Positive fungal news from last year to start this 2026
We want to start the year with good fungal news, sharing some of the things we worked on in 2025. From international policy advances to new research projects, ethical ethnomycology, artistic collaborations, documentaries, and growing public engagement, our work reflects a shared momentum to ensure fungi are finally seen, valued, and protected as a fundamental part of life on Earth.
January 1, 2026
FFungi Staff
FFungi Volunteer
During 2025, at the Fungi Foundation we continued working toward a mycologically inclusive world, in which fungi are fully considered in global conversations on biodiversity, conservation, education, art and culture. The year marked significant progress in how fungi are recognised and protected across public policy, scientific research, education, and the arts, while also strengthening long-term collaborations with Indigenous communities, governments, researchers, and cultural institutions. From concrete policy advances in Chile, the UK, Austria, and international UN processes to new research initiatives, ethical ethnomycology, and growing public engagement, these achievements reflect a shared momentum to ensure fungi are finally seen, valued, and conserved as a fundamental part of life on Earth.
Here are some of our key achievements:
National fungal agendas strengthened in Chile and the United Kingdom (UK), including an upcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chile’s Ministry of the Environment and the launch of a binational platform to implement the Fungal Conservation Pledge.
Scientists from the Kichwa Indigenous People of Sarayaku (Ecuador) were trained in molecular identification techniques for mushrooms in collaboration with NYU.
Pioneer study of rust fungi in Tierra del Fuego and Alerce Andino National Park, led by Dr. M. Catherine Aime’s team and the Fungi Foundation as local partners.
Traditional Mycological Knowledge documentation conducted together with Mapuche, Q’ero, Ccorca, and Kichwa communities across Chile, Peru, and Ecuador.
Fungi were brought into leading international art and cultural spaces through large exhibitions in Brussels, Santiago, and Hamburg.
Opened new museum in Huautla de Jiménez:Historias y Memorias Mazatecas, a meeting place for Mazatec culture and traditions.
Co-authored three new peer-reviewed scientific papers.
Forty five news publications, including articles, podcasts and videos featuring our work across 14 countries, including the UK, US, Chile, India, Germany, Brazil and Spain, among others.
Expanded our team to 14 people working across 8 countries. This reflects our commitment to advancing conservation, research, policy, education, and public engagement globally.
Participated in ten international events including keynote address at the School of World Religions in Harvard Divinity School, Ladera Sur Festival in Chile, and Telluride Mushroom Festival in the US.
Important advances in 2025
Formal recognition of fungi advanced within UN CBD processes toward COP17.
The Fungal Conservation Pledge is now signed by 13 countries, including Ethiopia, while Armenia has committed to be a “Fungi Champion” as the host country of the next UN CBD COP17.
Chilean and British delegations aligned to formally include fungi within the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
We have continued to contribute to the drafting of targets for the Global Strategy for Fungal Conservation.
Fungi moving towards full integration into Chile’s education system through their inclusion in the national school curriculum and a new alliance with the Ministry of Education.
Conservation plans for Loyo and Gargal: foundations laid for conservation plans of two endangered edible Chilean species.
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