MEETING LOCATION:
We will be meeting in person at Bonar Parkdale Presbyterian Church, 250 Dunn Ave, just South of Queen Street West. Arrive after 6:30 PM for refreshments and socializing, the meeting starts at 7:30PM.
We will also be holding the meeting online through Zoom. Members will be sent the link in the newsletter in the week leading up to the meeting.
TALK & SPEAKER:
Dr. Michael McTavish is a postdoctoral fellow studying the biological control of invasive plants and the impacts of non-native earthworms. His research background is in the fields of ecological restoration, invasion science, and the biological control of weeds. Dr. McTavish's current research focuses on biocontrol of introduced Phragmites and garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and the ecology of non-native earthworms.
In this talk, Dr. McTavish will provide an overview of the invasion and impacts of non-native jumping worms, and what you can do at home to identify, report, and reduce their spread.
Non-native earthworms, primarily of European origin, have been invading North American soils for hundreds of years and altering ecosystems. More recently, a new group of non-native invasive earthworms from Asia referred to as “jumping worms” have been found in North America. Jumping worms were first detected sporadically in Canada in 2014, with more substantive reports collected from southern Ontario in 2021. Jumping worms are strongly associated with the horticultural trade and can have dramatic impacts on soils and plants, both in natural settings and managed gardens.
This talk is sure to be interesting and relevant to us since jumping worms have been found throughout Toronto, including in High Park.
Jumping Worm Info Sheet by Dr. McTavish (Download the PDF here):
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