Latest news with #Foray
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Working The ‘Shroom: The New Zealand Fungal Foray Heads To Taranaki
Press Release – Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research This week (11-17 May) sees the 36th annual New Zealand Fungal Foray taking place in the forests near Urenui, Taranaki. Staff at Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research began the Fungal Forays back in 1986, under the auspices of the DSIR, and have forayed across different regions in the country almost every year since then. Forays are organised by the Fungal Network of New Zealand Inc. ( with members drawn from Manaaki Whenua, Scion, universities, DOC, iwi/hapu, NGOs, botanical societies, and the general community. Each year, the Foray aims to provide new knowledge of the fungi in our native forests and other environments, documenting new records of fungi, new host relationships, and possibly species new to science. Several of the forests being accessed during this Foray are unlikely to have been previously studied for their fungi. The Foray is also a meeting point to share knowledge and help anyone interested in learning more about the amazing world of the Fungi, the second largest Kingdom of life on this planet. Around 50 people have registered for the event from across the country, with lots of new faces. Over 4 days, participants will be observing and photographing fungi in surrounding native forests, where they have permission from iwi/hapu, DOC, and Council to collect. Photos will be entered on iNaturalist to document the finds and establish a snapshot of the fungi visible at this time. Some specimens will be collected and brought back to Urenui Community Hall for identification and display purposes. Identification will be by a combination of professional expertise, literature, and microscope observations, coupled later with DNA sequencing. Specimens will be dried overnight and prepared for accessioning in the national collection, the NZ Fungarium, managed by Manaaki Whenua (Auckland), and also for collections at Scion (Rotorua) and the University of Otago. Some specimens will also be cultured to produce a live colony on an agar medium, later to be deposited in the national living collection of fungi, deep frozen in liquid nitrogen. This collection, the ICMP Culture Collection, is also managed by Manaaki Whenua in Auckland. Students and teachers were hosted from the adjacent Urenui School on Tuesday afternoon to show them some of the fungi in their forests, and on Wednesday 14 May the Foray participants presented illustrated talks on their fungal research or other relevant topics at the Hall. Fungus of the Year 2025 This year, participants have developed a 'Fungus of the Year' promotion to launch at the Foray – a simple online poll to engage and raise the profile of often-overlooked fungi: Vote for NZ's fungus of the year! – Manaaki Whenua Interactives: Vote for your favourite fungus, or maybe vote for a fungus that is threatened, or culturally important, or edible, or (on the negative side) one that's causing an important disease. As a Kingdom entirely separate from plants, and more closely related to animals, fungi come in so many shapes, colours and forms. This promotion was run some years ago when the 'sky blue mushroom' on our $50 banknote gained the most votes, so we've removed that option from the 12 fungal candidates for 2025.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Working The ‘Shroom: The New Zealand Fungal Foray Heads To Taranaki
This week (11-17 May) sees the 36th annual New Zealand Fungal Foray taking place in the forests near Urenui, Taranaki. Staff at Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research began the Fungal Forays back in 1986, under the auspices of the DSIR, and have forayed across different regions in the country almost every year since then. Forays are organised by the Fungal Network of New Zealand Inc. ( with members drawn from Manaaki Whenua, Scion, universities, DOC, iwi/hapu, NGOs, botanical societies, and the general community. Each year, the Foray aims to provide new knowledge of the fungi in our native forests and other environments, documenting new records of fungi, new host relationships, and possibly species new to science. Several of the forests being accessed during this Foray are unlikely to have been previously studied for their fungi. The Foray is also a meeting point to share knowledge and help anyone interested in learning more about the amazing world of the Fungi, the second largest Kingdom of life on this planet. Around 50 people have registered for the event from across the country, with lots of new faces. Over 4 days, participants will be observing and photographing fungi in surrounding native forests, where they have permission from iwi/hapu, DOC, and Council to collect. Photos will be entered on iNaturalist to document the finds and establish a snapshot of the fungi visible at this time. Some specimens will be collected and brought back to Urenui Community Hall for identification and display purposes. Identification will be by a combination of professional expertise, literature, and microscope observations, coupled later with DNA sequencing. Specimens will be dried overnight and prepared for accessioning in the national collection, the NZ Fungarium, managed by Manaaki Whenua (Auckland), and also for collections at Scion (Rotorua) and the University of Otago. Some specimens will also be cultured to produce a live colony on an agar medium, later to be deposited in the national living collection of fungi, deep frozen in liquid nitrogen. This collection, the ICMP Culture Collection, is also managed by Manaaki Whenua in Auckland. Students and teachers were hosted from the adjacent Urenui School on Tuesday afternoon to show them some of the fungi in their forests, and on Wednesday 14 May the Foray participants presented illustrated talks on their fungal research or other relevant topics at the Hall. Fungus of the Year 2025 This year, participants have developed a 'Fungus of the Year' promotion to launch at the Foray – a simple online poll to engage and raise the profile of often-overlooked fungi: Vote for NZ's fungus of the year! - Manaaki Whenua Interactives: Vote for your favourite fungus, or maybe vote for a fungus that is threatened, or culturally important, or edible, or (on the negative side) one that's causing an important disease. As a Kingdom entirely separate from plants, and more closely related to animals, fungi come in so many shapes, colours and forms. This promotion was run some years ago when the 'sky blue mushroom' on our $50 banknote gained the most votes, so we've removed that option from the 12 fungal candidates for 2025.
Morocco World
25-03-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Andalusian Honey Company Doray to Open New Plant in Morocco
Rabat – Seville-based honey company Doray has announced its plans to open a new production plant in Morocco by the end of 2025, according to Spanish media reports. This expansion is part of Doray's strategic growth plan, aiming to double its revenue to €20 million by 2028. The family-owned business has been in the honey industry since the 1970s, with its first international venture taking place in Morocco in the 1990s, where it now operates a subsidiary. With major customers in Morocco, the United States, and Europe, 80% of the company's current sales come from international markets. 'This expansion gives us more security to compete globally,' said Foray CEO Antonio Ramírez. The U.S. is currently one of the company's key markets, contributing 30% of its revenue, while another 30% comes from Morocco. With the new plant the company expects to increase its workforce, currently at 30 employees in Spain and 15 in Morocco. Most of Doray's honey is sourced from Andalusian beekeepers, and the company is focusing on promoting its brand while also launching innovative honey-based products like spicy honey sauces and fruit-flavored toppings. Doray's growth reflects a rising global demand for honey products, and the company is positioning itself to meet evolving consumer trends. With its expansion in Morocco, Doray aims to increase production capacity, create jobs and solidify its dominance in the Moroccan honey market while sustaining its international growth. Tags: Morocco newsSevilla
