© 2024 WYPR
WYPR 88.1 FM Baltimore WYPF 88.1 FM Frederick WYPO 106.9 FM Ocean City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Jumping Spiders

Irvine Nature Center

 

At Irvine Nature Center, every day is different. Some days include trail walks and ground maintenance, while other days include exciting animal encounters with native animal species. Last week, I was lucky enough to have a day that included the latter.

Irvine’s Marketing Manager and I were at her desk discussing a few upcoming projects. I glanced down briefly to the seam where two cubicle walls met and was greeted by two very tiny, shining black eyes. I stepped back, unsure of what, exactly was staring out at me. The shy creature moved forward slightly, producing two fuzzy legs. “Oh hey,” I exclaimed, “A jumping spider!”

W. Brooks Paternotte took the helm of Irvine Nature Center as executive director in July 2013 and immediately began building on the strong 35-year foundation. Brooks is a Baltimore native who was a teacher, coach, advisor, dean and Head of the Middle School during his 13 years at Boys’ Latin School in Baltimore. He is also an instructor and ambassador of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and is a Leave No Trace Master, as well as an avid outdoorsman and a features writer for FlyLife Magazine.