Wild edible mushrooms play a vital ecological, nutritional, and socio-economic role in many forested and rural communities. Ecologically, they contribute significantly to nutrient cycling by decomposing organic matter and enriching soil fertility. Many species, especially ectomycorrhizal fungi, form symbiotic relationships with trees, enhancing plant health and forest resilience in the face of environmental stress. Nutritionally, wild mushrooms are a valuable source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. For many rural populations, especially in developing countries, they serve as an accessible and nutritious food source. Promoting their conservation and sustainable use is essential for ecosystem health, food security, and community development.

The main aim of the project is to strengthen biodiversity conservation and community resilience through an integrated, participatory approach that combines scientific research, habitat restoration, sustainable mushroom cultivation, and community education. It seeks to address critical drivers of biodiversity loss deforestation, overexploitation, and pesticide use that have severely reduced the availability of culturally and economically significant mushroom species, some of which are now considered locally extinct.

Key objectives include:

- Biodiversity Restoration: Reforestation of degraded areas with 3,000 seedlings of native ectomycorrhizal trees like Afzelia africana and Isoberlinia doka, to re-establish habitats conducive to fungal growth.

- Mycological Survey and Documentation: Conduct advanced surveys to identify and catalogue rare and threatened mushroom species, combining ethnomycological insights with scientific inventories.

- Sustainable Cultivation and Training: Empower local communities especially women by providing theoretical and practical training in the cultivation of high-demand local mushroom species (Volvariella volvacea and Lentinus squarrosulus), improving food security and household incomes.

- Community Engagement and Awareness: Run targeted awareness campaigns using visual materials and workshops to educate on the importance of mushroom conservation and sustainable forest management practices.

The project targets the conservation of species listed as threatened by the IUCN, including Afzelia africana (Vulnerable), Pterocarpus erinaceus (Endangered), and Vitellaria paradoxa (Vulnerable). It also emphasizes protecting ecological symbioses, particularly between Termitomyces fungi and termites an essential relationship for soil health and biodiversity.

The project’s broader ambition is to promote a model of conservation that ensures ecological integrity while enhancing the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. Through its science-based and community-driven methodology, the project contributes to both biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development in rural Benin.