Fati Sambo, the FC-SSA project focal point, took part in the Fourth International Congress on Conservation organized by the International Society for Fungal Conservation (3–7 November 2025, Benin). She highlighted the collaboration as a local partner of the project and shared the activities carried out by the Papatia community, including ectomycorrhizal tree nurseries and forest restoration efforts from seed collection and nursery management to reforestation. She emphasized the support provided by the project, including training on mushroom cultivation and the income earned from project activities, praised the initiative, and offered strong recommendations for ensuring the project’s sustainability. The International Society for Fungal Conservation awarded the women of Papatia for their remarkable commitment to fungal conservation through the FC-SSA project. The active integration of local communities, particularly women, aligns with sustainable forest and fungal conservation goals, reinforcing their essential role in environmental stewardship.
