Refungium
Creating Fungal Refugia
Fungi are everywhere—woven into the roots of trees, breaking down fallen leaves, feeding woodlands from below. They connect plants, recycle nutrients, and shape ecosystems, yet they remain one of the least understood groups of organisms on Earth.
At Coed Talylan, a 70-acre woodland in South Wales, we’re creating a living home for fungi. This project—The Refungium—is a long-term effort to support wild fungal diversity through careful land stewardship, ecological research, and community involvement. Our aim is to restore woodland habitat with fungi at the centre, turning this site into one of the UK’s most active places for fungal conservation and learning.
Why fungi? Britain is home to thousands of fungal species, but many are rarely recorded or poorly understood. The UK has very low woodland cover by European standards, and with it, limited space for fungi to thrive. Pollution, changing land use, and climate disruption are placing increasing pressure on fragile fungal communities. Despite their importance, fungi remain neglected in conservation—both in research and in policy.
We believe that needs to change. The Refungium brings together people who want to do something practical: to learn, to restore habitat, to deepen our understanding of the fungal world, and to build a more balanced relationship with the land. We’re working with mycologists, woodland managers, and citizen scientists to build up knowledge of local species, map fungal habitats, and test restoration methods that favour fungal richness.
Our woodland will act as a “fungal refugium”—a safe haven where fungal life can persist, spread, and be studied. We’re calling it a “living fungarium,” not a museum but a working landscape: a place where people and fungi can meet, work, and grow together.
This project is open to everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned mycologist, a forager, a school group, or simply someone curious about fungi and their role in the world, there’s a place for you in the Refungium. Come learn with us, help restore a piece of woodland, and be part of building a future where fungi are no longer overlooked.
Refungium: Get Involved