Northwest suburban pets & 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. Deadline is two weeks before event date.

Sept. 18

Prairie Woods Audubon Society: 5:30 p.m. bird walk; 7 p.m. meeting/presentation Thursday, Sept. 18, Spring Valley Nature Center, Schaumburg. Pat Winkelman, president of the Vehe Farm Foundation will speak about the farm in Deer Park.

Four Paws Animal Foundation: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 19, 215 N. Crest Ave., Bartlett. Garage and bake sale to benefit rescue/adoption efforts. (630) 289-0478.

Sept. 19

Native Seed Gardeners seed drives: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays; 3:30-5 p.m. Sundays, Citizens for Conservation headquarters, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Volunteers collect seeds from natural populations in the Barrington area. Visit NativeSeedGardeners.org.

Arlington Heights Farmers Market: 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, Eastman Street between Arlington Heights Road and Evergreen, downtown Arlington Heights. Fresh produce, seasonal fruit, plants, cut flowers, breads, Pastries, cheeses, preserves, kettle corn, cheese cakes, dry pastas, sauces, focaccias and cookies, mushrooms, fruit butter, more. Call Claudia, (847) 421-1860.

Park Ridge Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, downtown Park Ridge. Fresh vegetables, fruit, flowers, cheeses, baked goods, pickles, salsa, honey, artisan soaps, dog treats, more. Barb, (847) 318-5217.

Illinois African Violet Society Inc.: noon-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19; 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe. The Illinois African Violet Society will celebrate 54 years with a judged show, educational display and sale. Call Tom Moore, (847) 251-3857.

Flint Creek Fall Festival: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 19, Langendorf Park, 235 Lions Drive, Barrington. Educational activities, face painting, food, prizes, rain barrel and birdhouse giveaways, displays, activities, live native reptiles and amphibians, animal pelts, more. flintcreekwatershed.org.

Fall Bushel Basket Workshop: 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Plant up a colorful fall container garden with pansies, mums, ornamental cabbage and other blooming flowers. Everything you need is included in the $40 fee. Register at (847) 359-1080.

Nippersink Garden Club: 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, Genoa City Bike Trail Park, Genoa City, Wis. Tour of the native gardens of the riding trail, meeting to follow at the home of Elizabeth Lyons. For informaiton, call Elizabeth, (262) 279-2905 or nippersinkgardenclub.org.

Sept. 20

Mount Prospect Lions Club Farmer's Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday Sept. 20, west Metra station parking lot, Route 83 and Northwest Highway, in downtown Mount Prospect. Fresh farm produce, food, nutrition products, crafts, health services, family activities, cooking demonstration series, more. For information, (847) 682-0880 or MtProspectLions.com.

Prairie Pik'n: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Learn about prairie restoration and help collect seeds with a naturalist in one of the center's local prairie fields. Hat, sturdy shoes and long pants recommended. (847) 381-6592.

HOGS for Dogs Charity Ride: 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, Heartland Animal Shelter, 2975 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. Leisurely 75-mile observation ride to benefit Heartland Animal Shelter includes food, raffle, music and more. Ride ends at Jesse Oaks, 18490 E. Old Gages Lake Road, Gages Lake. For registration information, visit heartlandanimalshelter.net.

Prairie Woods Audubon field trip: 8-10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, Cuba Marsh, Barrington. See abundant waterfall and early fall migrants. Jim Peterson, photographer and field trip chairman, will lead the trip. Meet in the parking area at 8 a.m., on Cuba Road, west of Ela Road and east of Route 59 or at 7:30 a.m. at the Bank of Palatine, Northwest Highway and Plum Grove Road to carpool. prairiewoodsaudubon.org.

Sept. 21.

Prairie Woods Audubon Society field trip: 3-5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, Illinois Beach State Park, Zion. Meet at the North Unit parking lot or at 2 p.m. at the Bank of Palatine, Northwest Highway and Plum Grove Road, to carpool. Cyndi, (847) 776-8713.

Green Thumbs of Barrington Garden Club: 12:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway. Charlene Breitlow presents, "Growing Herbs for Tea." Bring a china tea cup for tasting. Visitors welcome. Call Vicki, (847) 526-5998.

Sept. 22

Bird walks: 8 a.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 22 and 29, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Join the Natural History Society of Barrington to observe resident and migrating birds. Meet in the parking lot. (847) 381-6592.

Sept. 24

Native Seed Gardeners seed drives: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays and 3:30-5 p.m. Sundays, Citizens for Conservation headquarters, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Volunteers collect seeds from natural populations in the Barrington area. Visit NativeSeedGardeners.org.

Sept. 25

Field of Dreams Mane Event: 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, St. Charles Country Club, 1250 Country Club Road, St. Charles. Silent and live auctions to benefit Field of Dreams Horse Rescue and Adoption. $50, dressy casual, no jeans. RSVP before Sept. 25, to Chris, (847) 431-6302.

