Support the Oxbow & Suwanee Lagoon Mycoremediation Initiative
Our project is exploring ways to use native fungi (local mushrooms) to restore ecological balance to one of Michigan’s most contaminated waterways – and we welcome your involvement.
Whether you’re a local resident, a curious naturalist, or someone who believes in the power of grassroots science, here’s how you can help:
Raise Awareness
Talk about the project. Share it on social media, mention it at your next meeting, or bring it up at the dinner table. Simple conversations spark big change. (and please tag us on instagram – https://instagram/themushroomconservatory or on facebook https://facebook/themushroomconservatory so that we can share!)
We are endlessly in need of lab services!
An essential part of our project is having third-party lab validated testing done on our water samples – testing for PFAS and similar contaminants is particularly expensive. While our grant funding covers some of this, the ability to do a broader range of sampling and more frequent testing would be immensely helpful. Donations towards lab & related expenses are greatly appreciated, and if you work in a laboratory that would be willing to make an in-kind donation of lab services or negotiate a discounted rate in the name of preserving the Great Lakes, we would be incredibly grateful. If this is something you’d like to help with, please send us a note on our contact page or email themushroomconservatory@gmail.com
Buy mushroom growing kits from The Mushroom Conservatory
We started out making mushroom growing kits to help people learn how to grow mushroom kits easily, without any prior knowledge or special equipment. When you shop with us, it supports our efforts in both research and education, and we are extremely grateful for every order. We’re glad to ship them with a gift note if you’d like to send one to a friend, and we’re always glad to coach you through the process if you run into questions along your growing journey. Visit our main site here to shop >>>
Contribute Tools or Equipment
We’re making the most of every resource and welcome gently used gear – especially lab and field equipment that might otherwise go unused. Have something in mind? Get in touch at themushroomconservatory@gmail.com
Share Your Local Mushroom Finds
If you forage near the Rouge River or spot mushrooms on walks, we’d love to see them. Observations help guide our fungal mapping and deepen our regional understanding. If you have the ability to dehydrate mushrooms you’ve found in that area, we would be extremely grateful to have them! Take a picture where you found it growing, take another picture of the side, top and gills, then dry it out and mail it to us:
The Mushroom Conservatory
123 Pearl Street
Pinckney, MI 48169
Tag @themushroomconservatory or email photos and notes to themushroomconservatory@gmail.com
Write About the Project
Writers, journalists, and students: if you’re looking to spotlight innovative ecological work, we’d be thrilled to share project details, photos, and interviews to support your article or blog post.
Please reach out if you’d like to feature this initiative. We’re glad to share photos and videos and tell you all about it!
Creative Collaborations Welcome
Whether you’re part of a local business, community group, or just someone with a bold idea – let’s talk. We’re always open to partnerships that bring more visibility, connection, or support to the work.
Sponsor Our Work
If you work with a business or organization that would like to support our efforts, please contact us – themushroomconservatory@gmail.com – we’d love to hear from you!
Thank you for helping this project grow.
Erin & The Crew