Youth Fungi Walk: Discover the Hidden World Beneath Your Feet

Next date: Tuesday, 30 June 2026 | 11:00 AM to 01:00 PM

Are you aged 12–18 and curious about the fascinating world of fungi? Join us for a guided fungi walk and learn how to identify the mushrooms and fungi found in our local parks and bushland. Discover what’s happening beneath the soil under your feet and explore the vital role fungi play in healthy ecosystems.

This is a supervised youth‑only event, delivered in partnership with Council’s Youth, Environment, and Biodiversity teams.

This engaging, hands-on session includes a short presentation followed by a fungi foray around Edendale Farm and Diamond Creek. You’ll learn practical identification tips and how to upload your discoveries to the citizen science platform iNaturalist, helping scientists and land managers better understand local biodiversity.

A favourite event with young nature lovers, this supervised youth-only activity is run in conjunction with Council’s Youth Environment and Biodiversity Teams.

Melvin is a Naturalist specializing in Fungi and their interactions with the natural world. With over five years of experience, he volunteers and works throughout the conservation and environmental sectors from charities, non-for-profits, aspects of academia and local government. Primarily involved in activities that revolve around conservation, citizen science and education, his interests lie in the unseen world of fungi and how they fit throughout our surroundings. His particular interests include zombie fungi and orchid-fungi interactions. He continues to contribute to building volunteer groups and on ground conservation work. He’s recently helped run an annual Fungi Festival in Ballan to celebrate all things Fungi.
Event logistics: Participants will meet at Edendale Community Environment Farm for a short introductory presentation, followed by a fully supervised walk and talk around the farm and along the creek. Together, we’ll explore the area at a relaxed pace, stopping regularly to observe and learn about fungi found in the local environment.

The walk will include grassed areas, creek‑side paths, and uneven surfaces.

What to bring
- Warm, weather‑appropriate clothing (this is an outdoor winter event)
- Enclosed walking shoes suitable for uneven ground
- A drink bottle
- A camera or smartphone (optional, for recording observations on iNaturalist)
- Any personal items needed for comfort or wellbeing outdoors

Lunch will be provided at the conclusion of the walk. Please advise of any dietary requirements when registering.

This is an inclusive and welcoming activity for young people of all backgrounds, genders, and identities. We welcome participants of all abilities and support different ways of engaging — including observing quietly or taking breaks as needed.

If you have access, mobility, sensory, learning, medical, or other support needs, or have questions about participation, please contact:
environment@nillumbik.vic.gov.au

When

Location

Edendale Community Environment Farm, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham, 3095, View map