10 – 12 November 2026
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Dubai World Trade Centre Sheikh Saeed Halls 1, 2 & 3
Georgina Pereira
Species Survival Manager - IUCN SSC Center for Species Survival Fungi at Terra, Expo City Dubai
Georgina is a desert ecologist based in the United Arab Emirates. She specializes in mycology, fungal conservation, and environmental education. She leads the IUCN SSC Center for Species Survival Fungi based at Terra, Expo City Dubai. As part of the Center, she spearheads initiatives such as developing the UAE’s first fungi dataset and the Middle Eastern Fungal Database, while also supporting global fungal red list assessments. Her work bridges research, policy, and public engagement, with a strong focus on arid land fungi, ethnomycology, and nature-based solutions for climate resilience. At Terra, she designs educational programs, citizen science events and conservation workshops to support urban biodiversity. With a background in both environmental law and biodiversity conservation, and a passion for science communication, she integrates conservation strategy with storytelling to raise the profile of fungi in biodiversity planning.
Speaker Sessions
Sustainability & Wellbeing
1610
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Fungi in Focus: Mycelial Learning for Your Classroom
Session Summary:
Fungi are often called the hidden kingdom of life, essential for ecosystems, food, medicine, and culture, and yet, are largely overlooked in classrooms. This interactive workshop explores why fungi matter, highlights the gaps in current curricula, and offers hands-on ideas for weaving fungi into cross-curricular learning. Drawing on principles of nature-based learning and outdoor education, this session showcases how exploring fungi in our local landscapes can spark curiosity and deepen ecological understanding. Through activities and discussions, educators will discover creative tools, local examples, and global resources to make fungal education engaging, relevant, and unforgettable for students.
Speakers:
Georgina Pereira
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Species Survival Manager - IUCN SSC Center for Species Survival Fungi at Terra, Expo City Dubai
Categories:
STEM Education
Sustainability
// GESS EDUCATION INSIGHTS
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