An adventure full of mushrooms

On a Friday morning, our Education Lead, Diana Richards, and 21 enthusiastic secondary school pupils from the Team Wilderness group got together to learn about the fungal kingdom. Their mission was simple but important: to explore, learn and ignite a passion for fungi, so often overlooked. Throughout the day, it became clear that the forest floor held secrets and wonders the children had never imagined.

Diana, who had previously been a teacher, turned the outing into a fun outdoor class. The children were encouraged to observe the fungi up close, describing their shapes, colours and unique textures. They learned about the different types of fungi, their essential ecological roles and the fascinating symbiotic relationships they form with other organisms.

Equipped with magnifying glasses and an infectious curiosity, the children explored the forest floor in search of fungi. Each time they discovered something, they exclaimed happily, “Fungi!”. The students found species—most of them mushrooms—of all sizes and shapes. Every discovery prompted amazement and admiration, sparking a flurry of questions and a genuine desire to delve deeper into the mysterious world of fungi.

One of the highlights of the excursion was the children’s amazement at learning about mycorrhizal fungi. Diana explained how these underground networks (mycorrhizae) form essential alliances with trees, transferring nutrients to them and helping their growth. The discovery that trees and fungi collaborate like good friends left the young people fascinated.

At the end of the excursion, laughter and enthusiasm filled the forest. Diana asked the children what they had thought of the experience. The response was unanimous: they wanted more! Many of them expressed a renewed interest in learning more about fungi and now dream of becoming future mycologists, botanists, or environmental scientists.

The Fundación Fungi excursion left a lasting impression on all the participants. It was proof of the power of education through direct contact with nature to inspire young people to appreciate and protect the natural world. When the children left the forest that day, they carried with them not only memories of the fungi they discovered, but also a sense of curiosity and a deep respect for the interconnectedness of living beings.

The Fundación Fungi initiative to provide free educational resources and organise outings to explore the world of fungi is, without doubt, sowing the spores of a generation that is more aware of fungi, and paving the way towards a greener, more sustainable future. Through these kinds of experiences, we hope to establish a deeper connection with nature and foster a generation that appreciates the wonders we often overlook, hidden beneath our feet.

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Text translated by Catherine Euale, Volunteer with Fundación Fungi’s Education Programme.