The early bird gets the worm, as they say.

Worm experts Jim and Madeleine Porter, of Nature's Worms, made sure their "birds" got a very early start as they explained what worms do and how they help on Wednesday, May 17.

The Porters explained the difference between earthworms, the deep burrowing worms who burrow around tree roots, and red worms, who live near the soil surface. Red worms are usually the wriggly worms you'll find when you turn over an old log.

The Porters also explained how worms make the soil they inhabit healthier. Worms love to eat dead plants, leaves and trees, and can speed up the natural process of composting. The worms also move through the soil, helping to distribute air and nutrients as it moves.

At the end of the talk, the Porters helped their audience build 'worm boxes', composed of moist newspaper strips as bedding, and fruit and vegetable scraps, which essentially work as compost boxes. The worms eat the fruit and vegetable scraps and leave behind compost, which can be used for gardening.

At the end of the day, the students all brought home their own "pet worm".