Programming for camps, presentations, and workshops during the weekends and summer months. Contact amy@spidermentor.com

Upcoming events:

Sunday, June 2, 2024 @ Phipps Conservatory Annual Bioblitz in Schenley Park. Event runs 9am-3pm. Join me for a spider hike, “Spider Tracks”, from 12pm-1p! This is a FREE family event! https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/calendar/detail/bioblitz

Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 and Friday, Oct. 27, 2023 @ Bump in the Night with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy,  6:30pm – 8:00pm. This fun family event takes you on an evening hike through the woods to different stations, one being the SPIDER table! There will be a campfire, marshmallows to roast, and a chance to pick a pumpkin! $12, registration. Register online at pittsburghparks.org.

SATURDAY, Sept. 30, 2023 @ Dari Delite Swissvale Closing Day Celebration, 4:00pm – 5:30pm. Come celebrate the season closing of this creative neighborhood sweet spot! I will be there for the second time with a few of my eight-legged friends preaching the good word. Soft serve and spiders….now THAT’s what I call a party! www.facebook.com/yoursweetoasis

MONDAY, July 10, 2023 @ Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek for the Knee High to Nature program, 1:00pm, Armstrong County. Did you know all spiders produce silk and that some actually specialize in eating other spiders!!! Join the Spider Mentor, Amy Bianco, for an up close and personal look at spiders and come away with an appreciation for these fascinating and often misunderstood creatures. FREE EVENT – www.armstrongcenter.org for more info and to register!

SATURDAY, June 3, 2023 @ Family Nature Palooza, 10:00am – 3:00pm, Blue Spruce Park, Indiana County.

2022

SATURDAY, OCT. 15, 2022 @ Dari Delite Swissvale Closing Day Celebration, 4:00pm – 5:30pm. Come celebrate the season closing of this creative neighborhood sweet spot! I will be there with a few of my eight-legged friends preaching the good word. Soft serve and spiders….now THAT’s what I call a party! www.facebook.com/yoursweetoasis

SATURDAY, OCT. 22, 2022 @ Bump in the Night with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy,  6:30pm – 8:00pm. This fun family event takes you on an evening hike through the woods to different stations, one being the SPIDER table! There will be a campfire, marshmallows to roast, and a chance to pick a pumpkin! $12, registration opens at noon on Oct. 3rd. Register online at pittsburghparks.org.

SATURDAY, OCT. 29, 2022 @ Baldwin Borough Halloween Party, 4:00pm – 5:00pm. Another fantastic opportunity to check out the spider table! You never know what you’ll learn! More info at www.baldwinborough.org

SATURDAY, OCT. 29, 2022 @ Bump in the Night with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy,  PART TWO! 6:30pm-8:00pm. If you didn’t get a chance to get over to Frick Park on the 22nd, now’s your chance! Get your tix in advance! pittsburghparks.org.

2020

SATURDAY, SEPT. 19, 2020

CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER – GIRLS ROCK SCIENCE! I’ll have a table full of spidery things from 10am – 2pm. Stop by to meet a widow and a recluse spider in person or maybe even pet Chandra, the tarantula! All activities are included with general admission: Carnegie Science Center celebrates women in science with a day full of learning adventures at Girls Rock Science! Enjoy fun activities showing how science ROCKS through educational programming in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Activities include a series of interactive STEM experiences, contributions to citizen science projects, and conversations with female STEM role models. Participants will also learn about inspirational women who have made important contributions to science. More info here!

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2020 – CANCELLED
EARTH DAY IN FRICK PARK – SPIDER WALKS                                                         

At least two Spider Walks are scheduled for this day! If you wanna know if spiders really explode babies when you step on them or if they bite you in your sleep, this is for YOU! We’ll walk and talk and look for spiders to see if they’re “within three feet” of us. You will leave looking at spiders in a more positive way!

