Hannah Prather, a postdoctoral researcher at Reed College, and Jesse Miller, lead botanist for the Washington Natural Heritage Program, discuss the intriguing world of lichens. They unveil lichens' crucial role as air quality indicators and their significance in ecosystems, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. The conversation touches on the safety of handling lichens, their resilience against urbanization and climate change, and common misconceptions about them. Listeners will discover fascinating insights into the biodiversity lichens help maintain and their adaptive nature.