Speaker: Alissa Allen is the founder of Mycopigments. She specializes in teaching people about how to find, recognize, and utilize fungi for dyes. Alissa was introduced to mushroom hunting as a child, growing up in the Pacific Northwest. She joined the Puget Sound Mycological Society in 1998 and her fascination with fungi flourished into a lifelong pursuit. She has studied fungal diversity and fruiting cycles all over North America as a volunteer and research assistant.  Some of her finds can be found in Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast (Siegel, Schwarz). Over the past 20 years she’s taught fungal ecology, mushroom identification, and mushroom and lichen dyeing to countless students in three countries and twenty-five states.  

Alissa strives to share her enthusiasm for fungi and the essential role they play in our lives with as many people as possible. In 2015, she created the Mushroom and Lichen Dyers United discussion group and The Mushroom Dyers Trading Post. These groups have brought together a vibrant community of over 15,000 members. Though she specializes in regional mushroom and lichen dye palettes, her overall mission is to inspire people to engage more deeply with nature. It is her hope that with a newfound appreciation for mushrooms and lichens, commitment to care for our planet will grow exponentially.  

To learn more about Alissa’s work, visit mycopigments.com.