Victoria and Christopher Vacher are mycologists, educators, and cultivators. They are the founders of Enchanted Nature, an organization dedicated to helping people engage and understand nature, as well as promote fungi, biodiversity, and conservation. Their work blends education, mushroom cultivation, the manufacture of medicinal mushroom extracts, mycoremediation exploration, and public outreach, with an emphasis on making mycology accessible, engaging, and relevant to everyday life.
They are members of the North American Mycological Association Speakers Bureau, Friends of Fungus, owners of Enchanted Nature, and are the founders, organizers, and operators of the annual Enchanted Mushroom Festival. Together, they teach and present programs on mycology, mushroom foraging, medicinal mushroom applications, and fungal ecology to audiences ranging from schoolchildren and nature enthusiasts to academics and government professionals.
Victoria Vacher holds a BS in Horticulture with a minor in landscape architecture from The Ohio State University and has taught college-level courses at multiple institutions. She is a published author in gardening and horticultural periodicals and a former Assistant Director of the Cleveland Botanical Gardens. She is also an experienced mushroom forager and mycologist, with a focus on plant and fungal identification. Christopher Vacher is a mycologist and naturalist with a Mycology Certificate from the University of Victoria and three decades of experience in horticulture. He has advanced training in food safety, manufacturing practices, and conservation contracting, holding multiple professional certifications and licenses.
They present as a duo, keeping presentations conversational, dynamic, and lively with good-humored exchange; often aimed at each other. Their programs are science-based and adaptable. They emphasize reading the room, adjusting the level of detail, and pacing to keep material engaging, approachable, and never boring. Presentations typically include hands-on specimens, visual media, and supporting materials.