MNS Selangor Branch Open Day - Featuring Exciting Mycology Event at Taman Tugu Park

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Received: 14 June 2025 / Accepted: 15 June 2025
@mnsselangorbranch.org

Introduction

Taman Tugu is a 66-acre forest park for the public which aims to conserve, protect, and preserve a secondary forest located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch has invited the public to its annual open day on 14th June 2025, at the park. The event aims to highlight its efforts in nature conservation and related topics. This year, it is thrilled to introduce the Mycology Special Interest Group (Mycology SIG), which is dedicated to helping people understand, appreciate, and conserve fungi. There is a lineup of engaging events planned such as talks (including webinar), exhibits (including photos and fresh cultivated mushroom blocks), and guided walks that will offer in-depth education, showcase innovative research, and encourage community involvement, making mycology accessible to everyone.

The Mycology SIG’s main goal is to help the public understand, appreciate, and conserve fungi, with a special focus on the fungi (including slime mold) found at the park. It also provides comprehensive education, innovative research and community engagement which makes mycology accessible to everyone.








Public members visit to Mycology SIG exhibition booth
(Photos by CK Chan & Lenny Wong)



MNSSB Mycology Committee Members – Lenny Wong, Jacqueline Low, Alexia Ng & CK Chan.
(Photo by Lenny Wong)

Special Guest - Dr. Patahayah binti Mansor (Forest Research Institute Malaysia, FRIM)
(Photo by Celeste Wong)



Guided walk lead by Azamuddeen Nasir (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)
(Photos by CK Chan)

Hemitrichia sp (Slime Mold) 
(Photo by CK Chan)

Clitopilus crispus 
(Photo by CK Chan)

Results and Discussions

Even though the event was short, the public's reaction was really positive, with a great turnout. The Mycology SIG activities, like the webinars and guided walks, which were limited to just 20 participants, filled up completely before the event day. It is estimated around 200 visitors at the exhibition booth, including nature enthusiasts, weekend adventurers, hikers, families, and even some international guests.

People are really curious about what fungi actually are. They pay close attention to all the explanations given by the Mycology team members. Some of the interesting questions that often come up from the public focus on whether certain fungi are edible. However, this time, they were also curious about whether the fungi shown in the photos are found in Malaysia (or overseas). They wanted to know what techniques we can use to identify them and how essential fungi are to the forest ecosystem. Is the presence of fungi a sign of a healthy forest? This really emphasizes the crucial role fungi play in biodiversity, and it’s a message that resonates with visitors.



Conclusions

The event turned out to be a great success, with a fantastic turnout! The Mycology SIG achieved its goals of helping the public understand, appreciate, and conserve fungi, especially those found in Taman Tugu Park. This lays the groundwork for the long-term objectives of the Mycology SIG, which include providing thorough education, fostering innovative research, and encouraging community engagement to make mycology accessible to everyone.

Acknowledgement

Loon Yit Hong (Event Organizer and MNSSB Mycology Lead Coordinator)
Jacqueline Low (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)
Azamuddeen Nasir (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)
Chan Chee Keong (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)
Lenny Wong (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)
Alexia Ng (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)
1Luca Pilia (Mycologist & MNSSB Committee Member)
2Joseph Pallante (Amateur Mycologist)
Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch (MNSSB)
Event volunteers: Kho Wui Kiong, Khor Hong Beng, Ooi Bak Kheang and Celeste Wong.

Special thanks to Dr.Patahayah Mansor, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)

Event Sponsor : 7Stars Mushroom Sdn. Bhd.


Hi, I'm Loon, a fungi enthusiast who loves exploring, discovering, and hunting mushrooms. Reading and studying about fungi keeps my curiosity alive about the wonders of nature.

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