This February, we want to focus on the importance of connection within our own
communities. Whether you believe it or not, you are connected to those around
you and can benefit from those connections! Nature itself can teach us this
lesson through Mycelium, common mycelial networks, and the Wood Wide Web.

What exactly is Mycelium?

Typically seen as the mold on your bread or bleu cheese, this is the form of
mycelium that is most seen. However, in nature, mycelium is more than just a
speck on your food and instead forms an entire network! This network explores
the soil where fungi grow and dispense digestive enzymes onto their food
sources, breaking these sources into smaller pieces which feed the fungi and
other organisms. While these mycelial networks can be microscopic, they can also grow to cover 2,385 acres, as seen in the case of the Humongous Fungus in Oregon - the largest living organism on Earth!

What is a common mycelial network?

Mycelium doesn't only connect to other mycelium and fungi, but also is able to
connect to the entire forest around them, forming a cross-kingdom network that
is known as a mycorrhizal network. This network not only benefits the mycelium
but benefits the trees and plants around in a multitude of ways:

1: Trees and plants connected to the network produce sugars and fats via.
photosynthesis, which the fungi connect to through the network.
2: The fungi absorb the water and nutrients in the soil far more than the roots of
the plants and trees will allow.

These are not the only benefits of this mycelial network. Messages can also be transmitted through these underground connections. For example, a plant experiencing disease or pest pressure can send chemical signals through the network, allowing neighboring plants to activate defense mechanisms before infection occurs.

The benefits extend beyond individual plants. Mycelial networks, working in collaboration with plant roots, play a critical role in removing carbon from the atmosphere, helping to purify the air we breathe. This remarkable cross-kingdom relationship - often referred to as the “Wood Wide Web” - represents a mutually beneficial communication and resource-sharing system that supports the health and resilience of forest ecosystems.

What can we learn from this?

Although we may be more connected than ever through the internet, many of us experience an unprecedented sense of disconnection. Absorbed by our phones and screens, we can lose sight of the people and moments directly around us. Yet meaningful connection is always within reach - whether it’s sharing a smile with a stranger at the store or helping a friend move.

Like mycelium beneath the forest floor, we thrive through real, grounded connections. By nurturing relationships within our communities and beyond, we can build networks that support one another and leave us feeling more connected, present, and fulfilled.

Cheers to mushrooms, connection, and a beautiful February.