What are lichen, and why are entire forests preserved for their sake?

There are more than 300 species of lichen in Mount Revelstoke National Park, and they're important enough to prompt the preservation of the entire forest. The Weather Network's Mia Gordon explains why.

Mount Revelstoke National Park is home to more than 300 species of lichen, with scientists remarkably still discovering new species within the park.

Most people have likely seen a form of lichen, but perhaps they have never known exactly what it is.

In the video above, I speak with Parks Canada's Fern Blasy to find out more about these misunderstood (and underappreciated) fungi!

(Lichen header image courtesy of NickyPe via Pixabay).