Keynote – Café Champignon: Book Launch & Soiree

Following in the French tradition of Café Philosophique, Café Champignon brings the curiosities of the Kingdom Fungi into active conversation. In this interactive seminar and discussion, Alison will introduce us to both the science and aesthetics of fungi. She’ll share her experiences in the field with conservation groups and rangers, First Nations people and farmers, scientists and artists and others to ponder these curious organisms through multiple lenses. In particular, we’ll explore how we might navigate the tensions between ecology, aesthetics and conservation.

We will also launch Alison’s new book, which is both about fungi, and the photography of fungi. The title – Funga Obscura – unites the two. Through her stories we’ll cross continents and ecosystems, navigate lichen-covered landscapes, crawl in the fungal undergrowth, scale glacial extremes and duck between rainforest shadows.

Afterwards, you can enjoy a light fungi supper and the opportunity to purchase signed copies of Alison’s…