Fantastic Fungi To The Rescue!

Just in time for spring, look at these mushrooms grow!

Did you know that the largest organism on the planet is a 2,200+ acre mycelium fungal mat more than two thousand years old?

Did you know that expanding fungi-generated soils around the world could absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide and help control climate change?

Did you know that a fabric of mycelium is an intelligent network under our feet?

An all-star team of artists, scientists, doctors and explorers are joining forces to create a mind-bending, life-affirming film about the mushroom and its mysterious root-like structure: mycelium.

For this project, Louie Schwartzberg has connected with Paul Stamets, leading authority and mycologist who has discovered and coauthored several new species of mushrooms and pioneered countless techniques in the field of mushroom cultivation.  One of Utne Reader’s “50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World”, in 2014, Paul was chosen to be an “Invention Ambassador” by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Together, with Dr Andrew Weil, producer Lyn Davis Lear, author Michael Pollan, food author Eugenia Bone, permaculturist Michael Judd, educator Christine Fischer, Philosoforager Alan Muskat, and Professor of Ecology Suzanne Simard, and more, this tribe seeks to shift awareness through this film about the role of the Fantastic Fungi to solve problems on our planet for the health and welfare of people and other species.

The goal is to “come together as conscious citizens and support the initiatives that will make positive, lasting change for our planet for generations to come. The research on mycelium is astounding, and we must make it common knowledge and give more power back to the people to make better decisions.”

But in order for the Fantastic Fungi to save us, we must fund the making of the Fantastic Fungi film via Kickstarter. They have until April 10, 2015 –three weeks!–to come up with another $40,000 of the $100,000 in the campaign.

If I had a spare $10,000 I’d go for this one: One lucky backer of $10,000 will receive an iconic, one-of-a kind Mushroom Hat as worn by Paul Stamets (go to the Kickstarter to see the video where he talks about the mushroom hat) and a private dinner with Louie Schwartzberg and Producer Lyn Lear at the Los Angeles home of Norman and Lyn Lear. (Transportation & lodging not provided.) Plus A Non-Speaking Walk on Role in the Film (Transportation & lodging not provided), a film credit and much more.

According to Paul Stamets:

• Mycelium may help answer some of our most serious global problems, from climate change to cancer.
• Mycelium can clean up a toxic oil spill within a matter of days.
• Mycelium may be the solution to saving the bees and reversing colony collapse.
• Mycelium is the best way for carbon sequestration, ecosystem rejuvenation and pollution solutions.

The film explores how fungi are beginning to be understood as nutrients to the human consciousness and ecological sustainability.  This is the first in a collaboration of Louie Schwartzberg of Blacklight films ( http://bit.ly/FantasticFungi ) and Paul Stamets of Fungi Perfecti ( http://fungi.net ).

Note: most of the info here was gathered from their Kickstarter page.