I am organising the formation of a new Fungus Group in Gloucestershire with the emphasis on recording and to be involved in
more research, identification sharing and analysis. To be known as
'Gloucestershire Fungus Recording & Research Group' (GFRRG), keen local
amateur mycologist Tony Hardware is seeking like-minded individuals to join him
in moving the recording of fungi in a new direction. The group will not impinge
on any other Fungus Groups in the area as the aims are different, such as this
group won't be organising public forays, visiting popular sites or other
similar events.
The object of the GFRRG is to
study, record and confirm fungi from the key classes of fungi, such as
Basidiomycota and Ascomycota but is not restricted from other types or classes.
It is also a longer-term aim to become self-sufficient in DNA sequencing and
analysis acquired through training, purchase of suitable equipment and
chemicals. To potentially expanding this as a service to other similarly minded
volunteer fungus research groups or individual field mycologists. Collection of
voucher material will be encouraged if deemed advantageous to science. It is to
also encourage a greater awareness and understanding of fungal conservation in
the community and sharing of research data, trends and observations with other
fungus groups. It is also aims to collaborate between field and
academic/institutional taxonomists. The GFRRG is dedicated to confirming and
recording fungi through experienced or enthusiastic volunteer field mycologists
during Field Study Days/Weeks. Collecting will be discouraged. Areas to be
covered include county boundaries of Gloucestershire VC 33 (East) and VC 34
(West) - excluding the Forest of Dean and areas between The Severn and The Wye
rivers.
Fungi identified and generating
suitable interest on Field Study Days will be provided to the BMS via their
FRDBI database (Fungal Records Database of Britain and Ireland) and to any
other interested professional organisations. Habitat studies and other trends,
observations etc., will also be written up for publication, if accepted.
Sites to be studied will be
selected by members of the group and may include annual visits to some special
sites. Due to the need to visit private sites and avoidance of interference
with farm animals, wildfowl etc., dogs will not be allowed. Health & Safety
is covered at each event using a Risk Assessment prior to starting.
Subscriptions: £10.00/yr – to
cover support costs such as hosting of members' only website, access fees,
group DNA analysis requests and any other general admin. expenses. To join the
group please provide a brief mycology CV of your experience, qualifications,
etc. Prospective interested members with limited experience but willing to
learn are still encouraged to join on an individual basis where help and
support will be given.
There are many ancient and wet
woodlands, heathlands, quarries, parks and natural grasslands within the
County, most of which reside in the Cotswolds, an Area of Natural Beauty, the
third largest in the UK. There are countless sites not surveyed or not covered
for many years. The opportunity for finding, recording and reporting across the
county is endless and where in the West of the county (other than the Forest of
Dean) it has not been actively covered before.
To join and become a inaugural member and share in-depth
knowledge of Fungi and identification then please me, Tony Hardware by
email: gloucfungusrrg@gmail.com or Telephone 07487 858610. A backgrounder of
his experiences, etc., can be found via this Fungi Blog at:
tonyhardwarefungifinds.blogspot.com. I recently surveyed The Isles of Scilly
helping to identify two new species of agarics for the UK and most of Europe as
well as 154 other species.
