Future Events
Talks are held at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research in the Main Seminar room, 764 Cumberland Street, Dunedin. Please be prompt as we have to hold the door open. Zoom links for the talks are sent to members, join the BSO here.
Trips leave from the Department of Botany car park.
New Zealand’s amazing diversity of Lichens - ways to Enlichenment!
Wednesday 11th of October 2023, 05:20 PM (1 week from now)
Contact: Allison Knight
Speaker: Marley Ford, Private Consultant.
Lichens are a conspicuous part of New Zealand’s ecosystems, but a group not well known by many. Working towards curing ‘lichen blindness’ this talk offers an introduction into the symbiotic world of lichenized fungi. From mountains to the sea, lichens can survive anywhere… even space? In New Zealand we have 10% of the world's lichen diversity with more than 2050 species. Many more are undescribed or unreported. Of our currently recognised species over half are classed as “Data Deficient” - meaning we know little about their distribution, abundance, and ecology. Further, New Zealand currently has no full-time lichenologists and only a handful of people working on them at all. From sexy pavement lichen to one named after Jacinda Arden – these enigmas are all around us! Find out what a lichen is, what they do and how you can go about identifying them, plus an outline of where to find the best and most current lichen resources in New Zealand.
Lichen & Fungal Foray to Knights Bush
Saturday 14th of October 2023, 10:00 AM (2 weeks from now)
Contact: Allison Knight
This 230 ha property bordering the Clutha River conserves some of the last remaining native forest from the lakes to the sea. There are hundreds of lichens for your Enlichenment amidst regenerating and old-growth kanuka, silver and black beech, ancient totara and matai on the southern slopes, regenerating podocarp/broad-leaf forest on the river flat and kowhai/divaricating shrubs on the sunny north faces. Spring will bring a flush of other unique fungi and David Orlovich will be on hand to help explore and identify them, while Allison Knight and Marley Ford will share their lichen expertise. Tracks are steep and could be slippery. 4WD is recommended and carpooling is needed as parking is limited. To book email Allison Knight: allison.knight.nz@gmail.com by 10th October.
The behaviour of mushroom populations
Wednesday 8th of November 2023, 05:20 PM (1 month from now)
Contact: Lydia Turley
Mushroom-forming fungi are important components of ecosystems. We can observe mushrooms, but the rest of the fungus is not so easy to observe. How much information can we extract from collections of mushrooms? What can genetic data tell us? Come hear about some of the challenges in studying fungi and how maths can help.
Tautuku Adventure
Saturday 11th of November 2023, 07:30 AM (1 month from now)
Contact: Gretchen Brownstein | brownsteing@landcareresearch.co.nz | 0210658497
This is an adventurous trip to the Lenz Reserve at Tautuku in the Catlins. We will follow local experts along trapline routes through mixed old growth and regenerating podocarp forest. There is potential for exciting plant sightings. This trip requires a high level of fitness; we will be covering up to 10km of very rough routes through dense forest. Bring tramping boots, wet weather gear, lunch, water, and first aid kit. Contact Gretchen Brownstein (brownsteing@landcareresearch.co.nz). Meet at Botany Carpark 7:30am to carpool (drive time: 2hrs one way, ~300kms return trip). Return 7pm.