Hello, I live in Spokane WA and work for a
local environmental/ conservation organization. I am heading up a new Mycology Program, focused on Mycoremediation (using fungi to heal the environment). We recently built a simple mycology lab, and I am currently in the middle of my first experiment. This experiment involves several strains of fungi and storm drain sludge (very contaminated) from the
City of Spokane. This experiment is investigating whether these fungi are able to break down pollutants, especially PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), out of this sludge. Stormwater contributes a lot of pollution into the Spokane River, compromising the health of the river and our community. This is the first of many mycoremediation experiments I hope to do around Spokane. The possibilities are endless.
I am writing this post to any mycologically inclined individuals in the Spokane area, that may be interested in getting involved with this
project. This project is in its infancy, but already has support from the City of Spokane, and much of the local community. My desire is to form a Mycoremediation Collaborative in Spokane, and to tackle these projects together! I am looking for folks who are able to contribute to project ideas, planning, experimental design, and application (both intellectually and physically). This is an opportunity to get involved with an innovative project with lots of potential in our local community! Like I mentioned before, we have a brand new mycology lab here in Spokane (that
should be utilized by more than just me), and we have the support of my organisation and the city (they are funding the storm drain sludge experiment.) We are a small organization, and cannot financially compensate folks for project involvement at this point, but if you are interested in being involved at some capacity, please don't hesitate to contact me. Internship credit,
volunteer hour credit, school credit etc can be arranged. I am willing to take on the right person/ people as apprentices of sorts, but am ideally looking for folks to
collaborate with at a high level... I'm not looking to micro-manage. This is a great opportunity for the right person/ people to get hands on
experience in a highly innovative project, and to contribute to positive change in our community.
Thanks for reading, and hope to hear back!
Heidi
green chemistry, low impact development,
sustainability, green infrastructure, urban ecology,
mushrooms, mycology, mycoremediation, bioremediation, pcbs,
petroleum, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, pollution, contamination, health, community, spokane, inland northwest, eastern washington
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