In collaboration with researchers, campaigners, and local communities, SPUN aims to accelerate efforts to protect underground ecosystems largely absent from biodiversity and climate agendas.
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Change begins right at home. If you have access to any sort of space with soil — big or small — you can help encourage the growth of healthy mycorrhizal networks. Read our how-to guide to learn more.
To protect mycorrhizal fungi, it is important for everyone to get involved in conservation efforts. One effective way to contribute is by reaching out to your government representative. Let them know how vital these fungi are to all life on Earth and express your concerns about their lack of protection.
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Find out who your representatives are at the local, provincial, and/or national levels. You can typically find your representative's contact information online. Your country may have a national or provincial database you can search through by entering your address.
Decide what format you want to reach out in. Depending on your country, an email or phone call may be the quickest way to connect with your politician, but a handwritten letter can be more effective.
Begin drafting your response - we provide an example letter below as a reference, which you can use as is after adding your details. However, government officials tend to pay more attention if this issue personally affects you, so please share your own story and customize this letter to reflect your personal experience and concerns:
Send your response - via email, post, or by leaving a voice message with their office. Congratulations - you’ve taken a major step towards letting politicians know that fungi need to be a priority!
SPUN supports the Fauna Flora Funga Initiative. Fungi have long supported and enriched life on our planet and can help address many urgent environmental problems. It is time for fungi to be recognized within legal conservation frameworks and protected on an equal footing with animals and plants.
Learn more and add your name.
We encourage you to explore and search for mycological societies in your area, as they can provide valuable resources and connect you with fellow fungi enthusiasts. These are just a few examples of mycological societies and associations worldwide.
This is not a complete list. If you don’t see your local association on this list, contact us so we can add it here.
Are you a researcher who is already sampling or monitoring soil plots? Do you want to help contribute to open-access mycorrhizal maps across the Earth? Apply now to join our network of associates.
Through our Underground Explorers Program, we collaborate with researchers and local communities to map mycorrhizal fungal networks.
Local researchers have the opportunity to apply for small grants to sample soil ecosystems for fungal DNA in underexplored regions across the world. Read more about our explorer expeditions and apply here when grant applications are open.
Young people are demanding urgent climate action, and want to participate in the decision-making processes that impact their futures. SPUN Youth works to amplify young voices to protect underground ecosystems.
Sign up to learn more about the SPUN Youth program and opportunities to get involved.
Your donation will directly fund researchers mapping fungi across some of the most critical and hard-to-access underground ecosystems on Earth. Our Underground Explorers program provides support to document and leverage fungal communities in restoration, conservation, sustainable agriculture, and climate action.
Support scientists around the world collecting data to Protect the Underground by making a tax-deductible donation to SPUN.
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