Widely-recognized expert on mycorrhizal fungi Dr. Thomas Horton of SUNY ESF will be discussing the importance of fungi in a forest ecosystem from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 18 at the Rogers Environmental Education Center in Sherburne. The presentation is part of Friends of Rogers' new monthly series, Three Things Thursday. (Submitted photo)

SHERBURNE — We like to think that no day is complete without having learned at least one new thing. This new monthly series aims for people to leave having learned three new things.

Part one of this journey of learning discusses the importance of fungi in the forest ecosystem. It takes place Thursday, May 18, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Rogers Visitor Center. This program is $5 for members and $7 for not-yet-members.

The guest speaker for our first Three Things Thursday lecture is Dr. Thomas Horton of SUNY ESF, a widely-recognized expert on mycorrhizal fungi.

The healthy forest soils are full of fungal fibers (mycorrhizae) and plant roots. Biologists have established that mycorrhizae and plant roots often connect and exchange nutrients. This understanding changes the way we view forest ecosystems. Recent researchers have taken the idea further, suggesting that some trees use mycorrhizal fungi to send nourishment to others of their kind, especially their offspring, using the fungi in the soil as a kind of pipeline network.

According to Dr. Horton, “You may have heard about the Mother Tree idea or read the book 'Finding the Mother Tree' by Suzanne Simard. The idea is that large forest 'Mother Trees' send carbon (sugar from photosynthesis) to their seedlings through shared mycorrhizal fungi. But the fungi are not simply straws moving material from tree to tree. Further, the fungi are not moving carbon around for the trees. The fungi behave in ways that are surprisingly complex. What is really happening as different fungal species interact with different trees, different roots, and each other?”

You can register or find out more information by emailing ellen@friendsofrogers.org or by calling

607-674-4733.

Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that offers environmental education programs for people of all ages and abilities. The Visitor Center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday; Mondays and Tuesdays by appointment.

The mission of the Friends of Rogers is to provide outstanding educational opportunities that excite, inspire, and motivate people of all ages to enjoy, understand, appreciate, and protect our natural environment.

-Information provided by Friends of Rogers