This event is FREE. Show up early to register – SPACE IS LIMITED! For more information, please visit https://www.pittsburghparks.org/earth-day

2019

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26 and THURSDAY, JUNE 27 – SPIDER WORKSHOPS at Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) 2019 

Spiders – Fear and Fascination (YEB-334-1540)
Wednesday, June 26, 2019                                                                                              CCAC – South Campus
7pm – 9pm           $39
Students will challenge their fears of spiders and enrich their fascination by learning about the natural history of spiders. In this workshop, students will learn the taxonomy and classification of spiders, examine live and preserved specimens and discuss common misconceptions which lead to irrational fears. By the end of the workshop students will be able to identify common spiders, identify the different types of spider webs and debunk widespread spider myths. Click title to register.

Spider ID Workshop (YEB-360-1540)                                                                       Thursday, June 27, 2019                                                                                                  CCAC – South Campus
7pm – 9pm          $39
Learn how to identify common spiders from Western PA! We will spend the entire workshop catching and identifying spiders from around the campus. You will learn how to recognize many of our common spiders using magnifiers and microscopes. This workshop is designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike! Click title to register.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2019
EARTH DAY IN FRICK PARK – SPIDER WALKS
12:00pm and 1:30pm

As part of Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s community celebration, I will be leading  two, hour-long hikes in the woods. “Creepy becomes cool and fear becomes fascination! Join Amy Bianco on a spider hunt to meet some of Frick Park’s resident spiders. You’ll learn about different webs, behaviors, and curiosities. You’ll leave seeing spiders in a whole new light!”

This event is FREE. Show up early to register – SPACE IS LIMITED! For more information, please visit https://www.pittsburghparks.org/earth-day

2018

SPIDER WORKSHOPS at Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) 2018
SPIDERS—FEAR AND FASCINATION Students will challenge their fears of spiders and enrich their fascination by learning about the natural history of spiders. In this workshop, students will learn the taxonomy and classification of spiders, examine live and preserved specimens and discuss common misconceptions which lead to irrational fears. By the end of the workshop students will be able to identify common spiders, identify the different types of spider webs and debunk widespread spider myths.
Weds 7/18/18 YOUTH ages 12-17 South Campus YOU-367-1540 $39 11:00AM–2:00PM
Sat 7/21/18 ADULT South Campus YEB-334-1540
$39 11:00AM–2:00PM
Register online at www.ccac.edu/community-education/

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2018
EARTH DAY IN FRICK PARK – SPIDER WALKS
1:30pm and 3:30pm
As part of Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s community celebration, I will be leading  two, hour-long hikes in the woods. “Creepy becomes cool and fear becomes fascination! Join Amy Bianco on a spider hunt to meet some of Frick Park’s resident spiders. You’ll learn about different webs, behaviors, and curiosities. You’ll leave seeing spiders in a whole new light!”

This event is FREE. For more information, please visit https://www.pittsburghparks.org/earth-day

SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2018
Discovery Time: Creepy Crawlies
1:00pm – 3:00pm EDT
Price: Free All ages; families
I will be making a guest appearance at this fun, free event!
Drop by the Frick Environmental Center classroom between 1:00-3:00 to learn about the spiders of Frick Park! Although some may find spiders to be creepy crawlies, spiders are extremely important to the Frick Park ecosystem. Learn about spider webs by playing a game of web toss, discover the different parts of a spider through making a spider craft, and even get a chance to see live spiders up close.

This program is suggested for families with children of all ages. Registration is not required; register to receive an email reminder closer to the event date.

 

2017

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017
 Healthy, Active, and Green: Nature Walks
Spiders1:00pm – 2:00pm EDT
Price: Free
All Ages
There’s an amazingly wide world of spiders outside, and sometimes inside that so many of us take for granted. This month, we’re joined by local spider expert, Amy Bianco to reveal the often unseen world of spiders in Frick Park. This hike is not designed to be strenuous, but Pittsburgh is a hilly place so there will be some ups and downs. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. For questions or to register, visit pittsburghparks.org or call Lan Tran at (412) 586-4576 ext. 102

SATURDAY, JULY 29th, 2017
Spiders 101 and hike at 2pm!

SATURDAY, JULY 8th, 2017
10am – 10pm: Chartiers Creek BioBlitz hosted by the Allegheny Land Trust – a FREE family event at Wingfield Pines Conservation Area in Pittsburgh’s South Hills.