People who’d like to find out more about fungus have an opportunity next week.

The Isle of Man Fungus Group has invited an expert field mycologist, Nev Kilkenny, to present a workshop on September 7, 8 and 9.

The event consists of an evening talk on the Friday night at the training room at the Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture’s headquarters, Thie Slieau Whallian, St John’s, and two days of field excursion and classroom work to learn about the different features of fungi which can be used to identify them.

The event concludes with a talk about the risks from a small number of fungi that are poisonous.

Mr Kilkenny, trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh and this is the fifth event that has been run with him.

The Isle of Man Fungus Group was set up in 2012 to further the study of Manx mycology (all things fungal) by going out and finding, photographing, identifying and recording the rich and beautiful diversity of fungi on the island.

Since its inception, at least 100 new species have been recorded for the island.

Fungi are a neglected but vital group and are an important part of biodiversity. They are the world’s recyclers and enhance plant growth. They come in an extraordinary variety of shapes, colours and ways of living off dead and live material.

For information about the event and to book, email [email protected]

Also on Monday, September 10, Mr Kilkenny is helping the group with a project run from the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew called ’Lost and Found’, the aim of which is to re-locate some rare fungi that have not been recorded for a long time.