Fungi in Urban Ecosystems & Green Infrastructure
The role of fungi in urban soils, street trees, parks and green roofs, and how to design city landscapes that support them.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Fungi in Urban Ecosystems & Green Infrastructure
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Ecology & Regenerative Agriculture. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
Cities are full of fungi, from the mycorrhizal partners that help street trees survive compacted soils to the decay fungi that shape tree safety decisions. This course examines fungal life in urban soils, parks, street trees and green roofs. It explains how disturbed and sealed soils affect fungal communities, how mycorrhizae influence tree establishment in difficult sites, and how pathogens and decay fungi affect urban trees. Students also explore the fungi of green roofs, bioswales and constructed soils.
Urban greening, climate adaptation and biodiversity goals are driving large investments in trees and green infrastructure, and planting success often depends on what happens below ground. The course suits urban planners, landscape architects and arborists who want to bring soil biology into design and maintenance decisions. Further modules cover recording urban fungal biodiversity and designing fungi-friendly green infrastructure. In the final project, students propose a fungi-aware design or retrofit for a real urban space, specifying soil, planting, deadwood and maintenance measures that support healthy fungal communities.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in ecology, useful in areas such as urban planning and landscape architecture, arboriculture, local government and parks, green roof and landscaping industry.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
The role of fungi in urban soils, street trees, parks and green roofs, and how to design city landscapes that support them.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Urban Soils and Their Fungal Communities; Mycorrhizae and Street Tree Establishment.
- Put them into practice: Fungal Pathogens and Decay in Urban Trees; Green Roofs, Bioswales and Constructed Soils.
- Apply everything to a real case: Urban Fungal Biodiversity and Recording; Designing Fungi-friendly Green Infrastructure.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Describe how urban soil conditions shape fungal communities.
- Explain the role of mycorrhizae in street tree establishment.
- Recognise major pathogens and decay fungi in urban trees.
- Specify substrates and soils that support fungi in green infrastructure.
- Integrate fungal considerations into urban landscape design and maintenance.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Urban planners, landscape architects and arborists.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior mycology is needed; experience in planning, landscape or arboriculture is helpful.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Landscape architect with soil biology expertise
- Urban arborist or tree officer
- Green infrastructure planner
- Parks maintenance manager
- Urban biodiversity officer
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Urban Soils and Their Fungal Communities | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Mycorrhizae and Street Tree Establishment | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Fungal Pathogens and Decay in Urban Trees | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Green Roofs, Bioswales and Constructed Soils | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Urban Fungal Biodiversity and Recording | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Designing Fungi-friendly Green Infrastructure | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Properties of disturbed urban soils
- Sealing, compaction and contamination
- Urban fungal community patterns
- Mycorrhizae and transplant shock
- Soil volume and rooting space
- Using inoculum in tree pits
- Common urban tree pathogens
- Decay fungi and risk assessment
- Prevention through good practice
- Substrates for green roofs
- Bioswales and rain gardens
- Designing constructed soils
- Urban fungal recording methods
- Citizen science and records
- Biodiversity in parks and cemeteries
- Design principles for soil life
- Retaining deadwood and leaf litter
- Maintenance specifications
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A fungi-aware design or retrofit proposal for a real urban green space.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Assessment is based on participation in live sessions, design and site exercises in each module and a final proposal reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Ecology school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Fungi in Urban Ecosystems & Green Infrastructure?
No prior mycology is needed; experience in planning, landscape or arboriculture is helpful.
How is Fungi in Urban Ecosystems & Green Infrastructure taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Assessment is based on participation in live sessions, design and site exercises in each module and a final proposal reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A fungi-aware design or retrofit proposal for a real urban green space.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Fungi in Urban Ecosystems & Green Infrastructure?
The natural next step is Diploma in Mycorrhizal Agriculture.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).