Marbled Orb-weaver by Craig Williams
Some call them "creepy" and some call them "cool." Either way, spiders are infinitely interesting, and this workshop is designed to help you discover some of the amazing attributes that make them so. We’ll have opportunities to distinguish the sexes of spiders, surely a skill you've long desired to acquire. Through our discussion and discovery, you’ll gain a better understanding of the different types of webs spiders spin, including how and why they are spun. Their silk is symbolic of the many connections they make in nature, and we'll have conversations about that too.
We’ll talk about the most common species found around the home, and we will learn how to find and identify common spiders of meadows, woodlands, and wetlands. Because many spiders tend to reach maturity in the fall, they make themselves a bit more available for study this time of year. Since we’ll be at Conestee Nature Preserve, we’ll reserve the right to get a bit distracted if we see something other than a spider that warrants discussion. However, we’ll try to keep it focused and certainly fun.
At the end of the day, you’ll be able to:
1. Identify several common spider species found in various habitats of the Southeast
2. Describe basic aspects of spider natural history
3. Appreciate the relationships between spiders and their environment
4. Feel confident and equipped in moving forward into your own study of spiders
Carolina Wolf Spider by Craig Williams
Where: This training will take place at the beautiful Conestee Nature Preserve, in the Piedmont of South Carolina. More detailed directions will be provided after registration.
When: We will meet at 9:00 AM at parking lot D and conclude at 2:00 PM.
Who: This training is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age is 16. For SC Master Naturalists who have not taken a spider course, this event can count as Advanced Training and towards your statewide certification. If you are not a Master Naturalist, just come have fun with us. Participants may also receive a list of other participants to allow for carpooling to the park.
This class will be taught by naturalist Austin Jenkins, who teaches and facilitates the popular Midlands Master Naturalist class for the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. Jenkins teaches Natural History of South Carolina at USC Sumter.
IMPORTANT: Participants should be in good physical shape. We may cover some distance in our search for spiders. September can still be warm - even hot – so do check the forecast. The entire event will be held outdoors.
Other Important Notes:
Restrooms (porta johns) are available at the park.
• Participants should bring a bag lunch and water and be prepared for a day in the field.
• There is no rain date for this event. We will make every effort to hold it, even in a few rain showers. If it looks like a deluge, we'll notify you of cancellation and refund your money.
• After registering you may receive important correspondence via email. If you change your email between now and then, make sure to notify us.
Cost: The cost is $75.00 per person and limited to the first 20 people that register.
SCWF reserves the right to cancel any event, due to unforeseen circumstances, extreme weather, low registration, or pandemic-related guidance from local/state officials. Any cancellation by SCWF will result in a full refund for all registrants.
Special thanks to Bill Stokes and Craig Williams for photos.
