Fungi have long fascinated scientists and aficionados alike. These strange and often misunderstood life-forms are sought-after for food, medicine, building materials, psychedelic journeys and much more. They can store planet-warming carbon and are vital for other species’ survival. Experts estimate there are more than 2.5 million species globally, but we only really know about 6% of them. Like other wildlife, they face threats from climate change, pollution and habitat loss. A new mycology program from the nonprofit NatureServe aims to identify fungi at risk of decline and extinction and develop ways to protect them.
