Animals, plants 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. Send items to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com two weeks before event date.

July 4

Orphans of the Storm: 11 a.m. Saturday, July 4, Deersrping Pool, Deerfield. Bring your four-footed friend and walk with Orphans of the Storm in the Deerfield Fourth of July parade. Make sure to bring water for people and animals. For information, visit orphansofthestrom.org.

July 5

Bird Banding: 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, July 5, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Watch Mark Spreyer, a licensed bird bander, measure, weigh and record data about resident and migratory birds. Birds are not caught in a predictable manner, so come prepared to hike the trails. Free. (847) 428-6957 or stillmannc.org.

July 8

Samantha's Amazing Animal Adventure: 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, United Methodist Church, 429 Brainerd Ave., Libertyville. Meet and pet some fascinating animals and watch some of them do tricks. For information or to register, call (847) 362-2330 or visit cooklib.org.

Mammals and More: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, Lake Villa District Library, 1001 E. Grand Ave., Lake Villa. Flying Fox Conservation will teach participants about unique creatures from around the world. Advance registration required. Call (847) 356-7711.

July 9

Read to Rover: 6:15-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Sign up in person at the Ask Here desk on the first floor for a 15-minute one-on-one reading with a therapy dog. No parents or siblings allowed in the room during the session. For grades 1-5. Registration required. For details, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

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.

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.

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.