The Montpelier Tree Board and North Branch Nature Center are co-hosting a presentation on Crazy Snake Worms: Thursday, Sept. 13th at 2:00pm in the Maxham room of NBNC.
Did you know there are no native earthworms to Vermont? In fact, there is a relatively newer worm species from Japan/Korea called a Crazy Snake Worm that is wreaking havoc just under the soil. These self producing (all are female and able to form their own eggs!) worms can grow so densely that they are able to change good rich soil into a dry coffee grounds texture making it difficult for new plant roots to establish.
Come learn more about these invasive worms at North Branch Nature Center in the Maxham room on Thursday, Sept. 13th at 2:00pm. After the indoor presentation, we will go outside to the Montpelier Tree Board Nursery (located just behind the community gardens) to find the real squirmers!
Why is this important? In our gardens, we can add in more compost to replace the organic humus these damaging worms can destroy, but in our forests, when Crazy Snake Worms are present, they make the top humus layer inhospitable for new saplings and understory plants. They have/will continue to affect our forest ecosystems health.
NY and Wisconsin have already prohibited the sale/transport of any plant material or compost/soil with these critters. Vermont needs help recognizing these worms as a problem pest that should be regulated. Dr. Josef Gorres (UVM Professor) has been studying the Crazy Snake Worms (he is going to Japan at the end of this week to continue his research). We are trying to spread the word to give him and his research a platform that we hope will bring about regulatory change.
If you have questions or want more information, please email: sarahhoffmeier@gmail.com and we hope to see you there!
Feb 2, 2025, 2 to 5 PM
That's That Thursday with Nasteeluvzyou at AlchemistFeb 6, 2025, 6 to 9 PM
Fly Tying ClassesFeb 6, 2025, 6 to 8 PM