The Tipping Point

Welcome to something completely new and exciting! This first issue of FUNGI is the culmination of nearly a year’s worth of work on the parts of several of the Editors and myself. We were all in agreement from Day 1 about the pressing need for a journal that addresses the interests of amateur and professional mycologists. Of course launching a new periodical is a bit nerve-racking and I found myself asking, “If we build it, will they come?” Several recent events led us to the conclusion that something new and audacious had to happen. The tipping point came to me by way of commentary from Gary Lincoff, author of The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms. He told me that back in 1980, at the NAMA foray in North Carolina, Harry Knighton (basically, the founder of NAMA) dumped a load of European mushroom journals on the table during a Board of Trustees meeting one year. It was Gary's first year as President of NAMA and Harry was so upset over the downward spiral of McIlvainea that he stormed up and down the room, yelling loud enough for folks outside to hear. I understand there was some betting on whether Gary would walk out or be carried out! Harry Knighton felt that, at the very least, North American mycologists should have a magazine of their own that was the equal of what the Europeans were publishing. I passionately share those same sentiments and am confident that this issue represents the first audacious step towards that goal.

On behalf of everyone at FUNGI, I give you my warmest regards,

FUNGI Magazine Staff & Contributor Bios:
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