Spiders of Ontario – Tom Mason has more than 32 years’ experience in the zoo world. He earned a BSc University of Guelph and a diploma in Zookeeping from Seneca College, and served as the Curator of Invertebrates at the Toronto Zoo and acting Curator of Birds at the Toronto Zoo. He has traveled and studied natural ecosystems on 5 continents. Today, he still leads tours for fish and reptile enthusiasts to Costa Rica. Tom has worked on three recovery teams for Ontario’s endangered species, and has worked on conservation projects in Cuba and Costa Rica. In addition, Tom has coaxed more than 50 species of reptiles and amphibians to reproduce in captivity. Tom will be speaking on those eight legged creatures that most love to hate, the largely misunderstood Spiders of Ontario.