The giant Palouse earthworm was in lands now turned to agriculture. But there are some remiaining in other areas nearby. Local people are indeed trying to protect these other areas (Palouse prairie in particular).

Of course the current administration is not being blamed for the agricultural conversion that started 100-plus years ago. It is being blamed for current inaction under the Endangered Species Act.

It is asked, ‘if the worm is declared an “endangered species” will farmers be forced to stop plowing…?’ Likely not – it is not expected that the earthworm is under the farms any more; none has been found there.

Farmers are being educated about and some are, in fact, encouraging wildlife. We don’t yet quite know how to encourage these earthworms directly. ESA listing would help give us time for more action and research.

Conservationists are in fact working to revert lands back to the native Palouse prairie species. (And it’s the Nature Conservancy, not the Nature Conservatory.)

True, there is a need to educate locals on the stewardship of their lands, so that natural habitat can be preserved. This is being done.

Those filing for protection of the giant Palouse earthworm are locals, not outsiders, and they do not see worms more important than people. It is absurd to say so.