Sept. 26

South Barrington Park District Pet Fair: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, Arboretum Mall, routes 72 and 59 in South Barrington. Various pet businesses, local pet shops, veterinarians, animal communicator, animal massage therapy, adoption agencies, contests, training demonstrations, photos, prizes, more. For event information or to participate as a vendor, call (847) 381-7515.

Autumn Ramble: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Enjoy the last flowers of summer and the first colors of fall during a walk through woods and prairies. (847) 381-6592.

Northwest Suburban Astronomers star party: 7 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Sept. 26, Marengo Ridge Conservation Area, Shelter #2, wast side of Illinois Route 23 about two miles north of the town of Marengo. Look at stars, galaxies, nebulae and star clusters with the help of NSA member telescopes.

Spring Flowering Bulbs: 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Learn about the new varieties of spring bulbs, get planting tips and learn how to be successful with bulbs. Free. (847) 359-1080.

National Public Lands Day: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, CFC headquarters, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Join Citizens for Conservation for the 16th annual National Public Lands Day. Volunteers of all ages can help collect seeds of native plants, which will then be processed and sown in local preserves. Bring work gloves and dress for the weather. New volunteers welcome. (847) 382-7283.

Stillman Celebrates 25th anniversary: 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Children and adult activities. Stillman provides the main course and beverages, you bring a side dish to share. RSVP to (847) 428-6957.

Sept. 29

Bird walks: 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Join the Natural History Society of Barrington to observe resident and migrating birds. Meet in the parking lot. (847) 381-6592.

Oct. 1

Garden Club of South Barrington: Thursday, Oct. 1. Slide presentation, "Garden Rooms Without Walls." Speaker Shirley Remes, Better Homes and Gardens field editor, presents a program on how to create garden rooms in your yard. Call Anita, (847) 277-7151.

Oct. 2

The Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 2, Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Drive, Hoffman Estates. Programs cover various aspects of amateur astronomy, for program details and club information visit nsaclub.org.

Oct. 3

Tree and Shrub care: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Free seminar will offer information on preparing your garden and yard for its long winter's nap. Learn how to protect your evergreens and shrubs to survive the winter cold and return healthy and robust in the spring. (847) 359-1080.

Oct. 6

Four Seasons Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Oct. 6, at a members home. Kickoff meeting of the 2009/2010 season. Includes brunch, bring a dish to pass; discussion of 2009 garden successes; and perennial exchange. Alana, (847) 438-3981.

Oct. 11

Prairie Woods Audubon Society: 3 p.m.-dusk, Sunday, Oct. 11, Stillman Nature Center, South Barrington. "The Big Sit." Bring a folding chair, munchies and beverage and sit and count the bird species. Meet at the dock/picnic area. Cyndi, (847) 776-8713.

Oct. 14

Wheeling Garden Club: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, Pavilion Senior Center, 199 N. First St., Wheeling. Lori Hazelwood, Forester of the village of Wheeling, presents "Prepare Your Shrubs and Trees for the Winter." Business meeting follows the program. Public invited. Ken, (847) 537-8642.

Oct. 15

Garden Club of Inverness: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. William Buckley, president of the Illinois Beekeepers Association and a beekeeper, address the membership. All gardeners welcome. For information, call Beth, (847) 934-7929.

Oct. 21

Tri-Village Garden Club: Meets Wednesday, Oct. 21, Hanover Park Branch Library, 4300 Audrey Lane. Annual dues $15. (630) 830-0118 or (630) 289-4253. trivillagegardenclub.org.

Nov. 6

The Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Drive, Hoffman Estates. Programs cover various aspects of amateur astronomy, for program details and club information visit nsaclub.org.

Dec. 4

The Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Drive, Hoffman Estates. Programs cover various aspects of amateur astronomy, for program details and club information visit nsaclub.org.

Midwest Bass Busters: Bass fishing club is looking for new members at any experience level. No boat is necessary. Monthly meetings are held at The Where Else Lounge, Higgins Road and Lively Blvd., in Elk Grove Village. The club fishes one weekend a month from April-October. Call Len (847) 870-7070.

Garden Club of Inverness scholarships: Students who live in the area serviced by District 211 and Barrington High School and who plan to major in horticulture or environmentally related studies in college are invited to apply. Applications available at the guidance officers in District 211 and Barrington High School.

Plant a garden: Garden Plots are available free to residents interested in doing a little gardening. The plots are located in the rear of Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 W. Kirchoff, Arlington Heights. Space is limited. To determine availability, call (847) 392-6650 for information.

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.

Stillman Nature Center: Volunteers are being sought to help in a variety of areas including, landscape maintenance, birds of prey and more. (847) 428-6957 or stillnc@wildblue.net.

Be Citizens for Conservation volunteer: Citizens for Conservation restoration volunteers work from 9-11 a.m. every Thursday and Saturday. Jobs include: sowing legume seed, cutting brush, rescuing native plants and planting sedges. Meet at 459 West Highway 22 in Lake Barrington. Look for the white farmhouse with a silo across from Good Shepherd Hospital. Bring work gloves, dress for the weather, tools provided. For information, call (847) 382-7283.