Animals, plants and nature

Events that involve pets, animals and plants, such as pet washes, adoption days, nature walks, microchipping, nature photography exhibits, nature tours, bird walks, calls for volunteers for nature-related work days, etc. Send items to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com two weeks before event date.

Feb. 13

Stable Managers Workshop: Early registration by Friday, Feb. 13, for event 5:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, Kenosha County Center, 19600 75th St., Bristol, Wis. (Highway 45 and 50). Program will feature a discussion on "Reducing Legal Risk in Equine Activities" and "Insurance Needs for a Stable Operation" and end with a panel discussion. Fees are $20 for adults, $10 for ages 18 and under for registration postmarked by Feb. 13, $30 for adults and $15 for 18 and under for late registration. Register online through the University of Illinois Lake County at web.extension.uiuc.edu/lake. For information, call Rose Skora, at (262) 857-1945.

Feb. 14

Of Bogs and Books: 10-11:30 a.m., the second Saturday of each month, Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Adults share morning coffee and snacks over a discussion of nature, science and environmental readings. On Feb. 14, discuss "Where the Wild Things Were: Life, Death, and Ecological Wreckage in a Land of Vanishing Predators" by William Stolzenburg. Reservations are requested but drop-ins are welcome. Call (815) 344-1294.

For the Love of Owls: 1:30-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Meet live owls, received insights about North American owls and learn to recognize their different calls. For ages 7 to adult. Reservations are requested; limited drop-ins welcome but program may be canceled if minimum registration is not met. For information, call (815) 344-1294.

Feb. 15

Scatology Hike: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Ages 7 to adult are welcome to join Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki on this gross and interesting hike to learn about what animals' droppings reveal. Reservations are requested; limited drop-ins welcome but program may be canceled if minimum registration is not met. For information, call (815) 344-1294.

Feb. 19

Basic Pruning Techniques: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Learn a few basic techniques to tame unruly trees and shrubs. Refreshments begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a business meeting at 10 a.m. with the program starting at 10:30 a.m. The garden club welcomes all interested, no matter what level of expertise. For information, call Jan Stefans, at (847) 945-6575.

Feb. 20

Astronomy Nights: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. The Lake County Astronomical Society meets the third Friday of each month except December. 7:30 p.m. business meeting is followed by an indoor presentation at 8:30 p.m. and viewing if skies are clear about 9:30 p.m. For information, call (815) 344-1294.

March 10

Buffalo Grove Garden Club: 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove. Patricia Armstrong of Prairie Sun Consultants will present "Saving The Earth with Native Plants." Guests are welcome. For information call Sylvia Ney, at (847) 537-4677.

March 15

Bird Walks: 8 a.m. Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 15, Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Enjoy migrating birds in a variety of habitats. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and field guides or use those provided. Walk length and time varies. Geared to adults, although attentive kids 7 and up are welcome. Meet in the Parking Lot. Reservations are requested. For information, call (815) 344-1294.

March 28

Bird Walks: 8 a.m. Saturday, March 28, Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Enjoy migrating birds in a variety of habitats. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and field guides or use those provided. Walk length and time varies. Geared to adults, although attentive kids 7 and up are welcome. Meet in the Parking Lot. Reservations are requested. For information, call (815) 344-1294.

Ongoing

Relax and Read to Rover: 5-6:30 p.m., Mondays through March 2, Wauconda Area Library, 801 N. Main St., Wauconda. Children in grades 1-6 are invited to bring their favorite books and read to a certified therapy dog. Each session will last 20 minutes. Registration is required. For more information, call the Children's Services at (847) 526-6225, ext. 212.

Pooch Pantry: 12:30-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, B.C. Dog Training, 920 Turret Court, Mundelein. B.C. Dog Training and B.A.R.K are collecting dry dog and cat food, canned dog and cat food, biscuits and any pet treats to help families in need feed their pets. Gift cards from are pet supply stores will also be accepted (no cash or check donations). For information or to suggest a family in need, call (847) 566-1960 or e-mail dobes8@aol.com. The Pooch Pantry will be open for families in need from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays at B.C. Dog Training.

Puppy Playtime: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturdays, Doggy Day Camp, Inc., 21212 W. Commercial Drive, Mundelein. Puppies 10 weeks to 6 months of age with proof of vaccinations can play with other puppies for free in a safe, off-leash environment. Puppies must be in good health and free from any contagious diseases within the past 30 days. Advance registration is required. For information, call (847) 970-6777 or visit DoggyDayCampInc.com.

Citizens for Conservation seed collection: Thursdays and Saturdays 9 -11 a.m.; and Sundays 3:30-5 p.m., 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Volunteers of all ages are invited to help collect seeds from a wide variety of native plants. (847) 382-7283.

Nippersink Garden Club: A new garden club is forming to serve northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Members of the Nippersink Garden Club are coming together because of the love of gardening and the love of the Nippersink Creek area and waterways. Membership is open to all interested men, women and their children. Membership will be free and 2009 meetings are yet to be determined. Visit nippersinkgardenclub.org or contact Stacy at (262) 279-5992 for details.