Step through thousands of years of history and ask yourself what our world looked like before climate change. The Gatekeepers project is developed to inspire the next generation of keepers and rouse in all of us the need for continued stewardship of the natural world. Arches, as a vertical, curved, free-standing structure, have been with us as early as 2000 BC. During the Roman times, these structures were used to commemorate triumphs. In other cultures, these curvilinear paths outline doorways to homes, temples, and sacred spaces.

 

The Gatekeepers is grown from mycelium. Mycelium is the same substrate that fruits mushrooms and holds our entire planet together at the roots. Mycelium itself is profound. Mycelium as a medium is a climate crisis game changer. The left and right sides of the columns currently stand at 3.5 feet. As of December 22, 2022, approximately 200 lbs. of mycelium have been used to grow the columns of bricks. After growing the columns to 5.5 feet, the final phase of growth will begin with the use of the North Spore sponsorship. The archway will be grown using a sawdust spawn from North Spore which will fruit golden oyster mushrooms which will crown the arch of the gate.

Upon completion the archway is slated to stand at 6 feet at the keystone of the archway with a 4.5 foot width between columns. 

 

There are approximately 2,000 seashells or 30 lbs. grown into the bricks to illuminate the need for Marine conservation. Water is where we came from and it is what we all need to thrive and survive on planet Earth. Our oceans are in great danger, and they too call for the need of continued conservation. Grown into the sides of each pillar are 15 symbols of bees, moths, honeycombs, and other natural wonders along with 6 keystone species which have been sculptured from clay and foraged botanical materials.  This page will continue to provide updates of images as the Gatekeepers project grows towards completion.