{
  "id": 313523,
  "title": "Lydia Hansen Introduces Hikers to Native Midwest Mushrooms on Crocheted ‘Fungi Hunts’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/lydia-hansen-introduces-hikers-to-native-midwest-mushrooms-on",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-04T15:33:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Colossal",
    "slug": "colossal",
    "url": "https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2026/08/lydia-hansen-fungi-hunts-crocheted-mushrooms-minnesota/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Minnesota-based artist Lydia Hansen launched a unique project in 2023 called the 'Fungi Hunts', aiming to integrate her passion for nature and creativity into public experiences. Every week for a year, Hansen took a hike, inspired by the idea of crafting crocheted mushrooms that resemble those encountered in the wild, sparking excitement upon discovery. The first iteration of the project was held at the Lost Creek Hiking Trail near Chatfield, Minnesota, where visitors could partake in the experience.\n\nFor the third iteration, the Fungi Hunts will be at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, Minnesota, and Hansen has more planned for upcoming seasons. Hansen describes her artistic style as \"experiential fiber art,\" merging her love of nature and creativity in the open space. She developed the designs to promote awareness of native flora, encouraging people to look beyond the most colorful or unusual fungi species and appreciate the natural surroundings around them.\n\nEach mushroom, constructed from native Midwest species like the turkey tail and oyster mushroom, is made from secondhand yarn and temporarily affixed to dead wood using staples, screws, or stakes. The project received a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, enabling Hansen to work with naturalist Tanner Barnharst to create interpretive signage for the hikes. The interpretive signage provides accurate information about the fungi species, becoming increasingly important as internet reliability decreases and accurate scientific knowledge becomes scarce, especially in areas with limited cell service.\n\nThe Eagle Bluff Fungi Hunt will continue through October 31, and Hansen and Barnharst will offer a free guided mycology hike on August 16. Plans are already underway for the artist's largest Fungi Hunt yet, which will take place across three parks in Olmsted County next summer. Additionally, Hansen is organizing a fungi-themed exhibition at the Kouba Gallery in Bloomington, Minnesota, and has received invitations for future installations from around the world. For more information, follow Hansen on Instagram.",
  "summary": "An ongoing series of seasonal scavenger hunts in Minnesota woodlands playfully invite inquiry. Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Lydia Hansen Introduces Hikers to Native Midwest Mushrooms on Crocheted ‘Fungi Hunts’ appeared first on Colossal .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}