British Mycological Society

Policy on Conservation

1. General Statement: The British Mycological Society is committed to the conservation of fungal populations and communities. To this end it will foster and promote those activities which contribute to survival of viable fungal populations and communities.

2. Threatened Fungi: The Society will compile and publish a Red List which conforms with international standards and will press for positive conservation of threatened fungi through national and international measures.

3. Habitat Conservation: The Society will seek protection for important mycological sites against loss, deterioration or fragmentation, howsoever caused.

4. Edible Fungi: The Society acknowledges the importance of edible wild fungi as a resource to be utilised, but accepts harvesting of such fungi only where it is non-threatening to the viability of fungal populations, and their associated organisms and habitats.

5. Code of Conduct: The Society will publish a Code of Conduct for the responsible collecting of fungi.

6. Research: The Society's constitutional object 'to promote mycology' encompasses encouragement of research on the biology, including taxonomy and ecology, of fungi; on the causes of decline of fungal populations; and on the cultivation of edible fungi.

7. Information: The Society will monitor and record the occurrence of fungi and make its Database available to its members and to outside organisations and individuals.

8. Education: The Society will promote a wider understanding of the importance of the conservation of fungi.

9. Collaboration: The Society will enhance its links with organisations concerned with conservation and the protection of the environment at local, national and international levels.

10. Review: The Society will review and update its conservation policy, as required, to take account of new research findings and changes in relevant legislation and environmental policy.

December 1997


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