Become a collector

AFDI is entirely run by volunteers, all with no formal background in mycology. If you like bushwalking and looking for fungi, we need you to help us collect.

What’s involved

The process is simple:

  • Go for a bushwalk
  • Take pictures of fungi
  • Collect the fungi
  • Dry the fungi
  • Upload pictures to iNaturalist
  • Mail the fungi for sequencing

Photo: Tannar Coolhaas

Requirements

You should:

  • Enjoy bushwalking
  • Enjoy looking for mushrooms
  • Be able to follow the collector protocol
  • Have an iNaturalist account

Some mycological knowledge is ideal, but we welcome all beginners. We especially invite collectors from regional and rural parts of Australia to improve our understanding of the distributions of different species.

Photo: Todd Huang

What you will need

  • Phone/camera
  • Tackle box
  • Ruler
  • Dehydrator
  • Resealable snack bags

Optional: UV torch, pocket knife, potassium hydroxide solution (to observe colour reactions)

Ready to sign up? Fill out this form and we’ll get in touch with you.

Have you read the collector protocol?

Other ways to get involved

If you would to assist with specimen preparation and organization (e.g. placing samples in well plates, or organizing specimens for herbarium deposition), please contact Todd at ausfungi@ausfungi.org.

We work on different land types, including national parks, state forests, council land, and private property. If you are a property owner and want to survey your property to collect undescribed macrofungi, you are more than welcome to contact us.