UK Network for Fungal Conservation
This new collaborative network between statutory bodies, research institutes, conservation NGOs and other fungal conservation professionals, is a huge step forward for fungal conservation.
In 2025, a new UK Network for Fungal Conservation was launched. Chaired by Plantlife, this is the first collaboration for conservation of fungi of its kind in the UK for over a decade.
The Network brings together representatives from statutory bodies, research institutes, conservation NGOs and other fungal conservation professionals. Together we will work on fungal conservation across the UK, maximising and focussing resources and expertise.
This new group marks a new step in fungal conservation nationally, and makes the most of momentum that has been building for several years.
We aim to create an inclusive and accessible environment to develop existing and new collaborations and partnerships that promote and address the needs of fungal conservation.
The Network for Fungal Conservation has a broad ranging brief, with activities including:
- Acting as a centre point for discussion and awareness raising on fungal conservation
- Facilitating conservation assessments for fungi within the UK and globally, and promoting initiatives to improve and accelerate this process
- Providing evidence-based advice to support the recognition and inclusion of fungi in policy and legislation
- Capturing and collecting knowledge gaps and research questions relating to the conservation, ecology, and biology of fungi, and advise on the prioritisation of these question
- Facilitating the identification and protection of key areas for fungal conservation
- Acting as a point of contact for organisations proposing fungal conservation to advise on best practice advice, peer reviewing, and aid collaboration between organisations
Throughout 2026, the Network will build on the momentum from the launch, working on a collaborative new strategy and delivery plan for fungal conservation in the UK.
The network launched in September last year with an event that brought together professionals from across the fungal conservation sector.
Through talks, networking and workshops, we set about developing the aims of the network. We also focussed our efforts on a new Strategy for Funal Conservation in the UK. Together we will continue our work on this throughout 2026.
If you would like to join the network and become a member, we would ask you to fill out a quick registration form which can be found here.
