Our Philosophy:
Our original ancestors were fungi partnered with cyanobacteria. In remembering this and the land where our human ancestors lived, we acknowledge that we currently live on unceded Abenaki territory where blood, bones, and chords lie below soil. As settlers living during 'The 6th Great Extinction,' aiming to transform extractive into regenerative systems, we look to the microbes, fungi, and plants for nutrient exchange networks guidance.
MycoEvolve honors the cradle from grave potential below our feet; when we tend these ecological networks we revitalize, rejuvenate, and restore fragmentation. Deliberate inoculation facilitates interspecies symbiosis and above ground regeneration runs.
MycoEvolve harnesses regenerative agricultural practices to enhance habitat while restoring the watershed. Through research, earthworks, and education we support farmers and land tenders to diversify habitat while improving watershed health.
Our practices collaborate with these regenerative beings in areas that are:
- Industrial: fungi absorb heavy metals into substrate from which elements can be extracted & recycled.
- Agricultural: mycelial nets catch pathogens, redirect excess phosphate & nitrate to flora growth cycles
- Petrochemical laden: mycelial mats absorb hydrocarbons and break down compounds to benign elements
- Urban neighborhoods: fungi inoculations border abandoned areas, buffering spaces for gardens & habitat
- Rural: protective, inoculated shields border forest, field, & riparian zones for corridor
- Around buildings: nutrient exchange networks filter, catch, and redirect stormwater
- Diverse landscapes: microbial rich soil store carbon, cocreate a sponge for water retention, support enriched habitat
Our original ancestors were fungi partnered with cyanobacteria. In remembering this and the land where our human ancestors lived, we acknowledge that we currently live on unceded Abenaki territory where blood, bones, and chords lie below soil. As settlers living during 'The 6th Great Extinction,' aiming to transform extractive into regenerative systems, we look to the microbes, fungi, and plants for nutrient exchange networks guidance.
MycoEvolve honors the cradle from grave potential below our feet; when we tend these ecological networks we revitalize, rejuvenate, and restore fragmentation. Deliberate inoculation facilitates interspecies symbiosis and above ground regeneration runs.
MycoEvolve harnesses regenerative agricultural practices to enhance habitat while restoring the watershed. Through research, earthworks, and education we support farmers and land tenders to diversify habitat while improving watershed health.
Our practices collaborate with these regenerative beings in areas that are:
- Industrial: fungi absorb heavy metals into substrate from which elements can be extracted & recycled.
- Agricultural: mycelial nets catch pathogens, redirect excess phosphate & nitrate to flora growth cycles
- Petrochemical laden: mycelial mats absorb hydrocarbons and break down compounds to benign elements
- Urban neighborhoods: fungi inoculations border abandoned areas, buffering spaces for gardens & habitat
- Rural: protective, inoculated shields border forest, field, & riparian zones for corridor
- Around buildings: nutrient exchange networks filter, catch, and redirect stormwater
- Diverse landscapes: microbial rich soil store carbon, cocreate a sponge for water retention, support enriched habitat
Staff:
Founder, Earth Tender, Researcher, Educator & Creative Director
Jess Rubin, since childhood, practices listening to and reading surrounding landscapes. While earning herbalism, nature awareness, outdoor education, & permaculture certificates, a BA from Cornell University (Cum Laude) in Ecological Literature with Native American Studies minor, & a Masters of Environmental Science with a VT middle & high school science teaching license from Antioch NE, she observes human and earth system dynamics, witnesses trophic web relationships, monitors wild corridors, rehabilitates degraded ecosystems, and rejuvenates recovering habitat. For over two decades this practice led her to serve as a: permaculture gardener, nature mentor, outdoor educator, wilderness guide, conservation crew leader, middle & high school science teacher, environmental studies college adjunct faculty, university guest lecturer, and research technician. In Fall 2019 Jess becomes a graduate student again, aiming to earn a Masters in UVM's Plant & Soil Science Department with a concentration in Ecological Landscape Design. Her masters project will be a culmination of the mycoremediation projects MycoEvolve is currently conducting. Relevant resume.
