Nature Sunday: Taking a Likin’ to the Lichens of SLO County

🌿Welcome to Nature Sunday at SLO Botanical Garden!🌿

Please note: this class is FULL. If you’d like to be on the waiting list, please email Jen at jen@slobg.org – thanks!

Join us every 4th Sunday of the month for a thrilling journey into the wonders of nature, completely free thanks to our amazing donors. Prepare to be amazed, intrigued, and delighted by nature’s quirks and marvels!

🗓️ What’s Happening This Month?

Topic: Lichens – Nature’s Living Tapestries

They hang from trees and branches, cling to rocks, and come in a kaleidoscope of colors, shapes, and sizes found all over the world. Meet the incredible lichen, a fascinating symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi. The fungi provide shelter, while the algae feed them through photosynthesis. Our featured star is the Lace Lichen (pictured here), California’s State Lichen and one of 1,900 species in our state!

🔍 What to Expect:

• Discover Local Lichens: Learn about the diverse lichen species in our region and their crucial roles in habitats and ecosystems.
• Hands-On Fun: Check out our demonstration table brimming with locally collected lichen species.
• Nature Walk: Join us for a walk to see these amazing organisms in their natural habitat.

📝 Registration Information:

• Reserve Your Spot: Be sure to register in advance and check in at the Gift Shop upon arrival.
• Can’t Make It? If you need to cancel, please email jen@slobg.org ASAP so we can offer your spot to someone else.

🌟 Meet Your Instructor: Michael Mulroy

Michael Mulroy is an expert in all things lichen! He moved to San Luis Obispo County in 2019 to pursue an M.S. in Biological Sciences at Cal Poly, completing it in February 2023 under the guidance of Professor Nishi Rajakaruna in the Geoecology Lab. Michael’s M.S. research focused on lichen communities of serpentine rocks and soils.

Prior to this life in SLO, Michael spent six years working as a biologist in the San Francisco Bay Area and more recently served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Panamá for two years. Now, he works locally as a Biologist for Althouse and Meade, Inc., continuing to plug away at lichen identification and community ecology research. When he’s not studying lichens, Michael enjoys reading, birding, and being in the ocean.

Come join us and delve into the captivating world of lichens with Michael Mulroy!

This event is perfect for adults and older kids who can stay engaged throughout the class. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars and hand lenses for a closer look at the lichens! Dress appropriately – bring water, a sun hat, and sunscreen if needed.

We can’t wait to see you there! 🌿