Launching the Underground Advocates Program

From Mapping Fungi to Protecting Them

Launched in 2022, SPUN’s Underground Explorers Program (UEP) has established a global network of researchers and communities to map the biodiversity of Earth’s mycorrhizal fungi. Five years later, the UEP has become a thriving, decentralised community of researchers and local communities working both to document mycorrhizal fungal diversity and to fight for the protection of underground ecosystems. Now, the Underground Advocates Program aims to equip the network of Underground Explorers with tools and support to become effective Underground Advocates (UAs) capable of translating mycological science into action.  

The MOTH Program brings essential expertise in translating scientific insights into legal frameworks and actionable policy interventions. Since 2022, MOTH has developed practical approaches to ensure that policy victories produce real change on—and in—the ground. MOTH has pioneered collaborative models that bridge Indigenous and Western sciences to advance legal protections for more-than-human life, and created extensive educational programming through the MOTH Academy.

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A Decentralized, Community-Led Model

SPUN’s Underground Explorers Program ensures that research is driven by local researchers and communities. This model helps embed research within local contexts and cultures, avoiding prescriptive, one-size-fits-all, approaches. Underground Explorers define their research questions and determine how data are used and applied. SPUN provides funding, sequencing, and technical support—but does not specify research questions or agendas.

Since 2021, SPUN has funded 137 grants across 58 countries, with 81% awarded to Global South researchers and more than half led by women. The UEP network continues to grow as a community of researchers studying mycorrhizal fungi across geo-political divides.

The Underground Advocates Program will deepen this approach by drawing on MOTH’s experience in equipping thinkers and doers from a wide range of fields with tools for effective advocacy. The MOTH Academy has trained more than 120 scientists, community leaders, activists, and storytellers from around the world through its annual courses and its recently launched fellowship program. Underground Advocates will benefit from MOTH’s extensive multimedia educational offerings, as well as from new modules and materials developed specifically for them.

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Turning Data Into Action

As DNA sequencing, remote sensing technologies, and machine learning tools become more accessible, there is growing momentum to mobilize rapidly expanding fungal datasets to influence legal actions and governance interventions in support of conservation, restoration, climate action, and land rights. Recent advances in biodiversity, climate and rights of nature laws and policies offer additional opportunities for impact. Through the Underground Advocates Program, SPUN x MOTH will build on this momentum by supporting researchers to leverage emerging datasets and scientific knowledge in diverse legal and governance contexts.

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Training the Next Generation of Underground Advocates

The program will teach the fundamentals of environmental law, policy, and social change, including tools from legal and policy research. The UAP will help researchers design and execute strategic actions by working across networks and disciplines. Training in media and communication will further support advocates to amplify their efforts by sharing their findings; whether to build local support or to enable peer collaboration across cultures and continents. 

The goal of the Underground Advocates Program is to equip researchers and communities with the scientific and legal understanding to drive lasting change. In doing so, SPUN and MOTH aim to offer a proof-of-concept for a model of environmental protection that is locally led, scientifically grounded, and connected to a global community of practice.

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