A group of students from Horizon High School in Thornton, Colorado, are making strides in getting the state its own official mushroom. House Bill 1091, sponsored by Rep. Jacque Phillips, designates Agaricus julius, also known as the emperor mushroom, as the state mushroom of Colorado. This initiative, led by civics teacher Greg Sanchez, aims to teach students about civic engagement and the impact they can have on policy. The emperor mushroom, native to high-elevation forests in Colorado, plays a crucial role in the ecosystem by decomposing organic material and reducing wildfire fuel loads. The bill passed through committee unanimously and is now set to go before the House Committee of the Whole.
Students involved in the project, like Delilah Viano and Logan Burdick, believe that designating a state mushroom will spread awareness about the importance of fungi in the ecosystem. Viano believes that mushrooms are underrated and hopes that this initiative will help people understand their role in the environment. Burdick, a former student of Sanchez, is proud to be part of this project that celebrates Colorado’s natural resources.
The highlight of the committee hearing was a performance by Hamilton Pevec of the Western Colorado Mycological Association, who recited his poem “Ode to Agaricus Julius” dressed as a mushroom. The bill has gained support and is now being sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Kyle Mullica. To keep up with the journey of Agaricus julius to become the state mushroom, follow @costatemushroom on Instagram.
Source
Photo credit denvergazette.com
