By Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Helen Schuler Nature Centre taking a look at the Wild Side of Love for Valentines Day

Feb 4, 2018 | 8:29 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Organizers are hard at work preparing for “The Wild Side of Love”, the annual fundraising event at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre on Feb. 14.

The adults-only event begins at 7 p.m.

A release from the Nature Centre says it will provide a hilarious look at love in nature while also raising money to support interactive exhibits at the Nature Centre.

Resource Development Coordinator Curtis Goodman says this is the first time the centre has put on the Wild Side of Love since 2011.

“The idea behind it was trying to create a novel idea for a Valentines Day date for locals, that not only provides an educational experience but also help raise funds for the Nature Centre,” Goodman said.

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Guest speakers at the event will be John and Kathleen Hancock, who are known as Alberta’s spider experts.

They will give a presentation to audience members on the courtship and mating rituals by spiders found in nature.

Paired with fine wine, hors d’oeuvres, and live music, Goodman says the Wild Side of Love provides all the elements of a perfect date.

“John and Kathleen recently released a guide book on their insights and will be able to share a lot of interesting information about how spiders approach courtship,” he continued. “Which can be fascinating when you consider the musical approach they use, strumming their webs.”

Goodman says anyone who attends will surely learn some unique information about spiders that most people aren’t aware of.

Proceeds from the Wild Side of Love will support the Nature Centre’s new Wentzscope easy-view microscope cabinet, which will soon be on display thanks to funding support from the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta.

“It’s a unique display. People will be able to take an object in the woods and easily observe it, without needing the technical skills usually required to use certain kinds of microscopes,” Goodman said, adding it has an external display port so they’ll be able to use it in the classroom or for large groups of people.

Limited tickets for the event are available at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre, where anyone interested can buy them in person or over the phone at 403-320-3064.