May 2025 (Click the title to view the program YouTube video)
Get ready to explore the incredible world of spiders through the close-up photography of Kevin Wiener and learn vital information about the species right here in our area. Join us for an interactive talk and unlock a newfound appreciation for these amazing creatures, turning fear into fascination one fact at a time! Come eager to ask questions, ready to learn something new, and wearing comfortable shoes – because after our discussion, the adventure continues outside with a spider hunt!
“Why are spiders so often feared, and why should we care about them?” Kevin asks. “Despite their undeserved reputation, these eight-legged arthropods play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy planet,” he says. With an astonishing diversity of nearly 53,000 known species, spiders exhibit beauty and fascinating behaviors beyond imagination. From spiders that hunt in water to those that seamlessly blend into their environment, their world is full of surprises.
Kevin is an ambassador of arthropods, an excellent educator, a phenomenal photographer, and a profoundly passionate person! Spending more than 12 years in pest management, Kevin learned the ins and outs of the industry, became a leader in the field but also realized that almost all “bugs’ were NOT pests. Additionally, he learned that what makes these animals pests is typically more situational and they still added a huge benefit to the environment. So, he made an important part of his job educating customers on how their “pest” benefits nature.
Kevin’s lifelong passion for photography had been sitting on the back burner for years when it was reignited by a photo of an ant taken with a macro lens attachment for his cellphone. After five years of cellphone photography, he purchased his first digital camera, and soon after started All Bugs Go To Kevin (on Facebook). As the group grew, so did his desire to educate on a much larger scale through online content, in-person programs and events, podcasts, publications, or anywhere else he was invited or saw a need.
Through the success of All Bugs Go to Kevin and the knowledge gained from experts who have mentored him, Kevin has been introduced to a wealth of experiences that have allowed him to grow as an educator and photographer. His accomplishments include a long list of photo publications, professional speaking engagements, educational programs with live animals, and contributing to science by leading or assisting with biological surveys. Kevin is now at the beginning of a whole new journey of doing conservation work, research, education, and photography all over the world with the help of his followers.