Lichenology 101
Event Details
- When
-
Oct 24, 2026 09:00 AM
to
Oct 25, 2026 01:00 PM - Where
- Instructor
- Hannah Prather
- Class Tuition
- Minimum Age
- Add it to your calendar
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Long ago, an algae and a fungus teamed up to conquer the world.
One of nature’s most successful partnerships, lichens are everywhere in the Pacific Northwest—quietly shaping the ecosystems around us. But there’s much more to lichens than using Old Man’s Beard to start a fire. Join Hannah Prather of Reed College to explore their hidden complexity and ecological importance.
We’ll begin at Institute headquarters in Sedro-Woolley with a lecture and hands-on classroom session. Participants will learn the basics of lichen biology, including morphology and physiology, and how to identify several common species in the PNW. After lunch, we’ll head to Northern State Recreation Area for guided lichen-spotting and discover how lichens serve as important indicators of air quality in urban environments.
On day two, we’ll meet at the Baker Lake trailhead to explore lichen diversity in a more protected forest setting. Along the way, we’ll compare species found in urban and wild landscapes and continue practicing field identification skills. The course will conclude around 1:00 pm.