Jess Rubin, since childhood, practices listening to and reading surrounding landscapes. While earning herbalism, nature awareness, outdoor education, & permaculture certificates, a BA from Cornell University (Cum Laude) in Ecological Literature with Native American Studies minor, & a Masters of Environmental Science with a VT middle & high school science teaching license from Antioch NE, she observes human and earth system dynamics, witnesses trophic web relationships, monitors wild corridors, rehabilitates degraded ecosystems, and rejuvenates recovering habitat. For over two decades this practice led her to serve as a: permaculture gardener, nature mentor, outdoor educator, wilderness guide, conservation crew leader, middle & high school science teacher, environmental studies college adjunct faculty, university guest lecturer, and research technician. In Fall 2019 Jess becomes a graduate student again, aiming to earn a Masters in UVM's Plant & Soil Science Department with a concentration in Ecological Landscape Design. Her masters project will be a culmination of the mycoremediation projects MycoEvolve is currently conducting. Relevant resume.
MycoEvolve is grateful to work with inspiring people in various projects.
Mycological Research Technician For EPSCoR BREE & Cofounder of VT Myconode.
Hannah Huber completed her Bachelor’s degree in 2014 at Paul Smith’s College in biology and environmental science, with a minor in chemistry, and while there met her first mycology mentor, mushroom dye artist Susan Hopkins. Originally from Michigan, Hannah began her mushroom education in the 90’s hunting for morels with her father as a toddler. Hannah believes in the intelligence of fungi to lend a “helping hypha.' Hannah has just begun Applied Mycology studies via a masters program Agricultural and Environmental Systems program at NC A&T state University.
Hannah Huber completed her Bachelor’s degree in 2014 at Paul Smith’s College in biology and environmental science, with a minor in chemistry, and while there met her first mycology mentor, mushroom dye artist Susan Hopkins. Originally from Michigan, Hannah began her mushroom education in the 90’s hunting for morels with her father as a toddler. Hannah believes in the intelligence of fungi to lend a “helping hypha.' Hannah has just begun Applied Mycology studies via a masters program Agricultural and Environmental Systems program at NC A&T state University.
Mycological mentor, teacher, consultant for EPSCoR BREE, MycoEvolve, & Colchester project.
Sue Van Hook, is most often found immersed in nature looking for fungi. Sue studied botany and mycology at Humboldt State University BA 1977, MA 1985. She taught biology and environmental science at Skidmore College for 18 years after working for 10 years in land stewardship and conservation. Her most recent position was Mycologist for Ecovative Design, a biomaterials research and development company using fungal mycelium and plant waste to replace plastic foams.
Suevanhook.com
Sue Van Hook, is most often found immersed in nature looking for fungi. Sue studied botany and mycology at Humboldt State University BA 1977, MA 1985. She taught biology and environmental science at Skidmore College for 18 years after working for 10 years in land stewardship and conservation. Her most recent position was Mycologist for Ecovative Design, a biomaterials research and development company using fungal mycelium and plant waste to replace plastic foams.
