Paul Stamets to Lecture at The Evergreen State College

by Evergreen Communications Office
April 5, 2011
  • 21st Annual Rachel Carson Forum
  • Innovator, author, and mushroom expert extraordinaire
  • Lecture Title: Solutions from the Underground: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World

Olympia, WA – Paul Stamets, innovator, author, and mushroom expert extraordinaire will speak at The Evergreen State College Longhouse during the Rachel Carson Forum on Thursday, April 14th 2011, doors open at 6:30pm. This event is presented by the Master of Environmental Studies Student Association at The Evergreen State College.

Stamets’ lecture, “Solutions from the Underground: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World” will speak to the power of mycelium, its inherent network design, and how it affords us many opportunities for helping restore the planet. Stamets believes that fungal solutions can help solve famine, disease, improve environments and reduce the threat of terrorism.

Join us for an evening lecture followed by a mushroom and environmental community fair on April 14th, 6:30 pm at the Evergreen Longhouse. Lecture begins at 7:00pm. Tickets are $5 for community members and all students with a valid ID are free. Purchase your tickets online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/166034. For more information, please visit http://mesassociation.wordpress.com.

About Paul Stamets

Stamets has written six mushroom-related books, with his most recent being Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World. His local business, Fungi Perfecti, LLC has filed more than twenty patents, been awarded six thus far, and specializes in medicinal and gourmet mushrooms. In 2008, Paul received the National Geographic Adventure’s Magazine’s Green-O-vator and the Argosy Foundation’s E-chievement Awards. In November of 2008, Utne Reader recognized Paul as one of the 50 Visionaries of the Year. In February of 2010, Paul received the President’s Award from the Society of Ecological Restoration. He has been awarded the “Packy Award” from the Sustainable Business Coalition and Whole Foods Market’s Green Coalition for the Life Box™. In September 2010, the Life Box received the Opportunity Green Award, the best green invention amongst 25 semi-finalists. Stamets has also given a TED Talk on how mushrooms can help save the world.

About the Rachel Carson Forum

Students in the Master of Environmental Studies program at The Evergreen State College started the Rachel Carson forum in 1990. The annual celebration of author and activist Rachel Carson’s life and achievements has included speakers on climate change and local sustainability. Carson’s work embodies what MES students are training to do – make a difference. Carson is known for her groundbreaking 1962 book exposing the dangers of pesticides, “Silent Spring.” Her contributions played an integral role leading to the ban of DDT use in the United States.