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Conservation and Licences
When collecting fungi be aware of conservation principles and do not pick more fruit bodies than needed. Try to identify as many fungi as possible without uprooting them. There are some potentially rare and endangered native fungi unique to Australian woodlands (e.g. Torrendia grandis). Although removing fruit bodies does not necessarily kill the fungal networks, disturbance to the soil can disrupt them and they may need considerable recovery. Minimize soil disturbance and try not to spread soil or wood in case dieback or other diseases are present in the area. Brush excess soil off fungi at the spot where they were collected, and clean trowels or other instruments used to dig them up. To clean and wash tools use 70% methylated spirits (7 parts meths: 3 parts water).
Written permission is usually needed from landholders or managers of any land that is to be surveyed for fungi in Australia. A licence or permit must be obtained to collect fungi legally on any land, other than private property. Government agencies in each Australian state issue licences - such as the Department of Conservation and Land Management in Western Australia.
Codes of Conduct for collecting fungi are in place for some countries, but not yet established for Australia. See for example the British wild mushroom pickers’ code of conduct at
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