Mycoremediation: Decontaminating the Environment with Fungi

Mycoremediation: Decontaminating the Environment with Fungi

Speaker: Garrett Wilkerson

Date: Saturday, November 9th, 2024

Cost: FREE for Members/ $10 for non-members

Address: 6820 Lyndon B. Johnson Fwy, Dallas, TX 75230 - 2nd Floor Straight Ahead of Elevator/Stairs (Follow our Signs)

Time: 10am-12pm

Description: Join the North Texas Mycological Association (NTMA) for an exciting and informative presentation by NTMA Board Member and owner of Pegasus Bags, Garrett Wilkerson! Garrett will be diving into the fascinating world of Mycoremediation: Decontaminating the Environment with Fungi.

Mycoremediation is an innovative field in mycology focused on harnessing the power of fungi to break down pollutants and clean up the environment. Garrett's research centers on the incredible abilities of Pestalotiopsis microspora, a mushroom species native to the Amazon rainforest, which is known for being the fastest colonizer of plastic materials in the world. With over 200 species of fungi capable of colonizing plastic, P. microspora stands out for its speed and efficiency in breaking down these pollutants.

In this presentation, Garrett will cover a variety of topics, including:

- The potential of fungi to degrade plastics and other harmful materials.

- How to identify misleading claims in the market about biodegradable products (often referred to as "greenwashing").

- The role of microbiomes in disintegrating microplastics and other pollutants.

- The promise of fungi in eliminating waste and cleaning up pollution.

This talk is an excellent opportunity to learn about one of the most exciting and impactful areas of mycology today and to discover how fungi are playing a crucial role in combating environmental pollution. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a discussion that could help shape the future of ecological conservation and sustainability.

Be part of the solution and join us for this inspiring presentation!