Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Fungal Diversity Survey (FUNDIS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to documenting, understanding, and protecting fungal biodiversity across North America. We bring together community scientists, researchers, conservationists, and land managers to advance fungal research and support the protection of the habitats fungi depend on.

    Through community science, biodiversity research, DNA sequencing, data infrastructure, and conservation partnerships, FUNDIS works to make fungal diversity better understood and better protected.

  • Fungi are essential to healthy ecosystems. They decompose organic matter, cycle nutrients, form relationships with plants, support soil health, and contribute to the resilience of forests, grasslands, and other habitats.

    Despite their ecological importance, fungi remain underdocumented and are often overlooked in conservation planning. Understanding which fungi live where—and the habitats they depend on—is an important step toward protecting biodiversity.

  • FUNDIS stands for the Fungal Diversity Survey.

  • FUNDIS supports fungal biodiversity research and conservation across North America through regional initiatives, community science projects, research partnerships, and field-based surveys. Our programs connect local knowledge and observations with broader scientific research and conservation goals.

  • Community scientists help document fungal diversity by observing, photographing, collecting, and documenting fungi in the field. These contributions can help researchers identify species, expand biodiversity records, prioritize research, and improve our understanding of fungal distributions.

    FUNDIS connects these efforts with identification, DNA sequencing, data validation, and research collaborations to build a stronger foundation for fungal conservation.

About FUNDIS

  • No! You don't need a degree in mycology or years of experience to contribute. Whether you're an experienced mushroom enthusiast, a naturalist, a photographer, or simply curious about fungi, there are opportunities to get involved.

    Follow project guidelines, learn to document observations carefully, and connect with local fungal communities to discover how your interests and skills can contribute.

  • You can participate in field surveys, document fungal observations, photograph specimens, join a Rare Fungi Challenge, attend community events, or contribute specialized skills to a project.

    The best starting point depends on your location and interests. Explore FUNDIS programs and current project opportunities to find a way to participate.

  • Rare Fungi Challenges are collaborative community science initiatives that focus on documenting selected rare, uncommon, or underrecorded fungi within a defined region.

    Participants help locate and document target species, contributing observations and specimens that can support identification, research, and a better understanding of fungal distributions.

    Each challenge brings together community members, mycologists, and conservation partners around a shared goal: improving what we know about fungi that might otherwise remain undocumented.

  • Start by exploring the active challenges and their target species, geographic areas, and participation guidelines. Follow the instructions for documenting observations and submitting records, and connect with the relevant project team if you have questions.

    You do not need to be an expert to participate, but careful documentation and adherence to collection guidelines are important.

  • Yes. Photography, observations, field support, outreach, event organizing, data-related skills, and other contributions can all be valuable. Opportunities vary by project, so check the relevant program guidelines before participating.

  • Observe local regulations and land-access rules, respect sensitive habitats, and avoid disturbing fungi unnecessarily. Some projects may request specimens for scientific identification or DNA sequencing, while others may rely on photographs and observations.

    Always follow the collection guidelines for the project you are participating in. When working with rare or sensitive species, avoid sharing precise locations publicly unless the project team has approved it.

Community Science and Getting Involved

  • Many fungi cannot be reliably identified from appearance alone. DNA sequencing helps researchers distinguish closely related species, investigate uncertain identifications, and recognize fungal diversity that might otherwise go undocumented.

    Combined with careful specimen documentation, expert review, and other evidence, DNA data can strengthen biodiversity records and support future research.

  • No. The appropriate approach depends on the research question, specimen, available resources, and project protocols. Some fungi can be identified using photographs and physical characteristics, while others require microscopic examination, DNA sequencing, or additional analysis.

    FUNDIS works to connect documentation, identification, and sequencing where they can meaningfully advance research.

  • Specimens collected through research projects may be documented, examined, identified, and selected for DNA sequencing or other analyses. Project protocols determine how specimens are handled, preserved, stored, and shared.

    These records can contribute to long-term scientific resources that help researchers understand fungal diversity and distribution.

  • A fungal biodiversity database organizes information about fungal observations, specimens, identifications, locations, and related research data. These records help researchers investigate species distributions, compare findings, identify knowledge gaps, and support future studies.

    Reliable, well-documented data are essential to understanding fungal diversity at both local and continental scales.

