A mycologist reaffirms the wonders of the natural world.

David Schmalz here. One of the most formative books of my life—books that reshaped the way I see the world—was E.O. Wilson’s The Future of Life, published in 2002. 

It opened my eyes to the fact that the pharmaceutical industry largely relies on compounds found in nature to develop its drugs. In that way, Western medicine isn’t so different from Eastern or Indigenous medicine, other than that it’s been rigorously tested. 

That’s why I want to call your attention to an article my colleague Katie Rodriguez wrote about mycologist Paul Stamets, a modern evangelist for the power mushrooms can play in our world. I’ve long known of Stamets and have seen his TED talk online, so I was thrilled Rodriguez was able to connect with him in advance of his talk at Golden State Theatre on Nov. 14, to wrest some pearls of wisdom from the sage of the understory. 

I was surprised to learn that turkey tail mushrooms helped his mother successfully fight cancer—just earlier this year, while I was out at Rana Creek Ranch, CSUMB biologist Fred Watson pointed out some turkey tail mushrooms growing on a log. I had not known their name. 

And there was plenty more I learned from reading Rodriguez’s story—like Monterey County is Stamets’ favorite in California—and I encourage you to check it out, and hopefully it will inspire you to get outside and take in the marvels of our natural world with a freshened perspective.