We tend to think of earthworms as positive, helpful creatures that build soil, improve aeration, store water, and generally help their ecosystems. This is true for many of the 4,400 species of earthworms that have been identified worldwide and the 19 species native to Vermont. It is decidedly NOT true about a Northeast Asian species known as Amynthas agrestis, or crazy snake worm. ‘Snake’ in the common name describes the snake-like side-to-side wiggle they use to move, while the ‘crazy’ part refers to their gyrating antics when touched or disturbed. Josef Görres will speak about these invasive earthworms that are rapidly spreading throughout Vermont (especially the Chittenden County and Upper Valley areas), negatively affecting our forests and some garden plantings.

Josef has a Ph.D. in physics and worked with the paper industry before he got an additional MS in Natural Resources Science. He now teaches soil science at UVM. Studying soil profiles has led to an interest in alien earthworms and their negative impacts on Vermont forests.

There will also be some information available at this event on Randolph’s Floodplain Forest from RACDC’s AmeriCorps Member, Will Gilbert. This area of forest in Downtown Randolph is a rare community of sugar maple and ostrich fern in a floodplain setting. This forest also has a number of invasive plant species, and needs town residents to help keep them in check. Work days and educational events will be planned throughout the season to improve the Floodplain Forest and to learn about these invasive species so that we can identify, control, and even use them to our advantage.