Mycoremediation - Can fungi help save our rivers? with Alice Sophia Pefanis

This talk explores the emerging field of mycoremediation and the remarkable role fungi can play in restoring polluted ecosystems. Drawing on Flete Field Lab’s research and field trials, the talk unpacks the science behind fungal remediation before showcasing practical, community-led approaches to improving water quality. Combining accessible science with real-world case studies, it invites participants to see fungi not only as fascinating organisms, but as active collaborators in ecological restoration, demonstrating how curiosity, collective action, and nature-based solutions can inspire new ways of caring for the landscapes we share.

Please note: This event is included in Festival Passes

Alice Sophia Pefanis represents Flete Field Lab, a community interest company focused on the development and testing of low tech, nature based solutions for freshwater remediation. She began foraging fungi in Eastern Europe as a child and later honed her identification skills in Canada and the United Kingdom, going on to specialise in edible, medicinal and mycoremediation species across the Northern Hemisphere. With a background in mycology, ecosystem restoration and regenerative agriculture, her work centres on the application of fungal systems, particularly mycofiltration, to reduce nutrient and microbial pollution in freshwater environments. She has led field based research trials investigating the performance of hyperlocal wood decaying fungi, including Trametes versicolor, in dynamic freshwater systems, alongside multiple trials using Pleurotus pulmonarius to remediate dairy wastewater and sewage overflow pollution. Alongside her research, she lectures on ecology and agriculture courses, leads fungal forays in the UK and delivers workshops that translate scientific knowledge into applied and accessible practices, supporting communities to engage with fungi as collaborators in ecosystem repair.

Website: https://www.fletefieldlab.org/

Instagram:

@fletefieldlab

@myco.sophia