Meet the Funga Team: Tyler Claxton

Get to know the Funga crew with this newest installment of our "Meet the Team" series. Come back monthly to meet more team members, hear about their journey to Funga, and understand their vital role in our community.

Tyler and his dog Bodie on the beach.

Tyler skiing at Willamette Pass.

We’re big fans of the “Today I get to….” mentality. So, what do you get to do every day at Funga?

I get to lead an incredible team of foresters as we work toward Funga’s bold and inspiring growth goals. I get to connect with forestry professionals across the country, collaborating on planting healthier and more resilient forests. I get to put millions of trees in the ground and see firsthand how our work contributes to enabling forests to thrive for the long term. I help translate cutting-edge ecological research into practical field strategies, bringing forest science to life in a way that’s grounded, restorative, and deeply collaborative. Most of all, I get to work with passionate people from all kinds of backgrounds, learning from their experiences and building something that will last for generations.

If you had to explain what Funga does to a third grader, what would you say?

Trees aren’t the only things that live in the forest! Forests provide homes to animals, plants, bugs, fungi (like mushrooms!), and even people. For trees to grow big and strong, they need sunlight, water, and healthy soil. That’s where Funga comes in! We help forests grow bigger by putting the right kinds of helpful fungi back into the soil. These fungi act like tiny helpers—sharing food and water with trees underground. When the soil is happy, the trees are happy too!

Tyler with his family.

Tell us a little bit about your life. How did it lead you to Funga?

Since earning a Forestry degree from Auburn University in 2014, I've built a career at the intersection of field-based forestry and innovation. I began my career in Oregon, working at forest tree nurseries and managing large-scale reforestation efforts. In 2017, I earned a GIS certificate from Oregon State University, with a focus on remote sensing and terrestrial LiDAR. Over the next five years, I worked as a Forestry Consultant, specializing in forest inventory and reforestation planning for industrial timberland owners.

In 2022, I transitioned into the emerging Forest Tech space, helping pioneer carbon offset funded post-wildfire reforestation projects and advancing the use of ground-based LiDAR for forest inventory. In August 2024, I accepted the role of Lead Forester at Funga and returned to my Southeastern forestry roots. Today, I bring together a deep foundation in applied forestry with a forward-looking approach to restoration—supporting healthier forests through science, stewardship, and collaboration.

What is your favorite part of the job?

I’m a forester at heart, so my favorite days are the ones spent out in the woods. There’s something deeply grounding about being alone in the field—just the trees, the fresh air, and the work in front of me. In the fast-paced world of forest tech, where meetings and screens are constant, that quiet time outdoors helps me reset. It’s where I feel most connected to the work and most like myself.

What is one workflow/productivity tool or trick that you can’t live without?

I’m a Dad to 2 young kids. So… coffee and then more coffee after that.

Tyler measuring a tree on a cliff in Plumas National Forest.

What trivia round would you know every answer to?

I love soccer (or football if you’re cool). I can talk strategy and tactics until the cows come home.

...and I'll take Corvette History for 1000, Alex.

Can you share a favorite memory of/with the Funga team?

Every time I’ve met with the Funga team in person, it’s been a great experience—but one moment really stands out: inoculation last fall. I had just joined the company and was still learning the ropes. Inoculation is no joke—hot, dirty, repetitive work, day after day. But somehow, the team made it feel effortless and even fun. We worked hard, cheered each other on, and still found time to take a break and relax on the beach together. That experience showed me just how genuine, hardworking, and enthusiastic my coworkers are—and I knew then that we would do great things together!