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Citizen Science & Fungal Mapping

How to design, run and contribute to fungal recording projects that produce high-quality distribution data for science and conservation.

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Level

Course

Modules

Duration

3 months · 72 h

Next start

January 11, 2027

Fee

$450

Format

Live online

Certificate

Course Certificate

Language

English US

School

Fungal Science

Program identification

1.1Program name: Citizen Science & Fungal Mapping
1.2Type of qualification: Course
1.3Provider / endorsing institution: Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Mycology & Fungal Science. A Fungaris program 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 program, not an official university degree).
1.6Language: English
1.7Start and end dates / intake: Next intake: January 11, 2027 to April 2, 2027. Enrollment closes on January 4, 2027. Following intake: March 8, 2027. How intakes work →

fungal citizen sciencemushroom mappingfungi recordingiNaturalist fungifungal distribution data

Overview

2.1Program description

Citizen Science & Fungal Mapping shows how volunteers and professionals together can produce distribution data that genuinely serves science and conservation. You will look at successful citizen science projects in mycology, learn the recording standards that make an observation useful, and understand when a voucher specimen is essential. The course gives practical training on platforms such as iNaturalist and Mushroom Observer, introduces GPS and GIS for mapping distributions, and examines how data quality is maintained through validation and community review.

Fungi are badly under-recorded compared with plants and animals, and conservation assessments depend on good distribution data. Mycological societies, naturalists and educators are well placed to fill these gaps if their records are reliable. This course suits anyone who wants to run or improve a recording effort, from a local society to a regional atlas. The final module covers organizing forays and BioBlitzes safely and inclusively. For the final project you will design a fungal recording project for a defined area, with objectives, methods, data workflow and a volunteer engagement plan.

2.2Why it matters / what need it meets

It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in fungal science, useful in areas such as nature conservation, biological recording centers, environmental education, community science organizations.

Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This program gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgment and safety.

Objectives and competences

3.1General objective

To finish the program able to apply its content professionally and with judgment. In short:

How to design, run and contribute to fungal recording projects that produce high-quality distribution data for science and conservation.

3.2Specific objectives

Build the foundations: Citizen Science in Mycology; Recording Standards and Voucher Specimens.
Put them into practice: Using iNaturalist, Mushroom Observer and Similar Platforms; GPS, GIS and Distribution Mapping.
Apply everything to a real case: Data Quality, Validation and Community Review; Running Forays, BioBlitzes and Recording Projects.
Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.

3.3Competences you will gain

Create fungal records that meet accepted scientific recording standards.
Decide when voucher specimens are needed and document them properly.
Use iNaturalist and Mushroom Observer data effectively and critically.
Produce simple distribution maps using GPS data and QGIS.
Plan and run forays, BioBlitzes and validation workflows.

Student profile

4.1Who it is for (entry profile)

Naturalists, mycological societies and educators.

4.2Entry requirements

No formal background is needed; some familiarity with fungi is helpful. A smartphone or GPS device and a computer are needed for the practical exercises.

4.3Career paths (exit profile)

Recording coordinator for a mycological society
Citizen science project officer
Biological records center assistant
Environmental educator running BioBlitz events
Volunteer validator for online recording platforms

Sectors

nature conservationbiological recording centersenvironmental educationcommunity science organizations

Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.

Study plan

5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)

Module	Title	Phase	Topics	Hours
01	Citizen Science in Mycology	Foundations	3	12
02	Recording Standards and Voucher Specimens	Foundations	3	12
03	Using iNaturalist, Mushroom Observer and Similar Platforms	Practice	3	12
04	GPS, GIS and Distribution Mapping	Practice	3	12
05	Data Quality, Validation and Community Review	Application & project	3	12
06	Running Forays, BioBlitzes and Recording Projects	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.

5.3Company placement

This program does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.

5.4Final project

A fungal recording project design for a defined area, including methods, data workflow and volunteer engagement.

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 instructor 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 combines participation in live sessions, practical exercises using recording platforms and GIS, and a final project reviewed by the instructor.

40%Participation and module exercises

60%Final project

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 instructor.

Teaching team

8.1Academic direction

At Fungaris, the Fungal Science school coordinates the content and quality of this program. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.

8.2Faculty

Taught by professionals who work in the field. The instructor for each intake is confirmed before the start.

Meet our faculty →

Certificate

9.1Certificate awarded

Course Certificate

On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognizes them depends on that organization 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 enrollment

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

Enrollment for the intake starting on January 11, 2027 is open until January 4, 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).

10.4Fee and payment options

Fee: $450

Full payment before the start: $360 (20% reduction).
40% reservation ($180) and 3 monthly installments of $90.

Fees and financing →

10.5Grants, discounts and funding

Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organization. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.

Your employer can pay for the program 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 canceling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrollment 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 Citizen Science & Fungal Mapping?

No formal background is needed; some familiarity with fungi is helpful. A smartphone or GPS device and a computer are needed for the practical exercises.

How is Citizen Science & Fungal Mapping taught?

Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.

How am I assessed?

Assessment combines participation in live sessions, practical exercises using recording platforms and GIS, and a final project reviewed by the instructor.

What is the final project?

A fungal recording project design for a defined area, including methods, data workflow and volunteer engagement.

What certificate do I get?

What can I study after Citizen Science & Fungal Mapping?

The natural next step is Diploma in Applied Mycology.

11.2Alumni testimonials

We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This program does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.