Earthworm Sampling Day

Join like-minded people with an interest in recording wildlife observations for a day surveying earthworms. The specimens collected will help us to build up an earthworm species list for the site and all records will be added to the National Earthworm Recording Scheme database. Sampling earthworms involves conducting microhabitat searches and hand-sorting soil pit samples to collect specimens for identification by our trained earthworm recorders at a later date.

This event is aimed at adults only. It’s free to attend and no previous experience is required as earthworm sampling methods will be taught to all attendees on the day. Spaces are limited so booking is essential.

Please note that this event will involve individuals collecting, preserving and killing earthworm specimens for identification purposes.

What will the day involve?

• Practical experience using a variety of methods to survey and sample earthworms.
• Practical experience in collecting and preserving earthworm specimens.
• A chance to meet fellow like-minded people from a range of different disciplines.

Earthworm Specialist: Keiron Derek Brown

Keiron has been running the National Earthworm Recording Scheme since it was launched in 2014. He has run over 100 earthworm training courses and events since 20214, covering a wide range of subjects including biology, ecology, surveying, identification and recording. He is currently authoring a Provisional Earthworm Conservation Status Assessment for the UK on behalf of Natural England.

Recording London's earthworms

All records collected will be added to the in order to share our findings with the site managers, Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGL), London Natural History Society (LNHS) and the National Earthworm Recording Scheme.

The photos generated will be shared with the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and used to train an image recognition AI to assist farmers with earthworm identification.

Southwood Site, Avery Hill Campus (University of Greenwich)

Surrounded by green space, the Southwood Campus of the University of Greenwich is in Eltham, within the Royal Borough of Greenwich (south-east London). Renowned for its excellent sports teaching and facilities, Southwood is home to all-weather and grass pitches but also incorporates the university's largest areas of natural landscape. The campus is bordered by Avery Hill Park - a greenspace measuring over 90 hectares with a range of habitats.

This event is delivered by the Biological Recording Company in partnership with the University of Greenwich, and supported by the Earthworm Society of Britain and London Natural History Society.

Host or Publisher Keiron Derek Brown