  • By improving our understanding of which fungi occur in particular places and what is known about their ecological relationships, FUNDIS helps build the evidence needed for conservation.

    Through research, data development, and collaboration with conservation organizations and land managers, FUNDIS works to make fungal biodiversity more visible in habitat assessment, land management, and conservation planning.

Research, DNA Sequencing, and Data

  • Yes. Collaboration is central to our work. FUNDIS seeks to connect mycological societies, research institutions, conservation organizations, community science groups, land managers, and other partners.

    Partnerships can support regional surveys, Rare Fungi Challenges, DNA sequencing, education, volunteer engagement, data sharing, and conservation initiatives.

  • We welcome conversations with organizations interested in advancing fungal biodiversity research and conservation. Potential collaborations may include regional projects, community science initiatives, research partnerships, conservation planning, education and outreach, and sponsorship of specific programs.

    Contact FUNDIS to discuss your organization's interests and how we might work together.

  • Researchers can explore opportunities to collaborate on fungal surveys, specimen identification, DNA sequencing, biodiversity data, regional projects, and conservation research.

    If you have a project idea, research question, or dataset that could benefit from collaboration, reach out to discuss potential alignment with FUNDIS programs and priorities.

  • Businesses, foundations, and other funders can support fungal biodiversity research and conservation through financial contributions, program sponsorships, in-kind donations, equipment, services, and collaborative initiatives.

    Support can help fund fieldwork, DNA sequencing, community science, research infrastructure, education, and conservation partnerships.

Partnerships and Collaboration

  • You can support FUNDIS by making a donation, sponsoring a project or species, supporting a Rare Fungi Challenge, participating in community science, volunteering your skills, or introducing us to potential partners and funders.

    Every contribution helps strengthen the research, documentation, and collaborative work needed to understand and protect fungal biodiversity.

  • Donations help sustain the work behind fungal biodiversity research and conservation. Depending on the designation of your gift and current funding priorities, support may contribute to:

    • Community science and field surveys

    • Specimen documentation and DNA sequencing

    • Research and biodiversity data infrastructure

    • Rare Fungi Challenges and regional initiatives

    • Education, outreach, and volunteer engagement

    • Conservation partnerships and organizational capacity

    Please reach out to us for available giving options and any specific program designations.

  • Where designated giving options are available, you may be able to direct your contribution toward a particular program or initiative. Check the current donation options or contact FUNDIS to discuss supporting a specific project.

  • Yes. Sponsorships can help support research projects, fieldwork, community science initiatives, education, and conservation programs. FUNDIS welcomes conversations with businesses whose interests align with biodiversity, science, environmental stewardship, and conservation.

    Contact us to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

Donations and Support

  • California FUNDIS is a regional initiative focused on documenting and understanding the state's fungal biodiversity. Through field expeditions, specimen documentation, DNA sequencing, and collaboration with community scientists and researchers, the initiative works to expand knowledge of California's fungi.

  • California contains a remarkable diversity of ecosystems, from coastal forests and grasslands to deserts, mountains, and oak woodlands. Documenting the fungi associated with these environments helps establish a stronger understanding of the state's biodiversity and supports future research and conservation.

  • Explore current projects and opportunities to participate in fieldwork, document fungi, contribute relevant skills, or support research and conservation efforts. Participation opportunities and requirements vary by project.

California FUNDIS

Media, Education, and General Questions

  • FUNDIS welcomes opportunities to connect people with fungal biodiversity research and conservation. If you are organizing an educational event, community program, presentation, or collaborative initiative, contact us to discuss your goals and potential opportunities.

  • Yes. Journalists and media professionals can contact FUNDIS for information about fungal biodiversity, community science, research initiatives, conservation partnerships, and organizational programs. Please include your topic, deadline, and the type of information or expertise you are seeking.

  • Explore FUNDIS programs, research initiatives, community science opportunities, and educational resources. Participating in local mycological groups, field events, and guided fungal surveys is also a great way to deepen your understanding.

  • We'd love to hear from you. Contact FUNDIS with your question, and let us know whether you're interested in community science, research, conservation partnerships, volunteering, sponsorship, or supporting our work.

Community science. Biodiversity research. Conservation action.

Together, we can build a deeper understanding of fungal diversity and help protect the ecosystems that depend on it.