Healthy Soils, Healthy Trees
Healthy Soils, Healthy Trees is a community science and art initiative exploring the connections between soil health, urban forests and mycology in Central Texas. Organized by Central Texas Mycological Society in partnership with Ecology Action of Texas, the project will activate the Myco Research Station at Circle Acres Preserve with hands-on workshops, public art, and a community science effort to investigate the role fungi play in soil and forest health.
The goal of the program is to foster stewardship and learning about urban forestry and mycology and to better understand the benefits of fungi for Austin’s urban forest. Join us!
Overview of HSHT
Programs
Education & Hands-on Workshops: Free workshops on mycology, composting, urban tree care and soils
Public Art: Experience mushroom-based sculptures at the Myco Research Station
Community Science: Participate in research to better understand the benefits of fungi for Austin’s urban forest and soils
Why HEALTHY SOILS, HEALTHY TREES?
With extreme heat, drought and flooding expected to increase over the coming decade, Austin’s urban forest will face significant challenges. This is particularly critical in areas such as East Austin which has some of the lowest canopy coverage rates across the City and may be more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and urbanization. The Healthy Soils, Healthy Trees initiative will explore ways to address this through community-based science, art and education focused on the connections between soil health, urban forests and mycology in Central Texas.
Caring for Trees with Mushrooms
This guide will show you how to use mushrooms to care for trees and improve soil quality. Learn more about our Healthy Soils, Healthy Trees initaitive, and how to get acess to a muhsrooom block here in Central Texas!
Upcoming
PAST Events
October 26, 2024: Tree and Mushroom Block Giveaway at Día de los Muertos: A Roots & Wings Festival Event with Red Salmon Arts
September 14, 2024: Microscopy Class & "Soil"-cial Pool Party with Matt Powers
May 25, 2024: Mycoremediation Workshop with Daniel Reyes, founder of the Myco Research Station
December 10, 2023: Next Level Composting! How to Create a Johnson-Su Bioreactor
December 9 2023: Decompose / Descompone: A public art walk at Circle Acres!
October 29, 2023: Myco Art & Materials Workshop with Sam of Fruiting Body Apothecary
September 30, 2023: Cultivating Biodiversity and Climate Resilience with Mushrooms. A conversation with Andie Marsh from Rhizos, Cristina Campbell from COA, Colin Averill from Funga about the role fungi can play to address land conservation and regeneration, and cultivate resilience to climate change and other challenges in Central Texas.
April 23, 2023: Sheet Mulching with Mycelium: Build Resilient Planting Beds with Leah Churner from Delta Dawn Gardens.
April 1, 2023: Discovering the Soil Food Web: Exploring connections between fungi, trees and soils! Workshop on the science and potential of the soil food web with Austin Community College professor of horticulture, Ellen Beaman, scientist Andie Marsh from Rhizos, and Gabriel Miller from CTMS.
January 23, 2023: The Mycelium Connection: Exploring the healing connections between trees, soil and fungi with Jesus Garcia.
Sept. 25, 2022: Join us for a volunteer work day at the Myco Research Station. We’ll focus on replacing wooden posts and beams to secure the structure as well as planning for soil building and community science experiments. We are in particular need of volunteers who have carpentry skills and access to a pick-up truck. Register.
Oct. 9, 2022: This session we’ll be working on securing the research station structure, inoculating mulch with saprophytic mushrooms, and more! Register
Nov. 4, 2022: Tree planting event in Roy G. Guerrero Park.
Dec. 4, 2022: Tree planting event in Roy G. Guerrero Park.
May 21, 2023: Myco Research Station maintenance and tree monitoring at Circle Acres. Register
Can’t make these events? Sign-up here to stay in the loop.
GET INVOLVED
Email us to get involved and discuss ways to partner and collaborate!
HEALTHY SOILS TEAM
Angel Schatz, Project Lead
April Colon, Data Science
Louis Keller, Soil Science
Eric Paulus, Ecology Action of Texas
LOCATION
Circle Acres Nature Preserve, Austin, TX 78741
Support is provided by the City of Austin’s Urban Forest Grant Program, Wildroot Organic AND VOLUNTEERS! Thank you!
