Learn about the biology and ecology of earthworms, and why they may just be the most important animals of all! Known as the gardener’s best friend, it is widely recognised that earthworms are important creatures. Earthworms are involved in the breakdown of waste animal and plant material and help keep soils fertile and rich.
If you’re interested in finding out more about earthworms but don’t feel ready for a beginner’s ID workshop, then this is the course for you. Earthworm Biology & Ecology is a very gentle introduction to one of our planets most important animals, introducing aspects of their biology, ecology and behaviour.
This course combines the use of classroom-led learning and outside learning opportunities led by one of our bee tutors to give individuals the skills and confidence to learn more about the lives and ecological roles of earthworms.
- Certificate upon course completion.
- Endorsed by the Earthworm Society of Britain.
- Please note that this course is NOT a species identification course and will only go as far as categorising British earthworms into ecological categories.
What will be covered during this course?
- Come and learn about the different ecological types of British earthworms and their natural history.
- Listen to some fascinating facts about the worldwide diversity of earthworms.
- Learn why earthworms are so important to both man and nature.
- Observe earthworms in their natural environment.
Tutor: Keiron Derek Brown
Keiron Derek Brown first became interested in invertebrates during a field-based entomology module at university and went on to volunteer on soil biodiversity research projects at the Natural History Museum (London). This included sorting samples of invertebrates to order level and sampling invertebrates across the New Forest in Hampshire and the Malaysian rainforests of Borneo.
Keiron set up the Biological Recording Company with the aim of inspiring amateur naturalists to take up the identification and recording of invertebrate groups that are often forgotten and rarely recorded. He also teaches the Field Studies Council Discovering iRecord and earthworm courses. In his spare time, he is an Entomology Chair of the London Natural History Society and is the National Recorder for Earthworms (running the National Earthworm Recording Scheme on behalf of the Earthworm Society of Britain).
Learn About Earthworms in the Forest of Bowland
This course is delivered by the Biological Recording Company on behalf of the Forest of Bowland AONB and Earthworm Society of Britain with funding from the Yorkshire Dales Millenium Trust and Forest of Bowland AONB Hay Time Project.
Booking
The course costs £20 and can be booked via Eventbrite.