B.Eng. Leeroy Tanner

Synonym: B. Eng. Leeroy Begle

“Fungi are not a marginal aspect of nature—they are at its very heart. Anyone who wants to understand and shape ecosystems must understand the hidden networks that connect everything. Mycology is not just a science—it is the key to a regenerative future.”

This conviction shapes the work of B.Eng. Leeroy Tanner—a landscape ecologist, mycologist, and founder of MYCOFACTUM. He currently works and conducts research as a mycologist at the MRCA and as a nature educator with the Tyroler Glückspilze, where he often serves as the voice of the mushrooms.

Scientific Roots

From an early age, he developed a deep connection to nature and began to teach himself about the local fungal communities and the ecology and biodiversity of the forests and fields in his native region. His studies in landscape architecture at the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences in Freising (B.A. 2014) built upon this early passion, where he worked as a research assistant and tutor for botany and specialized plant applications.
He dedicated his thesis to “The Conservation Relevance of Green Roofs with Near-Natural Vegetation Communities.” From 2008 to 2015, he worked at the Nemetz Nursery, where he acquired practical horticultural expertise as a certified horticultural technician—a foundation that deepened his understanding of plant-fungus interactions.
His years of practical work as a gardener, landscape architect, and biodiversity consultant raised his awareness of the invisible interactions in the soil: mycorrhizal fungi. In 2023, he completed his internship at Tyroler Glückspilze / MRCA Mushroom Research Center Austria
and began specializing in mycological research.

Personal motivation

In his professional work, he focuses on the continued development and maintenance of MYCOVERSE –
– a culture bank that plays a vital role in preserving the genetic diversity of fungi in the Alps. In February 2024, he founded MYCOFACTUM – Association for Mycology & Cultivation in Vorarlberg and
– and serves as its chairman. He works with farmers, gardeners, forest owners, and anyone interested in learning more about flora, fauna, and fungi to share knowledge about mushrooms, their ecological functions, and their therapeutic applications. In doing so, he places great emphasis on a practical approach and on integrating modern mycological research with sustainable landscape design concepts.

Innovation, Standards, and Research

A central focus of his work is the development of mycorrhizal products and consulting services. He specializes in symbiotic fungus-plant relationships, ecological restoration, and sustainable agriculture, and supports projects in applying the latest findings from mycological research to practical environmental solutions. His certification as a plant protection consultant by AGES/BAES (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety) underscores his commitment to scientifically sound applications.

In May 2024, he expanded his range of expertise by becoming a certified mycology consultant and mycotherapy practitioner. His innovative approaches offer promising solutions for sustainable agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and climate change mitigation.

Education and Artistic Vision

His dynamic presentations at conferences and workshops—including his acclaimed programs for children and young people, “Mushroom Detectives: On the Trail of Mushrooms” and “We’re Becoming Mushroom Growers”—inspire the next generation of mycologists and nature enthusiasts. Through his artistic work at KUMOP – Kultur und Musik ohne Profit e.V. and the artist collective KULTURSEKTOR ELEKTRA, where he practiced techniques using mushroom dyes, mushroom wood carvings (split wood), and natural pigments, he has continued to pursue his public engagement and environmental education.

A particular strength – symbiotic thinking

He knows how to combine scientific precision with artistic creativity and advocates for an integrative understanding of ecosystems—as an interplay of landscape architecture, mycology, and therapeutic applications. His work makes it clear that, for him, fungi are not merely a field of research, but also a model for sustainable collaboration and symbiotic relationships. At the Mycoverse Foundation, he contributes his expertise in mycorrhizal research, alpine ecology, ecological landscape design, and therapeutic mycology, helping to understand and harness nature’s hidden networks—and to shape a regenerative future based on cooperation rather than exploitation.

He is further establishing his growing international reputation through his participation in conferences such as the ALPS Conference on Psychedelic Science (Switzerland), the IMMC International Medicinal Mushroom Conference (Italy), the IG Fungi conference (Zurich), and the Vienna Mushroom Festival, where he serves as an ambassador for Austrian and Alpine mycology.