Suevanhook.com
Environmental Statistician and Research Consultant for Colchester Project
Leif Olson is an interdisciplinary environmental scientist and practitioner who works to connect the understanding and implementation and ecological function, environmental health, and human need. He received his bachelor's degree in ecology from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 2011 and his Master's in ecotoxicology from Duke University in 2016. He has worked and performed research in the fields of mycology, wetland science, environmental chemistry, community ecology, landscape design and sustainable agriculture. He is the founder of Integrated Land Enhancement, a company dedicated to improving landscape health by understanding and leveraging the properties of nature. Currently he is involved in performing and facilitating research with universities, private companies and municipalities. integratedlandenhancement.com
Leif Olson is an interdisciplinary environmental scientist and practitioner who works to connect the understanding and implementation and ecological function, environmental health, and human need. He received his bachelor's degree in ecology from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 2011 and his Master's in ecotoxicology from Duke University in 2016. He has worked and performed research in the fields of mycology, wetland science, environmental chemistry, community ecology, landscape design and sustainable agriculture. He is the founder of Integrated Land Enhancement, a company dedicated to improving landscape health by understanding and leveraging the properties of nature. Currently he is involved in performing and facilitating research with universities, private companies and municipalities. integratedlandenhancement.com
Mechanical Engineer, and Design/Installation Consultant for Colchester Project
Jason McCune has spent his career advancing ecological alternative technologies. In addition to his educational background in environmental science (BS) and engineering (BS civil, MS mechanical), he brings hands-on skills and tools in construction, fabrication, civil and mechanical design, fabrication and forestry to the table. This enables Jason to help innovative projects from the concept and impact assessment through design, pilot and installation phases. Jason’s portfolio includes patents on small-scale anaerobic digester technologies and most recently the development of large-scale machinery that aerate and extract heat from compost piles: www.agrilabtechnologies.com
Jason McCune has spent his career advancing ecological alternative technologies. In addition to his educational background in environmental science (BS) and engineering (BS civil, MS mechanical), he brings hands-on skills and tools in construction, fabrication, civil and mechanical design, fabrication and forestry to the table. This enables Jason to help innovative projects from the concept and impact assessment through design, pilot and installation phases. Jason’s portfolio includes patents on small-scale anaerobic digester technologies and most recently the development of large-scale machinery that aerate and extract heat from compost piles: www.agrilabtechnologies.com
Research Assistant on the Colchester Project and Water Resource consultant for upcoming SARE project
Lauren Weston has worked on a wide range on engineering, environmental, justice-based, and water-specific projects. Since graduating from Smith College in 2015 with a B.S. in Engineering Science, Lauren has been working in new places around the world and gaining a diverse set of skills in all things ecological. Her recent experience includes serving as a Water Resource Engineer at Milone & MacBroom in Waterbury, VT which consisted largely of hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, dam removal design, stormwater capture and treatment design, river and floodplain restoration, and permitting. Other previous experiences include serving as an AmeriCorps member for the State of Washington Conservation Corps, civil engineer overseeing solar energy installations in MA, and production manager for a ceramic water filter factory in Uganda. Currently, Lauren is involved with organic farming, organizing community discussions regarding climate change and regenerative agriculture, and utilizing fungi. She hopes to continue to find new ways to heal the planet and get everyone moving towards a new paradigm.
Lauren Weston has worked on a wide range on engineering, environmental, justice-based, and water-specific projects. Since graduating from Smith College in 2015 with a B.S. in Engineering Science, Lauren has been working in new places around the world and gaining a diverse set of skills in all things ecological. Her recent experience includes serving as a Water Resource Engineer at Milone & MacBroom in Waterbury, VT which consisted largely of hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, dam removal design, stormwater capture and treatment design, river and floodplain restoration, and permitting. Other previous experiences include serving as an AmeriCorps member for the State of Washington Conservation Corps, civil engineer overseeing solar energy installations in MA, and production manager for a ceramic water filter factory in Uganda. Currently, Lauren is involved with organic farming, organizing community discussions regarding climate change and regenerative agriculture, and utilizing fungi. She hopes to continue to find new ways to heal the planet and get everyone moving towards a new paradigm.
MycoEvolve Intern
Mary Robideau is an undergraduate who recently transferred from UVM to Sterling College to pursue a self-designed curriculum focusing on the intersection of environmental education and transformative justice. While majoring in Forestry at UVM, she studied dendrology and natural resource ecology, assisted in a project researching likely forest response in the Northeast to different climate change scenarios, and engaged in on- and off-campus activism. Mary aims to mesh science and humanities together, and blend environmentalism and social justice.
