SGLN has partnered with a number of local organisations on a new project to protect and learn more about the threatened Giant Gippsland Earthworm.
Through this project colonies on 10 properties will be protected (including one with a covenant), working with an invertebrate ecologist to locate and provide a risk assessment for the earthworms, and on ground works. A botanist will research vegetation associated with GGE colonies, and update planting guidelines and develop species lists for modified revegetation in areas where GGE’s occur. It’s important to adjust revegetation plans if GGE’s are present, because planting trees over colonies can dry out the ground and could possibly cause extinction of colonies.
A field day will also be held for the general public in spring 2023.
This project is led by BCLN, and partners include SGLN, Trust for Nature and the Gippsland Threatened Species Action Group. The ‘Enhanced Knowledge and Protection of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm’ project received grant funding from the Australian Government.
For more information on Giant Gippsland Earthworms, visit https://www.giantearthworm.org.au/.
This video we created in a previous project is also a great introduction to Giant Gippsland Earthworms and their habitat.
