We all share the common desire to leave the Earth a better place for our children, and for future generations. The problems of pollution and environmental degradation can sometimes seem so vast that it's hard to know where to start. What can we do?
We can show our children that we care about their future, and the future of their children’s children, by actively participating in clever and innovative solutions to re-green the Planet.
The Life Box™ is one solution. It was invented by Paul Stamets, mycologist, author and founder of
Fungi Perfecti®, LLC. The Life Box™ suite of products builds upon the synergy of fungi and plants by infusing spores and seeds together inside of packaging materials that can be planted.
How Does The Life Box™ Work? We have done the hard work—all you need to do is to follow our simple instructions. We have several versions of the Life Box™ in development. Our first version uses trees, and is aptly called the
Tree Life Box™.
You can get started by simply tearing up the panel, planting in soil, and watering. For a more detailed planting guide you can consult the Growing Instructions included with your box—and also available online—where we provide tips to help your Life Box™ flourish.
The
Tree Life Box™: Creating Forests for Future Generations: Seeds sprouting on cardboard with mycorrhizal fungi
The Tree Life Box™ panel is made of recycled paper fiber. In this fiber, we have inserted a wide variety of tree seeds, up to a hundred, dusted with mycorrhizal fungal spores. The mycorrhizal fungi protect and nurture the young seedlings. For millions of years, plants and beneficial fungi have joined together in a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship.
The fungi "sprout" or germinate to form an attachment with root cells and extend into the soil with a network of fine cobweb of cells called mycelium. The mycelium mothers the seed nursery by providing nutrients and water, thus protecting the growing trees from disease, drought, and famine.
So…..when you plant your trees outside in their permanent home, send us an email with the address—or better yet, the GPS coordinates—of your planted Life Box™. We will collect this data and eventually post the locations on a map of the United States. In the future, we hope to create an interactive Web site so customers can share their experiences. Stay tuned!
Lifebox -- Thinking Outside the Box!
