CSC staff supporting ‘Fungi Field Day’ to promote public engagement with fungal science

On Saturday, 28th September, the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens will host Fungi Field Day, a lively event celebrating the fascinating world of fungi and their vital relationships with plants, in the lead-up to UK Fungus Day. The event will feature an array of activities aimed at raising public awareness about the role of fungi in ecosystems, with strong support from the Crop Science Centre (CSC) staff. 

CSC researchers, including Jen McGaley, Saskia, Evan, Martina, Liam, Ben, and Mathis, will be on hand throughout the day, helping to run various interactive stalls, games, and educational activities. Their involvement highlights the CSC’s commitment to engaging the public in crucial areas of science, particularly the intricate connections between fungi and plant health.

Visitors can look forward to expert talks on fungi-plant interactions, guided fungal forays through the Botanic Gardens, and a science outreach stall where microscopes will reveal the hidden fungi that live within plant roots. Attendees can also participate in fun, family-friendly games, such as the ‘Mycorrhiza Relay Race,’ and ‘The Adventures of a Friendly Fungus’, which is an online game taking the player through the life of a mycorrhizal fungus, with many puzzles along the way. There will also be creative activities, such as mycorrhizal-inspired ‘artscaping’, offered in collaboration with the arts and wellbeing charity Cambridge Curiosity and Imagination. As part of ‘artscaping’ participants will use natural inks to paint the underground fungal networks that lie beneath our feet

Whether you’re curious about fungi or eager to learn more about the role they play in our ecosystems, Fungi Field Day promises to be a fun and informative experience for all ages. To find out more visit this webpage https://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/whats-on/fungi-field-day/

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