Sustainable Sourcing of Wild Medicinal Fungi

This course is about obtaining wild medicinal fungi without degrading the ecosystems they come from. Using chaga as a central example, alongside other wild polypores and fungi, you will study their ecology, the impact of harvesting and the potential for regeneration, the permits and legal frameworks that govern land access, traceability and chain of custody, and organic and wild-collection certification schemes.

Rising demand has led to over-harvesting in some regions, and buyers increasingly face questions from regulators and customers about origin and sustainability. Foragers, buyers and sustainability managers need practical tools to plan responsible harvesting and verifiable supply chains. The course also considers when cultivated alternatives make more sense and how to manage supply risk. In your final project you will design a sustainable sourcing plan for one wild fungus, including an ecological assessment, harvest guidelines, permits required, a traceability system, certification options and a contingency plan based on cultivated or alternative supply.