Outside of insects, spiders are one of the most diverse groups of animals on Earth. New species are being described by biologists all the time, increasing our recognition of that diversity. While some people don’t like spiders very much, they pose little danger to humans. In this class we explore the wondrous diversity of the eight-legged creatures. Just in time for Halloween, we will look into their biology as well, looking at their use of silken webs, venom, feeding, and reproduction.

Instructor - Jeff Babson

Jeff Babson is an all-around naturalist, with particular interest in birds, butterflies, moths, beetles and dragonflies.

Owner of Sky Island Tours, an environmental education and eco-tour company, Jeff has led birding tours for the Tucson Botanical Gardens, Pima County Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and several birding festivals in southern Arizona (Wings over Willcox, Southwest Wings, Tucson Birding and Nature Festival). He lives in Vail with his wife and two children.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

No refund will be issued less than 15 days prior to any Community Class. A $10 cancellation fee will be applied to all refunds. No refunds will be issued for special events. We reserve the right to cancel Community Classes due to insufficient registration, garden closure, or inclement weather, in which case, participants will receive a full refund. People with disabilities should make requests for accommodation as early as possible to allow time to make appropriate arrangements.