Lake Co. pets and nature

Events that involve pets and other animals, plants and nature, 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.

Sept. 25

Stargazing: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, Round Lake Area Public Library, 906 Hart Road, Round Lake. Drop-in family event for all ages. See the moon, stars and planets through the powerful telescopes of the Lake County Astronomical Society. Weather permitting. Free. Call (847) 546-7060 or visit rlalibrary.org.

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.

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.

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.

Sept. 28

Grayslake Greenery Garden Club: 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, State Bank of the Lakes, Grayslake, 50 Commerce Drive, Grayslake. GGGC's first monthly meeting of the new season. Paul Woit will discuss the "Dos and Don'ts of Tree Care and Uncommon Trees for Lake County." All guests are welcome. Call Nancy Rinker, at (847) 223-8485 or visit grayslakegreenerygardenclub.org.

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. 2

Birding 101: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 2 and 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, Stillman nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Class covers the basics of bird identification and introduction to the tools of the trade such as binoculars and field guides. $10; $15 nonmember fee. Required reading: "Finding Your Wings: by Burton Guttman. Bring the book with you. Registration required. (847) 428-6957.

Oct. 3

Blessing of the Animals: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, 2101 E. Route 173, Antioch. Owners of all kinds of animals, from pets to farm livestock, can bring their creatures on a leash or in a trailer, cage or container for the service. For details or to register, call (847) 395-3474.

Oct. 4

Bless the Pets: 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, Peace Luthern Church, 1050 S. Old Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Have pets blessed by the priest of the church. For information, call (815) 444-9203.

Animal Blessing: 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, St. Lawrence Episcopal Church, 125 W. Church St., Libertyville. There will be a special liturgy and blessing, a pet treat bake sale, giveaways for the pets and education booths provided by local pet adoption agencies. There will also be a collection of new or gently used stuffed animals to be donated to needy children. All dogs must be leashed and cats and other small animals must be in carriers or cages. For details, call (847) 362-2110.

Bird Banding open house: 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, Oct. 4, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Mark Spreyer measures, weighs and records data about resident and migratory birds. Free. (847) 428-6957.

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.

Ongoing

Pooch Pantry: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Lake County Animal Control, 29278 N. Highway 83, Mundelein. Accepting donations of dry and canned dog and cat food, treats and domestic bird food; gift cards for PetSmart, Petco, and Pet Supplies Plus; cat litter; resealable plastic bags; and pet welfare goods such as bowls and toys. The Pooch Pantry will be open for families in need from 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. For information, call (847) 566-1960.

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.