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.

Snowshoeing at Spring Valley: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. anytime there is at least four inches of snow on the ground at Spring Valley, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Rental fee is $3 per pair for three hours or less and $6 per pair for the entire day. Novices must view a short videotape showcasing proper use and technique. For information, (847) 985-2100.

Feb. 13Restoration volunteers: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, Citizen for Conservation headquarters, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Brush cutting workdays. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring work gloves. For information, call CFC, (847) 382-7283.Spay Day USA: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 and Sunday, Feb. 14, PetSmart, 162 S. Gary Ave., Bloomingdale. Almost Home Foundation will host an educational and informative event about lost cost spay and neuter facilities, promoting responsible pet ownership, and other resources. For information, call Deanne, (847) 977-9774.Lake County Farm Bureau Open House: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, 70 Highway 45, Grayslake. (847) 223-6506.Citizens for Conservation: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway, Barrington. Marcus de la fleur, landscape architect speaks on "One Drop at a Time: water, Sustainability, and Your Garden." Come for coffee at 9 a.m. and stay for a Q A after the program. Donations accepted at the door. RSVP to (847) 382-7283.Feb. 15Arlington Heights Garden Club: 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Gloria, (847) 398-2079 or gardencentral.oeg/illinois/arlingtonheights.Feb. 16Arlington Anglers Fishing Club: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, Dick's Sports Store, Martingale Road, Schaumburg. Sun Times outdoors columnist Dale Bowman talks about Chicago area fishing opportunities. Bob, (630) 688-0995 or arlingtonanglers.com.Native Infusion Landscaping: 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court. Don Guzan discusses native infusion landscaping which uses specific landscaping techniques to maintain curb appeal while reducing the overall use of pesticides and encourages select native plants, insects and small animals to create small, healthy ecosystems. To register, (847) 358-5881, ext. 167 of palatinelibrary.org. Arlington Anglers Fishing Club: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, Dick's Sports, Schaumburg. Steve New of Anglers International talks about the latest fishing tackle products on the market. Door prizes, raffles, fishing reports, more. Call Bob, (630) 688-0995 or alringtonanglers.com.Feb. 17Tri-Village Garden Club: Meets Wednesday, Feb. 17, Hanover Park Branch Library, 4300 Audrey Lane. Annual dues $15. (630) 830-0118 or (630) 289-4253. trivillagegardenclub.org.Feb. 18Garden Club of Inverness: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Michael Nowak, host of a gardening program on ECPT radio, entertain the club with his insights into the gardening world. All gardeners welcome. For information, call Beth, (847) 934-7929.Feb. 19Lake County Astronomical Society: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, Volo Bog Visitor Center, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Audrey Fischer of the International Dark-Sky Association presents, "Light Pollution." (815) 344-1294.Lake County 4-H International Night: 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 W. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Experience 4-H Clubs as they exhibit countries from around the world. Includes Parade of Countries, skits, entertainment. $5; $12 for family of three or more children. (847) 223-8627, ext. 16 or huley@illinois.edu or lake.extension.uiuc.edu.Feb. 20Gardening Prep Workshop: 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, Libertyville sports Complex, 1950 N. Highway 45, Libertyville. Licensed physical therapists from Creative Rehab Center for Sports, Wellness and Rehab will teach you how to get your body ready for the fun and satisfaction of gardening without the aches and pains. Learn to stretch, move, lift and strengthen specifically related to gardening. Free to the public, registration required, call (847) 367-1504.Feb. 24Lake County Astronomical Society moon viewing: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, Ela Area Public Library. View the moon through powerful telescopes. Free for all ages. Events are subject to cancellation for weather-related issues. E-mail contact@lcas-astronomy.org.Feb. 26Northwest Suburban Astronomers: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Drive, Hoffman Estates. "The 2009 Solar Eclipse in China" by Greg Buchwald. Detailed travelogue about Buchwald's journey to China to see a total solar eclipse. Free. visit nsaclub.org.Feb. 27Lincoln State Cat Club Show: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 and Sunday, Feb. 28, Harper College, Roselle and Algonquin roads, Palatine. Fiftieth anniversary show includes "Best in Show, education ring, over 20 vendor booths. $8; children under 6 free. Visit lscats.org.March 2Four Seasons Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 2, Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway. Informative and interesting presentation by Don Guzman on native infusion landscaping. Call Alena, (847) 438-3981or alenagust@comcast.net.Garden Club of Lake Zurich: 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 22480 Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods. "Perfect Perennials for Perpetual Color for Real Lazy Gardeners," presented by Greg Bartoshuk, award winning Master Gardener and day lily hybridizer and judge. For information, (847) 550-0329.March 4South Barrington Garden Club: Thursday, March 4, South Barrington Park District, 3 Tennis Club Lane, South Barrington. Speaker Patricia Armstrong provides a slide presentation on edible trees, shrubs, wildflowers and weeds. Armstrong has a cookbook available and will advise on how to turn these wild plants into tasty foods for your table. Anita, (847) 277-7151.March 6Chicago Audubon Society: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, March 6, North Park University, 3225 W. Foster Ave., Chicago. Chicago Audubon Society brings together local, national and international birding experts at Birding America VIII. Includes speakers, special guests, more. $20-$50. Lunch can be ordered for $12. Free parking. Call (773) 539-6793 or chicagoaudubon.org.March 8Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Club meets: Monday, March 8, Reed Turner Nature Center, 3851 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Club offers gardening programs, events, projects and filed trip to all levels of gardeners. For information, call Ivy, (847) 800-5000.March 10Wheeling Garden Club: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, Pavilion Senior Center, 199 N. First St., Wheeling. Chris (847) 537-8642.March 18Garden Club of Inverness: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 18, All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. All gardeners welcome for a program of interest. Beth, (847) 934-7929.March 20Spring Flower Show: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday March 20, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Celebrate the arrival of spring with over 30 exhibitors, product demonstrations and free educational seminars all day. (847) 359-1080.March 27Hound Egg Hunt: 11 a.m. Saturday, March 27, Towne Square, 150 W. Palatine Road, Palatine. For ages 16 and over with dog. Dogs hunt for eggs filled with treats and have a picture taken with the bunny $6 per dog in advance. Call (847) 991-0333 for information or to register. 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.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.