Connecting Nature Case studies tagged with mycotourism

The mycological trail of Poblet. A way to promote the mycotourism and related activities

Submitted by Bonet on 1 April 2020

The Mycological Trail of Poblet has a double objective. On the one hand, the aim is to raise awareness among visitors about the mycological richness of the protected area targeting the most relevant fungal species, and on the other hand, to promote mycotourism in the area. The Mycological Trail is located in the conservation area of Poblet which is visited by thousands of mushroom pickers every autumn season.

SITKA SERVICES: A succesful company promoting mycotourism

Submitted by Bonet on 9 April 2020

In response to the growing international curiosity about truffles we offer Black Truffle tours in Soria Spain in February, when these truffles are ripe! Our guests will meet local truffle growers, their skilled dogs, and learn all about truffle ecology. This is an invitation to explore Soria, a region rich in culinary traditions, heartfelt hospitality, spectacular natural beauty and a fascinating heritage from Celtic, Roman, Moorish, and medieval times. It offers an opportunity for cultural and scientific exchanges between truffle and mushroom enthusiasts from all over the world.

Grevena, the town of mushrooms

Submitted by Kalliopi Stara on 22 April 2020

Characteristic landscape around Grevena town

Over the last 20 years, an unprecedented phenomenon of micophilia is recorded in Greece, accompanied by remarkable social, economic, cultural and research activity. The focus of this activity is Grevena, a small town of 13,500 inhabitants at an altitude of 530 meters at the northeastern end of the North Pindos National Park, in Western Macedonia. In recent years Grevena has been considered in the consciousness of the Greeks as synonymous with mushrooms and it is recognized today as the undisputed mushroom capital of the Balkans.

EUROPEAN MYCOLOGICAL INSTITUTE (EMI): Towards the Territorial Cooperation of wild edible mushrooms

Submitted by Bonet on 14 April 2020

The EMI’s mission is to support the wild edible mushrooms sector in Europe. The EMI's origin relies on: a) the lack of data and reliable statistics, b) the lack of management (mycosilviculture) guidelines adapted to climate change, c) the lack of a governance and regulation system fitted for controlling collection and market globalization, among others.

For solving those shortcomings, the EMI will support stakeholders in the territorial transitions by means of exchanging good practices, research and innovation, in order to take advantage of the European Cooperation for a joint...

A Mushroom Museum in Greece and its products

Submitted by Kalliopi Stara on 30 April 2020

Τhe Museum is located in Kalambaka, a small town in Thessaly region, by Meteora, a rock formation hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries. The area is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Natural History Museum of Meteora and Mushroom Museum has been established in December 2014, in Kalambaka, Greece. It is a private museum that stems from the collaboration of three people sharing the same interests about nature. The Museum’s collections consist of about 350 species of animals and 250 species of mushrooms and their natural habitats that are presented into dioramas. Beyond its general objectives (to highlight natural heritage, enhance environmental awareness, organize educational activities etc.), the Museum aims to focus on the closest relationship among mushrooms,...

Hypogeous fungi research in wider area of National Park ‘Krka’, Croatia – potential for development of mycotourism

Submitted by Dino Buršić on 9 April 2020

The objectives of the Krka National Park hypogeous fungi research project are: (1) To determine the diversity of hypogeous macro-fungi in forest ecosystems of the Krka National Park, (2) To identify collected hypogeous fungi samples to species level by morphological and molecular methods, (3) To determine relationships between fungi, plants, soil, geological background, climatic and other significant ecological factors in the studied habitat, (4) Develop material for an educational trail, (5) Develop materials for holding thematic workshops on fungi in the Krka National Park.

Micophilia in modern Greece. The case of mushroom associations

Submitted by Kalliopi Stara on 24 April 2020

Snapshot of the 11th mushroom festival organized by the Mushroom Society of Epirus in Ζagori, in June 2019. INCREdible project partners, mushrooms’ members and administration representatives had the opportunity to discuss about mushroom issues bridging different opinions and views.

Greece was until recently considered as a country where mushroom consumption was limited to few species per region. Mushroom were for most Greeks an occasional food, linked to poverty, the "meat of the poor", as they used to call them, that helped rural populations to survive the years of WWII. However, over the last 20 years the picture has changed dramatically as mushrooms are nowadays at the focus of a broader movement, which integrates individual research artistic-creative and entrepreneurial actions related to mushrooms to an activity with a strong social character.