Online: Rooted in Community - Restoring the Canopy from the Soil Up

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ONLINE: Rooted in Community - Restoring the Canopy from the Soil Up

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🗓️ Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026

⏰ Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. CST

💚 Cost: Free with Registration (Donations Accepted)

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$10 Spore

$25 Mycelium

$50 Mushroom

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🗓️ Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026

⏰ Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. CST

💚 Cost: Free with Registration (Donations Accepted)

What does it take to grow a healthy tree in Central Texas? The answer lies not just in the branches we see, but in the vast, living world beneath our feet—a world of fungal networks, microscopic life, and interconnected roots that sustain entire forests.

As Texas Arbor Day approaches, we invite you to join us for an inspiring online panel conversation that goes below ground to explore the hidden partnership that make tree restoration possible. From the Guadalupe River watershed to the urban woodlands of Austin, a remarkable community of scientists, land stewards, and neighbors is working to heal our landscapes—not by planting trees alone, but by restoring the living soils that trees depend on.

This panel brings together five leaders who are shaping the future of ecological restoration in Central Texas:

• Matt Welch ( San Antonio Botanical Garden ) – Leading the TREES Initiative, a five-year project to restore 50,000 native trees along the Guadalupe River after the devastating 2025 floods.

• Colin Averill ( Funga ) – CEO and founder of Funga, which restores belowground biodiversity as an engine for improving forest health and accelerating carbon drawdown.

• Devin Dufrene ( TreeFolks ) – Nursery Coordinator at a large-scale community tree planting and forest recovery across Central Texas.

• Eric Paulus ( Ecology Action ) – Stewarding urban wildlands and connecting communities to ecological restoration.

• Chris Jones ( Symbiosis ) – Working with private land owners to to build healthier soils and more resilient trees.

Together, they will pull back the curtain on the underground networks that keep our forests alive—and show us how we can all play a part. You'll learn about the intricate dance between tree roots and beneficial fungi, the importance of soil health in a changing climate, and the ambitious community-led efforts already taking root along our rivers and in our neighborhoods.

But this is not just a science talk. It's a call to action—and a celebration. Whether you are a seasoned volunteer, a landowner considering restoration, a student of ecology, or simply someone who wants to make a difference this Texas Arbor Day, this panel will leave you inspired and equipped with practical resources to get involved.

Join us to discover how fungi, trees, and people are working together to restore Central Texas—and how you can become part of the story.

This program is a part Healthy Soils, Healthy Trees research and is funded by COA Urban Forestry Grant .

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About Healthy Soils, Healthy Trees

This program is dedicated to educating our community about the vital, hidden relationships that sustain our local ecosystems. We focus on the critical role of mycorrhizal fungi—the symbiotic partners of plant roots—in building healthy, resilient soil. Healthy soil, teeming with fungal life, is the foundation for strong, drought-resistant trees and vibrant native landscapes. Through workshops, forays, and expert talks, we explore how nurturing this underground network is key to conservation and sustainable gardening in Central Texas.

Become a supporting member to get discounts on workshops, walks, and mycology related events.