Thank you for being one of almost 4,000 fungiphiles who voted for the CA State Mushroom! While one mushroom got the most votes, all these amazing mushrooms - and mushroom lovers - were winners.

Selection of a State Mushroom increases awareness of the pivotal role fungi play in the ecology of our state. Fungi sequester carbon, improve nutrient dynamics and water quality, and are critical food for wildlife, plants, and people. California faces many challenges going forward, and fungi provide many of the solutions we need.

With the diversity of fungi in California, picking just one mushroom to represent the entire kingdom is a challenge. So it required the effort of thousands of aficionados and dedicated mush enthusiasts. First, mycological societies around the state polled members to recommend their favorite: ultimately, six candidates were selected and put to a vote by CA residents. Almost 4,000 votes were received from all corners of our state.

Results are in. Of the six candidates, the winner was…drumroll…

Congratulations for playing an important role in selecting the California State Mushroom!!

Now we face one more important step. It’s time to convince our elected officials to pass legislation enshrining your decision, and naming the California Golden Chanterelle as California’s State Mushroom.

Your voice is still important as we bring mushrooms to the state capitol. Hopefully you are willing, if needed, to join your voice in educating legislators on the importance of a State Mushroom and all fungi to the health of California’s natural resources. Watch castatemushroom.org for progress updates.

Thank you again for voting. And thank you to all the individuals and groups who supported this project, particularly MykoWeb and California Institute for Biodiversity.

California has a state bird, state flower, state animal, even a state lichen, but not a state mushroom! Given California’s wealth of natural resources and the essential role mushrooms play in maintaining our biodiversity, it is time California had a State Mushroom!

Mycologists, mushroom societies, and other fungus lovers from around the state have identified six mushrooms that would best represent our wondrous state. Now we need your help. California residents are invited to vote for their favorite mushroom. The winning selection will be taken to the State Legislature to make it official.

This is important. Mushrooms have a central role in California’s ecology and deserve recognition of their contributions. Selection of a CA State Mushroom will help increase awareness of and funding for preservation of mushroom habitat and natural resources. This is the first step in a fun(gi) journey.