Recompose & Catalyze

Returning to celebrate the above and below ground expressions of all fungi, this year’s Rad Myco centers its discussions and activities on two of the central roles that mycelia play in the wild: to recompose life and to catalyze renewal.

Rather than label the digestive prowess of fungi as merely an act of decomposition – a term fraught with negative connotations – we see the molecular changes that fungi perform as keystone steps in a spiraling continuum of remodeling the essences of life. Their work is a type of chemical dance: a movement of atoms and a shuffling of bonds that is ever in flux and which underlies the perpetual flows of Earth. In reflection, we too are in a constant state of recomposing our sense of self, just as the cells in our body get cycled out every few years.

In kinship comes the initiation of novel and emergent acts – evolution. Fungi promote a myriad of chemical and nutrient transformations in their soils and substrates that are unparalleled by other organisms. Without their molecular magic and transmutations of matter, life as we know it would largely come to a standstill. They pioneer the return of species in devastated habitats, and revert recalcitrant compounds to bioavailable solutes that nourish the macro and micro food webs. We too can be great catalysts in the world, if only we tap into our inner strengths. Our individual acts can create profound change in the lives and land around us, with effects that might not be measurable or known for years.

In both these modes of service, fungi remind us of their ancient act of co-creating life, and to honor the humble, human version of those traits that we all carry. As you travel to Rad Myco this fall, we invite you consider what aspects of your life are going through a state of rebirth and what you would like to initiate in the next phase of your life. We will be making space for attendees to express and honor these changes in their life throughout the gathering as we celebrate the growth of Rad Myco and its community of mycofolk.  

2024 Featured Fungi

Anthracobia – The Phoenicoid Fungi

The genus we lift up this year as the embodiment of this theme is Anthracobia, the phoenicoid fungi. A small, bright, yellow-orange, cup-shaped collection of mushrooms, this genus is often overlooked due to its stature and lack of edibility. Yet, these mighty, mini mushrooms are powerful initiators of growth in some of the most devastated habitats, notably appearing as the first sign of life after a lava flow or devastating forest fire. Their mycelial mats may aggregate soil particles in these highly erodable lands, making them pivotal species in early system recovery after disturbance, where they minimize the movement of soil in the absence of plant roots.

We celebrate the Anthracobia this year for their underdog strengths, unmatched resilience in the face of great loss, and subtle, fire-of-life qualities that remind us to hold strong through trying times. Join us this fall to learn more about all that this important genus offers.