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Parks Canada is planning a “mushroom bioblitz” this summer where residents and visitors can contribute to scientific research in the NWT’s Nahanni region.
The purpose of the event is to help discover all the different species of fungi that exist in the Nahanni National Park Reserve.
The region is understudied, organizers say, and fungi can provide insight into how well the ecosystem is thriving.
Fungi break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem in which they reside. Discovering which species grow in a region like the Nahanni, and how substantial each population is, can tell researchers how healthy or unhealthy the surrounding ecosystem is.
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From June 30, 2025 until August 15, you can participate in the Nahanni National Park Reserve bioblitz by:
- exploring the park and look for mushrooms and other fungi;
- taking clear photos from multiple angles such as the top, side, gills and base; and
- uploading those photos to the iNaturalist website.
Each different species found will count as a prize draw entry. Prizes available include:
- a Parks Canada sweater for most unique species logged;
- a Parks Canada cup for the best mushroom photo; and
- the likes of hats and waterproof bags as other draw prizes.
“I’ve always had an interest in mushrooms,” said organizer Marie Anderson.
“I remember looking up and seeing a polypore” – a type of mushroom – “on a tree. I remember looking it up, and I found out that my ancestors would use it to move fire around and for teas.”
“I had an opportunity arise to create my own project,” she added. “I was like, heck yeah, it’s gonna be mushrooms.”
