Lake Co. nature calendar
March 14
Laughing with the Animals: 10 a.m. Saturday, March 14, Grayslake Area Public Library, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake. Using live creatures, animal artifacts, songs and stories, David Stokes interacts with his audiences and makes learning fun. For information or to register, call (847) 223-5313 or visit grayslake.info.
Business and Community EXPO: 10 a.m .to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 14, Lake Zurich High School, 300 Church St., Lake Zurich. Hosted by the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce. Features more than 120 local businesses and organizations showcasing their newest products and services. Miss Illlinois, Katie Lorenz, will appear at 10:30 a.m. Other highlights include dance perfomances, a magician and Dave Dinaso's Traveleing World of Reptiles. Free and open to public. Visit LakeZurichAreaChamber.com. (847) 438-5155.
Tree tapping hikes: Every half-hour from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through March 22, Ryerson Woods, 21850 N. Riverwoods Road, Deerfield. Take a maple syrup hike with a forest preserve naturalist and learn how sap from the trees is turned into maple syrup. The one-hour hikes are open to all ages. Cost to attend is $5 for Lake County residents, $7 for nonresidents. To register, call (847) 968-3321 or visit LCFPD.org.
March 15
Bird Walks: 8 a.m. Sunday, March 15, and 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.
March 19
Shade Gardening: 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 19, Reed Turner Woodland Nature Center, 3849 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. A master gardener from the University of Illinois Extension will discuss how to evaluate the amount of shade available and choose plants that work in a shade garden. Cost is $15. To register, call (847) 438-4743.
Lincolnshire Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 19, Vernon Hills Public Library at 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Refreshments at 9:30 a.m. followed by a business meeting at 10 a.m. with a program at 10:30 a.m. with slides and discussion on how to keep gardens spectacular all year long. Call Jan Stefans, at (847) 945-6575.
March 20
Astronomy Nights: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, March 20, April 17 and May 15, Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. A 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. No reservations needed. For information, call (815) 344-1294.
March 26
Garden Design and Landscape Basics: 7-9 p.m. Thursday, March 26, University of Illinois Extension office, 100 S. Highway 45, Grayslake. Learn the basics of designing with flowers as well as proper placement of trees and shrubs. Class fee is $7. Advanced registration is required; call (847) 223-8627 or visit lake.extension.uiuc.edu.
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.
March 29
Spay/neuter clinic for homeless cats: Sunday, March 29, April 26 and May 31. Spay and Stay, a Lake County humane organization, will hold a spay and neuter clinic for homeless feral and stray cats on Sunday, March 1. For details and to register for the spay day, call (847) 289-4557, or e-mail info@spayandstay.org. For information about Spay and Stay, visit spayandstay.org.
April 16
Lincolnshire Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 16, Vernon Hills Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. A short video on the Schreiners Iris Garden in Salem, Ore., will be shown. Refreshments begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a business meeting at 10 a.m. and a program at 10:30 a.m. Marge McCannon will share her knowledge on irises. For information, call Jan Stefans, at (847) 945-6575.
April 17
Astronomy Nights: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, April 17 and May 15, Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. A 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. No reservations needed. For information, call (815) 344-1294.
April 26
Spay/neuter clinic for homeless cats: Sunday, April 26 and May 31. Spay and Stay, a Lake County humane organization, will hold a spay and neuter clinic for homeless feral and stray cats on Sunday, March 1. For details and to register for the spay day, call (847) 289-4557, or e-mail info@spayandstay.org. For information about Spay and Stay, visit spayandstay.org.
May 15
Astronomy Night: 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 15, Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. A 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. No reservations needed. For information, call (815) 344-1294.
May 31
Spay/neuter clinic for homeless cats: Sunday, May 31. Spay and Stay, a Lake County humane organization, will hold a spay and neuter clinic for homeless feral and stray cats on Sunday, March 1. For details and to register for the spay day, call (847) 289-4557, or e-mail info@spayandstay.org. For information about Spay and Stay, visit spayandstay.org.
Ongoing
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.