From a Boy’s Discovery to Big Solutions: How Mushrooms Can Help Heal Our Planet
In 2023, a young boy in Barrington, Rhode Island, made headlines when he stumbled upon a rare mushroom never before seen in the state. The discovery excited scientists and mushroom enthusiasts alike, reminding us of the mystery and power hidden in the natural world. Mushrooms may seem small and ordinary, but they hold extraordinary abilities. In fact, these fungi might help solve some of our biggest environmental challenges.
At Ocean Blue Project, we have seen firsthand how mushrooms, and more specifically, the underground web of threads called mycelium, can filter pollution, restore ecosystems, and even help break down plastic waste. Let’s take a closer look at how fungi are becoming one of our most unexpected environmental allies.
What Makes Fungi So Special?
When we think of fungi, most of us picture mushrooms on a pizza or growing in a forest. But the real magic of fungi lies underground. The mushroom itself is only the fruiting body, the part we see above the surface. Beneath it lies a vast network of tiny threads called mycelium. These threads stretch through soil, wood, and even water systems, connecting ecosystems in ways scientists are still discovering.
Mycelium acts like nature’s internet, passing nutrients and information between plants, trees, and other organisms. But it does even more: it can filter out toxins, break down pollutants, and recycle waste back into healthy soil. This ability has inspired scientists and environmental organizations to explore fungi as natural tools for cleaning up our planet.
Mycofiltration in Corvallis: Mushrooms at Work
Ocean Blue Project began experimenting with fungi in Corvallis, Oregon, to see how mushrooms could help clean local waters. Volunteers worked together to place burlap bags filled with mushroom spawn, coffee grounds, and straw in urban stream areas. The idea was simple but powerful: as stormwater flowed through these bags, the mycelium inside would act as a living filter, trapping and breaking down harmful substances before they entered storm drains.
The results were inspiring. Fungi’s mycelium naturally filtered out pollutants such as pesticides, bacteria, and oil. In a world where stormwater runoff is a leading cause of water pollution, this project showed how fungi could provide a sustainable and low-cost solution for healthier waterways.
This process is called mycofiltration, using fungal networks to filter and clean water. Mycofiltration has potential not only for small communities but also for cities around the world. Instead of relying only on expensive chemical treatments or large infrastructure projects, fungi can step in as humble but mighty helpers.
Teaming Up with Science: Ken Cullings and NASA Research
Ocean Blue Project is continuing this important work with the help of scientists. We are currently collaborating with Ken Cullings, a respected scientist with experience at NASA, to study the genetics of fungi in a catchment holding pond. By learning more about the DNA of these organisms, we can better understand which fungal strains are most effective at filtering toxins and cleaning water.
But the research doesn’t stop there. Fungi are showing promise far beyond water filtration. Some strains have the remarkable ability to break down plastics, one of the biggest environmental threats facing our oceans today. Read more here.
Plastic pollution is a growing crisis. Every year, millions of tons of plastic enter the ocean, harming marine life and breaking down into microplastics that end up in our food and water. Traditional recycling methods can only do so much, and many plastics are nearly impossible to reuse. But certain fungi have evolved to “eat” plastic by breaking down its chemical structure.
In partnership with Ken Cullings, Ocean Blue Project is studying the Acremonium fungus, a strain that shows great potential for breaking down plastic. The hope is that fungi like Acremonium could one day be used to remove plastic from landfills, polluted sites, and even the ocean itself.
plastic-eating-bacteriaWhy This Matters for the Future
The story of a boy finding a rare mushroom in Rhode Island might seem small, but it connects to something much bigger. Every mushroom, every patch of fungi, is part of a vast system that helps keep our planet in balance. These organisms have been recycling nutrients and cleaning ecosystems for millions of years. Now, with human support, they may help solve modern problems like water pollution and plastic waste.
Imagine a future where cities use mushroom-filled bags to clean stormwater, where landfills are treated with fungi that break down plastics, and where coastlines are restored with the help of natural fungal networks. This isn’t science fiction—it’s the future we are working toward at Ocean Blue Project.
How You Can Help
Fungi might be small, but the movement to protect our planet needs all of us. Here are a few ways you can take part:
- Support local cleanups: Ocean Blue Project organizes events where volunteers clean waterways, beaches, and parks. Every piece of trash removed makes a difference.
- Learn more about fungi: Explore how mushrooms and mycelium work in nature. Share what you learn with friends and family.
- Reduce plastic use: While fungi may help break down plastic in the future, the best solution is to use less in the first place.
- Donate or partner with Ocean Blue Project: Your support helps fund research, community projects, and innovative solutions like mycofiltration.
The Humble Mushroom: Nature’s Superhero
From the rare mushroom found by a curious boy in Rhode Island to groundbreaking research in Oregon, fungi are showing us just how powerful nature can be. They may not wear capes, but mushrooms are superheroes in their own way, quietly cleaning, repairing, and sustaining the world around us.
At Ocean Blue Project, we believe that by working with nature instead of against it, we can build a cleaner, healthier future. And sometimes, the solutions to our biggest problems start with something as simple as a mushroom.
Learn more about our work with fungi and plastic pollution here: