Lake Co. pets 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. Deadline is two weeks before event date.
July 11
IPRA Wauconda Rodeo: 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, July 11-12, Wauconda Rodeo Grounds, Route 12 and Case Road, Wauconda. $15 at gate, $12 in advance. (847) 526-3610 or waucondarodeo.com.
Garden walk: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 11. Pick up maps and directions at Cook Memorial Library, 114 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville; Freemont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein; or the Wildwood Park District Office, 33325 N. Sears Blvd., Wildwood. A free garden walk will be hosted by the Gardeners of Central Lake County. which will include six specialty gardens in Green Oaks, Libertyville and Wildwood. The garden types are: rose, train, kitchen, sculpture, butterfly and shade. For information, call Susan, at (847) 816-8007 (no addresses will be given over the phone).
Of Bogs and Books: 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11, Volo Bog State Natural Area Visitor Center Library, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Discuss "Henry Chandler Cowles: Pioneer Ecologist," by Victor M. Cassidy. Participants are encouraged to have read at least part of the book (although this is not required). Reservations are requested at dnr.volobog@illinois.gov or (815) 344-1294.
July 13
Summer Horse Camp: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, July 13-24, July 27 to Aug. 7, or Aug. 10-21. Ages 4-12 can learn an appreciation of horses while learning stable management. The cost is $375 per child per 2-week session. For details, call the Lindenhurst Park District, at (847) 356-6011.
Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Walk: 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday, July 13; check-in, map and directions at Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Center, 3851 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Four gardens will be open for the tour, followed by an optional boxed lunch. Reservations are required; there is a fee of $20 ($25 with lunch selection) to benefit woodland gardening internships. For reservations, call Beryl, at (847) 847-7207.
July 15
Plant Clinic: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, Grayslake Area Public Library, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake. Gardening experts from the University of Illinois Extension will be on hand to answer questions. For information or to register, call (847) 223-5313 or visit grayslake.info.
July 16
Once Upon a Bird: 10 a.m. Thursdays, July 16 and Aug. 20, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Hear bird stories and visit a live bird or work on a simple craft. Come dressed to be outside. The program will be done in less than an hour. If it is raining, this activity will be canceled. For ages 4-9. $2 per child, adults are free. For reservations, call (847) 428-6957. Visit stillmannc.org.
July 18
Max Schewitz Foundation event: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18, Wildlife Discovery Center, 1401 Middlefork Drive, Lake Forest. The $10 admission ($30 for a family) includes entrance to all exhibits, hands-on contact with a variety of reptiles, face painting, games, and crafts to take home. The event helps support the Max Schewitz Foundation, which works to help prevent the death of young adults due to sudden cardiac events and to protect threatened reptile species (a passion of Max Schewitz's). For information, visit www.maxandthewildthings.com or call (847) 234-2206.
Long and Low Luau: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, July 18, Doggie Do Rite, 1855 Techny Road, Unit B, Northbrook. Suburban Chicagoland Dachshund Lovers invite dachshunds, dachshund mixes and their friends and families to wear Hawaiian-themed apparel and take part in festivities including a pot luck buffet, swimming races for dogs and hula hoop and limbo contests for people. Attendees can schedule an appointment in advance with "pet communicator" Leann Johnson for an additional fee. Admission is $4 per dog or $4 per household for people attending without dogs. Dogs being fostered for rescue organizations are admitted free. Reservations are required; contact Patti at (847) 949-8455 or patpt1@sbcglobal.net., or visit suburbanchicagolanddachshundlovers.com.
July 26
Bugs and Butterflies: 2 p.m. Sunday, July 26, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Join Stillman's naturalist and search the nature center's woods and fields for butterflies, beetles, grasshoppers and other bugs. If you've got a bug net at home, bring it along. Free. (847) 428-6957 or stillmannc.org.
July 27
Summer Horse Camp: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, July 27 to Aug. 7, or Aug. 10-21. Ages 4-12 can learn an appreciation of horses while learning stable management. The cost is $375 per child per 2-week session. For details, call the Lindenhurst Park District, at (847) 356-6011.
Aug. 10
Summer Horse Camp: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, Aug. 10-21. Ages 4-12 can learn an appreciation of horses while learning stable management. The cost is $375 per child per 2-week session. For details, call the Lindenhurst Park District, at (847) 356-6011.
Aug. 20
Once Upon a Bird: 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Hear bird stories and visit a live bird or work on a simple craft. Come dressed to be outside. The program will be done in less than an hour. If it is raining, this activity will be canceled. For ages 4-9. $2 per child, adults are free. For reservations, call (847) 428-6957. Visit stillmannc.org.
Spring and Summer Plant Clinics: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Master gardeners from the University of Illinois will be on-hand to answer gardening questions and offer advice. This program is free, and registration is not required. For information, call (847) 438-3433.
Aug. 23
Sunday Morning Bird Walks: 8 a.m. Sunday Aug. 23, 33 W. Penny Road. South Barrington. For ages 10 and up (all ages welcome on June 21 in honor of Father's Day). Free morning bird walk. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. If it's raining, the activity will be canceled. To attend, call (847) 428-6957. Visit stillmannc.org.
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.
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.