMA Webinar: How Fungi Can Inspire Rethinking Conservation & Stewardship
Letting grief stop us in our tracks to love the world back together.
Dear Fellow Myconauts,
I am writing to share a webinar planned months ago, which will be this Thursday, January 16th, at 5 pm Pacific on How Fungi Can Inspire Rethinking Conservation & Stewardship. I am honored to speak with the North American Mycological Association (NAMA) community. This will be a version of my talk in Washington at the Pacific Northwest NAMA annual gathering in October & November 2024. I will share some of my initial reflections on grief and the fires of Los Angeles in this webinar (read on to learn more about the talk).
The fires that continue to burn in Los Angeles have devastated my community and me here in Los Angeles. I am grateful for the community and love reaching out during these harrowing fires. It is overwhelming as I try to wrap my head around things.
My livelihood has been based in these forests and urban areas that have burned. I fell in love with fungi and found my community in these places. These areas are where I do my fungal conservation research, lead outdoor education classes, and are filled with the places I love and go to rest and recreate in the big city.
For instance, Eaton Canyon is where I met my wonderful partner Vanessa on one of the many mushroom walks I have held there. They grew up a few blocks away from the canyon. We’ve spent our special occasions and holidays in these woodlands, finding joy and wonder.
We’re taking things hour by hour, day by day right now. Letting the grief stop me in my tracks as it comes in waves. We’ve had to evacuate after getting sick from being smoked out last week.
Stay with the trouble, y’all, and be kind to yourselves. We need to feel through this. As Robin Wall Kimmerer says in Braiding Sweetgrass:
“If grief can be a doorway to love, then let us all weep for the world we are breaking apart so we can love it back to wholeness again.”
NAMA Webinar - How Fungi Can Inspire Rethinking Conservation & Stewardship
Come along to learn some insights Aaron has learned while leading NAMA's recently formed Conservation & Stewardship Committee.
Aaron will cover:
What is conservation mycology, and how does stewardship play a role in it?
How can fungi help us rethink how we do conservation?
How can members and organizations affiliated with NAMA contribute to fungal conservation and stewardship?
Join us to see how states such as Pennsylvania, Oregon, and California have recently dedicated funding to fungal conservation research. Learn how you can contribute to securing funding for local and regional fungal conservation efforts!
Note all Exploring the Mycoverse and Theodore Payne Foundation events are postponed until further notice due to the Los Angeles fires.
A family of deer was eating together under the oak elders last weekend before the fires in the San Gabriel foothills where the fires are currently burning.
Spread the spores,
Aaron
Aaron, It’s reaffirming to hear we’re grieving together. I’ve been emotionally off balance since this catastrophe began. Feeling helpless searching for ways I can help. I look forward attending your webinar.
D Sands