Mary Robideau is an undergraduate who recently transferred from UVM to Sterling College to pursue a self-designed curriculum focusing on the intersection of environmental education and transformative justice. While majoring in Forestry at UVM, she studied dendrology and natural resource ecology, assisted in a project researching likely forest response in the Northeast to different climate change scenarios, and engaged in on- and off-campus activism. Mary aims to mesh science and humanities together, and blend environmentalism and social justice.
MycoEvolve has a Mycolab. Formerly an informal collective VT Myconode, then Green Mountain Mycelium has simplified to be a lab that carries out the mission of MycoEvolve in research, earthworks, and education. Our staff and interns are Vermont permaculture & earth activists. Our lab is aligned with the Radical Mycology Network. We research, practice inoculation techniques, experiment with, and educate about how to apply fungi in habitat enhancing applications such as food & medicine in clean sites & through remediative infrastructure in polluted sites.
Our past activities include:
- catching wild spores & transferring them to agar & liquid cultures
- cultivating different fungal species
- inoculating cold pasteurized straw with liquid cultures
- transferring liquid to grain spawn; grain spawn to cold pasteurized straw, woodchips, & our homegrown hemphull sawdust mix
- installing outdoor installations in community gardens
- inoculating logs for food & medicine
- tending a mycelium nursery and fungal strain library
- providing lab space, spawn, and labor for local mycoremediation projects dedicated to watershed restoration
We grow mycelium for inner city, suburban, & farm resilience projects.
As we grow our mycelium & liquid culture libraries we:
- experiment with hemp hulls ( a local farm's waste product) in spawn bags,
- intend to research working with hollow dried plant species such as Japanese Knotweed for containers instead of plastic bags.
As of Fall 2019, we are in pause mode and our lab is in germination storage while our culture library species continue to slowly grow. Once Jess finishes graduate school, the plan is to rearise the lab through a mobile bicycle powered vehicle that can bring learning opportunities to different schools and communities. Currently we are studying mycorrhizae and its efficacy in P uptake from agricultural lands with legacy P.
Take a Peek into our past Lab:
Our past activities include:
- catching wild spores & transferring them to agar & liquid cultures
- cultivating different fungal species
- inoculating cold pasteurized straw with liquid cultures
- transferring liquid to grain spawn; grain spawn to cold pasteurized straw, woodchips, & our homegrown hemphull sawdust mix
- installing outdoor installations in community gardens
- inoculating logs for food & medicine
- tending a mycelium nursery and fungal strain library
- providing lab space, spawn, and labor for local mycoremediation projects dedicated to watershed restoration
We grow mycelium for inner city, suburban, & farm resilience projects.
As we grow our mycelium & liquid culture libraries we:
- experiment with hemp hulls ( a local farm's waste product) in spawn bags,
- intend to research working with hollow dried plant species such as Japanese Knotweed for containers instead of plastic bags.
As of Fall 2019, we are in pause mode and our lab is in germination storage while our culture library species continue to slowly grow. Once Jess finishes graduate school, the plan is to rearise the lab through a mobile bicycle powered vehicle that can bring learning opportunities to different schools and communities. Currently we are studying mycorrhizae and its efficacy in P uptake from agricultural lands with legacy P.
Take a Peek into our past Lab:
We gather, work on and in the lab, grow & investigate mycelium, meet, grok, learn....
Funding for the Lab and its collective activity is provided by the NEGEF
http://www.grassrootsfund.org
http://www.grassrootsfund.org
In service to watershed Pitawabagok (as the Abenaki call it: 'The Lake Between,') known by settlers as Lake Champlain, MycoEvolve aims to ground into land supporting Abenaki rematriation, reparations to slave descendants, and support for all marginalized populations to find sanctuary and wholesome land access while we tend ecosystems through a nursery, living laboratory, mobile lab & education center.
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Please contact us if you are interested in joining, collaborating, & or in supporting this endeavor!
(802) 839 -8286 yepeth@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/mycoevolve/ |
©2020 MycoEvolve; DBA of Roots and Trails L3C
