Exploring Local Fungi and Flies!
Exploring Local Fungi & Flies
Join the Coventry Public Library & the Coventry Land Trust for a special presentation on all things fungi and local fly pollinators of Rhode Island!
George Christi, Rare Species Data Clerk at the Rhode Island Natural History Survey.
As the rare species data clerk for the Rhode Island Natural History Survey, George is uniquely positioned to have a deep understanding of the issues facing Rhode Island's flora, fauna, and funga. Trained as an entomologist, George has identified the flower flies (Diptera:Syrphidae) as an under-studied pollinator group. With the support of the Coventry Land Trust, he conducted preliminary surveys of Syrphids and other flies at the Stella Hall and Whipple Conservation Areas. He will be presenting his findings from Coventry and throughout the state, and briefly discuss plans for 2025. As a passionate native-plant gardener, George will also be happy to answer native gardening questions, time permitting.
Deanna Tempest Thomas, Founder of the Rhode Island Mycological Society,
Deana Thomas is a biology student at Eastern Connecticut State University and a participant in the Master Naturalist Program. Passionate about helping others connect with nature, she founded the Rhode Island Mycological Society, where she leads fungal forays at sites like the Stella Hall Conservation Area, blending education with adventure. Committed to raising awareness about fungi and their role in our shared future, Deana was honored with the RIFCO Friend of the Forest Award in 2024 for her conservation efforts. She lives in North Scituate, where she grows shiitake mushrooms, vegetables, and more at her farm, Bide-A-While Farm & Forest.
In 2024, the Coventry Land Trust, the Rhode Island Mycological Society, and the local community came together to conduct fungal forays at the Stella Hall Conservation Area. Deana Thomas, founder of the Rhode Island Mycological Society, will share some of the discoveries made during these surveys and provide a foundational introduction to fungi. Land connects us across time—past, present, and future—and fungi offer a unique way to understand the history, its ecosystems, and the relationships that shape them. Join us to explore the fungi of Stella Hall and beyond and how fungi can deepen our understanding of the environment and help to connect us to the land and each other.