Fundamentals of Flora and Fungi is a four-part short course designed to give participants practical skills in taxonomy, ecology and the identification of native plants and fungi. Through formal and practical activities, you’ll develop the ability to recognise key species, understand classification principles, and confidently apply these skills to South Australia’s native flora and fungi.

What to Expect

The focus is on native plants and fungi, including knowledge needed to contribute to conservation.
Botany sessions will include terminology, naming, taxonomic classification, important plant families from dicots (broad leaf plants) and monocots (grassy plants)
Mycology session will include an ecological roles of fungi, building identification skills and getting to know common fungi of the Adelaide Hills and surrounds.
Each session will have formal and practical components. For example, a session may include learning the terminology and anatomy of native grasses, followed by a wander outside to find native grasses and have a go at identifying them.
'What are fungi doing in our bushlands' webinar with Dr. Sapphire Fisher from Fungi4Land.
Take home copy of Botanical Field Guide
Take home Fungimap Mushroom Mirror

Dates: Sunday 5th October, Sunday 19th October, Sunday 26th October and Sunday 9th November.

Time: 9.30am - 3pm (please BYO lunch, morning tea will be provided.)

Location: Mount Barker (address will be provided before the first session.)

Cost: Sliding scale fees available, starting at $40 for all 4 sessions*
*If you would like to attend and need to discuss reduced fees or payment options to make this event accessible for you, please be in touch via the contact details below.

About the facilitators:

Andrew Crompton - Andrew is an experienced workshop facilitator specialising in botany, with over 30 years of bushcare expertise. A former member of the Burnside Council Biodiversity Team, he now serves as convenor of the local flora society, sharing his deep knowledge of native plants and ecosystems with the community.

Jess Bamford - As well as coordinating Hills Environment Centre, Jess is the convenor of the Adelaide Fungal Studies Group and a researcher specialising in the Cortinarius genus. She works as a technical survey assistant with Fungimap's Fungi for Function citizen science project and is the founder of the Adelaide Hills Fungi Festival.

For further enquiries please contact:

Jess Bamford

Coordinator, Hills Environment Centre

coordintor@hecinc.org.au

0405 527 610

Hills Environment Centre is proudly supported by Hills & Fleurieu Landscape SA Board and funded by Green Adelaide

This event is proudly sponsored by Inspiring South Australia Community Grants.

We acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians of the land and waters, the Peramangk and Kaurna peoples, upon whose land we live, work, travel and visit at the Hills Environment Centre.