Lake Co. pets & 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. Deadline is two weeks before event date.

Sept. 19

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.

Flint Creek Fall Festival: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 19, Langendorf Park, 235 Lions Drive, Barrington. Educational activities, face painting, food, prizes, rain barrel and birdhouse giveaways, displays, activities, live native reptiles and amphibians, animal pelts, more. flintcreekwatershed.org.

Sept. 20

HOGS for Dogs Charity Ride: 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, Heartland Animal Shelter, 2975 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. Leisurely 75-mile observation ride to benefit Heartland Animal Shelter includes food, raffle, music and more. Ride ends at Jesse Oaks, 18490 E. Old Gages Lake Road, Gages Lake. For registration information, visit heartlandanimalshelter.net.

Growing Green Minds: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, Brushwood at Ryerson Woods Forest Preserve, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods. Listen to local children's book author Tim Magner read from his books "N is for Nature" and "Earl the Earthworm Digs for His Life" and talk about the wonders of nature. Then, create a nature book to take outside to draw and write about nature. For families with children up to age 8. $5 per child or $15 per family. Register online at LCFPD.org.

Prairie Pik'n: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Learn about prairie restoration and help collect seeds with a naturalist in one of the center's local prairie fields. Hat, sturdy shoes and long pants recommended. (847) 381-6592.

Prairie Woods Audubon field trip: 8-10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, Cuba Marsh, Barrington. See abundant waterfall and early fall migrants. Jim Peterson, photographer and field trip chairman, will lead the trip. Meet in the parking area at 8 a.m., on Cuba Road, west of Ela Road and east of Route 59 or at 7:30 a.m. at the Bank of Palatine, Northwest Highway and Plum Grove Road to carpool. prairiewoodsaudubon.org.

Sept. 21

Prairie Woods Audubon Society field trip: 3-5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, Illinois Beach State Park, Zion. Meet at the North Unit parking lot or at 2 p.m. at the Bank of Palatine, Northwest Highway and Plum Grove Road, to carpool. Cyndi, (847) 776-8713.

Green Thumbs of Barrington Garden Club: 12:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway. Charlene Breitlow presents, "Growing Herbs for Tea." Bring a china tea cup for tasting. Visitors welcome. Call Vicki, (847) 526-5998.

Sept. 22

Bird walks: 8 a.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 22 and 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.

Sept. 24

Star Party: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, Lake Villa Public Library, 1001 E. Grand Ave., Lake Villa. The Lake County Astronomical Society will be on hand with a telescope perfect for seeing the moon and possibly Jupiter, Neptune and Uranus. Free. For information, call (847) 356-7711.

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.

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. 1

Garden Club of South Barrington: Thursday, Oct. 1. Slide presentation, "Garden Rooms Without Walls." Speaker Shirley Remes, Better Homes and Gardens field editor, presents a program on how to create garden rooms in your yard. Call Anita, (847) 277-7151.

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.

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.