Programs

• Education & Hands-on Workshops: Free workshops on mycology, composting, urban tree care and soils

• Public Art: Experience mushroom-based sculptures at the Myco Research Station

• Community Science: Participate in research to better understand the benefits of fungi for Austin’s urban forest and soils

Why HEALTHY SOILS, HEALTHY TREES?

With extreme heat, drought and flooding expected to increase over the coming decade, Austin’s urban forest will face significant challenges. This is particularly critical in areas such as East Austin which has some of the lowest canopy coverage rates across the City and may be more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and urbanization. The Healthy Soils, Healthy Trees initiative will explore ways to address this through community-based science, art and education focused on the connections between soil health, urban forests and mycology in Central Texas.

Upcoming

PAST Events

Volunteer Work Days

• Sept. 25, 2022 (10am - 1pm): Join us for a volunteer work day at the Myco Research Station. We’ll focus on replacing wooden posts and beams to secure the structure as well as planning for soil building and community science experiments. We are in particular need of volunteers who have carpentry skills and access to a pick-up truck. Register.

• Oct. 9, 2022 (11am - 2pm): This session we’ll be working on securing the research station structure, inoculating mulch with saprophytic mushrooms, and more! Register

• Nov. 4, 2022: Tree planting event in Roy G. Guerrero Park.

• Dec. 4, 2022: Tree planting event in Roy G. Guerrero Park.

• May 21, 2023: Myco Research Station maintenance and tree monitoring at Circle Acres. Register

Can’t make these events? Sign-up here to stay in the loop.

PAST Workshops

Fluorescent Forest: The Thinning of the Veil

Oct. 29, 2022

Join us at the Myco Research Station in Circle Acres Preserve for a series of family-friendly events. In the afternoon, starting at 4pm, join artist Samantha Sanders for a myco sculpture making workshop and learn how to build healthy soil using recycled mushroom blocks. We will also be doing demos on how to inoculate logs to grow mushrooms and also break down logs so their nutrients can be returned to the soil. As the sun sets, join us as we explore the diverse, nocturnal ecosystem of Circle Acres with UV flashlights to look for night pollinators, glowing plants, fungus, lichens and more.  There will be a walk and talk that emphasizes fungi’s role in transforming a former dumpsite into a thriving urban forest and the fungi’s larger role in climate change mitigation.

The Mycelium Connection: Exploring the healing connections between trees, soil and fungi

January 28, 2023

Join us at Circle Acres Preserve for a special workshop co-led by Jesus “Jes” Garcia, Founder of The Herbal Action Project. Jes will lead participants through an immersive plant meditation and land healing ceremony to connect our mind, body and spirit to the healing connections between fungi, soils and trees. Participants will have the chance to connect with trees recently planted in Roy Guerrero Park as part of CTMS’s Healthy Soils, Healthy Trees program, and create a community altar with recycled mushroom blocks as we invite healing from the season and elements. Plus learn more about how you can use fungi in your garden or next tree planting project to promote healthy, microbial rich soils and how you can get involved in myceliating Austin’s urban forest.

Sheet Mulching with Mycelium: Build Resilient Planting Beds!

Sunday, April 23, 2023

Do you have too much turfgrass or a spot that seems too shady for anything to grow? In this workshop, we’ll discuss how to transform your landscape into useful beds for edibles, pollinator plants, and drought-tolerant native plants by sheet mulching with mycelium (mushrooms!). Sheet mulching is a lo-tek, no-dig, permaculture gardening practice of removing unwanted vegetation and building fertile soil by layering organic matter and letting it compost in place. While the layers suppress weeds by blocking sunlight, the soil below is allowed to regenerate.

LOCATION

Circle Acres Nature Preserve, Austin, TX 78741

Support is provided by the City of Austin’s Urban Forest Grant Program, Wildroot Organic AND VOLUNTEERS! Thank you!