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By Meredith Maloney

Office Manager/Naturalist

Rumbling below the surface as the soil warms and plants start to wake are a wriggly and slimy invasive species that we all know and love. They have no eyes, five hearts, and can regrow their tail: everybody loves a good worm!

March 20 officially marks the beginning of spring, and with it comes the awakening of worms. Well, not quite an awakening, as they often spend winter in estivation, which is less of a true slumber and more of a slowed metabolic state. In addition to estivation, worms have evolved a variety of different methods to survive the winter. Some worm species burrow deep as deep as six feet below the surface to avoid the freezing cold. Some species lay eggs that go into their pupal stage right before winter comes, utilizing their cocoon as a winter shelter.

Since worms don’t have lungs and “breathe” through their skin, they need moisture to avoid suffocation. When the temperature drops below freezing, worms release a mucus that allows them to stay moist until March comes again.

Earthworms, as fun and familiar as they may be, have not always been in North America. It is estimated that they arrived here in the 1800s as Europeans sailed to America. Like many invasive species, they were not brought over on purpose and instead hitched a ride on plants and other cargo being brought to North America. Native worms used to inch their way through North American soil, but didn’t survive the last ice age nearly 11,000 years ago. Today, Minnesota has 15 different types of Earthworms, none of which are true Minnesotans.

I know what you may be thinking; earthworms recycle nutrients back to the soil! They help garden plants grow tall and strong! This may be true, but what is helpful one ecosystem can be damaging to another. Here’s why: Minnesota’s forests are used to a life without worms, and slowly decomposing leaves provide good nutrients for wildflowers, ferns, and trees. Worms eat these leaves and decompose them too quickly, sometimes getting rid of them completely. This means that a lot of young trees and sprouts can’t get enough nutrients, which in turn affects plants and animals that rely on them for food, shelter, and more.

This summer, we are excited to offer a new class all about worms for learners ages 7-8 years old; take a look at our summer brochure for all summer offerings!

March at the

Nature Center

Saturday: Flora and Fantasy: Board Game Afternoon, 1-4 p.m.

March 8: Maple Syrup Class: Register Online, 1:30-3 p.m.

March 13-14: Lunar Eclipse Viewing Event, noon to 2 a.m.

March 22: Maple Syrup Class: Register Online, 1:30-3 p.m.

March 29: Bonsai Workshop: Register Online, 1-4 p.m.